Orientation set for Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
"Anybody working in a licensed early education and care program, including family childcare providers, preschool or Head Start staff, can get financial support for continuing their education at the college level," says Kim Audette, Academic Advisor at Greenfield Community College. Higher education is a key component of the new Department of Early Education and Care's professional development strategy to enlist highly qualified teachers to work with young children and to help increase quality and wages across the board, notes Audette.
The grant-funded program, called Building Careers in Education (BCE), supports providers in gaining their Associate Degrees. The program helps participants succeed through assistance that includes: " free tuition, " evening and online courses and advising, and " individual support geared towards helping students balance work, school and family.
This opportunity will be explained more fully at an orientation session on Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m., in Room East 111 (East Building) at Greenfield Community College. "It is a chance for people who work with children to further their education for minimal cost in a supportive and welcoming environment," says Audette.
The meeting is open to anyone who is working in a licensed preschool, Head Start or family day care program who is interested in obtaining an associate's degree. Refreshments will be served.
For more information or to register, please contact Kim Audette at (413) 775-1270 or audettek@gcc.mass.edu
Walter Nieliwocki of Somers, Connecticut has been appointed Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Greenfield Community College, announced Daniel LaRose, Interim Associate Dean of Behavioral Sciences. Professor Nieliwocki has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. and a Master's Degree in the Administration of Justice from Trinity College in Vermont.
He brings an extensive criminal justice background to his new position, including service with the Connecticut State Police, Chief of Police for the City of Winooski, VT, and Director of Security at the Holyoke Mall. In addition, he has taught at police academies in Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts, has been an adjunct instructor at Greenfield Community College for nine years and chaired its criminal justice program for the last two years. In his new position, he will teach criminal justice courses and continue to chair the program which, with close to 100 students, is one of the largest departments at GCC.
"Not only does GCC's Criminal Justice Program prepare students academically," Professor Nieliwocki says, "but we also provide opportunities for students to visit criminal justice agencies, such as police departments, courts and correctional institutions. Students interact with the professionals who work in these agencies and are able to observe the practical side of a job in which they may be interested. Often, this experience turns into an internship at one of the agencies."
"In addition, students may participate in mock investigations and criminal trials
which are often enriched by the involvement of actual criminal justice professionals. Students are able to get the 'feel' for various criminal justice positions by filling the roles of investigators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victims, witnesses, and suspects. We even bring in citizens from the local area to act as jurors. It's about as realistic as it can get." says Nieliwocki.
According to Professor Nieliwocki, "career opportunities in criminal justice areas are varied and well-paying, particularly since 9/11." For additional information about the criminal justice program at GCC, Walter Nieliwocki may be reached at (413) 775-1136 or e-mailed at nieliwocki@gcc.mass.edu.
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