Adult Education Completers Represent Perseverance and Commitment to Education
SAN DIEGO – Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park houses the joint commencement ceremony for San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) and San Diego Unified School District’s Adult High School Diploma Program. SDCE is awarding 3,802 vocational certificates and 151 high school diplomas. Approximately 300 students are expected to participate in the traditional ceremony on Friday, May 29 at 5 p.m.
“The joint ceremony recognizes achievement beyond the traditional education system,” said Rudy Kastelic, Interim President at San Diego Continuing Education. “Many adult students have returned to the classroom after years of being away from education, and in some cases, decades.”
Student speaker Alysaun Knox is an example of perseverance and commitment to education. Knox moved to San Diego at age 17 and realized that as a high school dropout, her options for high-paying job opportunities would be limited. After more than a decade of unfulfilling work and a domestic violence relationship that resulted in her children being taken away from her, she decided to make changes that would allow her to be more in control of her life, including finishing high school.
“I’ve been waiting for this for almost 15 years,” said Knox who is now age 31. “Everyone knew I had the potential, it was really just me that never did anything about it, but it’s never too late to do something you want to do.”
DIVERSITY
SDCE is one the most diverse adult education institutions in the United States. One half of the students attending classes in the spring 2014 semester indicated the United States as their country of origin
(13,294 students), but the other 50% come from 151 countries, including thousands of students from Mexico, Vietnam, China, and the Philippines; and as few as one or two students represent countries such as Gambia, Madagascar, Norway, Rwanda and Monaco.
TRANSITION TO COLLEGE
SDCE has been recognized as a state leader in providing adult education that helps students transition to college. The faculty and staff support and counsel students who are looking to further education after they complete a high school diploma or equivalency, or a Job Training/Certificate Program that leads to higher education such as an AA degree.
More than 100 graduates received scholarship gifts totaling $25,850, which can help students manage higher education costs.
“Receiving a scholarship is a significant recognition,” said Dr. Brian Ellison, Vice President for Instruction and Student Services at SDCE. “In many cases the award will help students continue higher education at City, Mesa or Miramar College.”
ECONOMIC IMPACT
As reported in the Economic Impact on Region prepared by Economic Modeling Specialists, SDCCD plays a significant role in the local economy and is a sound investment from multiple perspectives. Students benefit from improved lifestyles and increased earnings. Taxpayers benefit from a larger economy and lower social costs. Finally, the community as a whole benefits from increased job and investment opportunities, higher business revenues, greater availability of public funds, and an eased tax burden.
