Center for Community Career Education
. . . . . . .Creating Future Possibilities
The Alfred P. Sloan Award honors organizations that use workplace flexibility to meet both business and employee goals. The winners scored in the 80-90 percentile as measured against a representative sampling of employers across the country. In a word, the award means that the honorees are doing better in their flexibility policies and practices than 80-90 percent of companies across the nation. The Center for Community Career Education is a proud recipient of the Alfred P. Sloan Award.
Mission Statement. . . . .
The Center for Community Career Education is dedicated to educate, support and inspire individuals to achieve their potential.
Vision Statement. . . . .
We are a team of leaders committed to delivering world class educational services and products for career and organizational development.
Guiding Principles. . . .
- The Center is guided by honesty, integrity and respect in its internal and external relationships.
- Our staff is our most valuable resource.
- As Center growth provides opportunities to train others in service delivery and to branch into new areas, we remain dedicated to providing quality direct service as our foundation.
- We value competence and quality, and expect the best from ourselves for our customers.
- High performance of staff is driven by a focus on using individual strengths, maximizing personal satisfaction and maintaining value alignment.
- Flexibility and dedication to our customers are key to our success.
- Teamwork is critical for the Center to reach its goals. "None of us is as smart as all of us."
- The Center cannot operate in isolation; we value collaboration and partnerships.
- In striving to achieve the purpose expressed in our mission and the realization of our vision, we will cultivate the habit "Put First Things First", by identifying priorities as well as by organizing and managing time and events.
- Goal achievement is best accomplished when individuals are empowered with self-confidence and knowledge and when they take personal responsibility for themselves. The Center will be guided by this principle and the value of lifelong learning in the design and delivery of all services.
- Career growth is enhanced when individuals focus and build on strengths while learning to manage weaknesses.
History. . . . .
The Center for Community Career Education is a non-profit, career and educational counseling and training center within the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Providing direct service to individuals as well as technical assistance to organizations and agencies allows the Center to apply its skills in the classroom and share "best practices" with many non-profit and for profit organizations.
Established in 1980, the Center has worked with thousands of individuals in Chattanooga and across the region. A staff of qualified and dedicated professionals assists adults and youth who are in a significant life transition: returning to work or college, enrolling in college for the first time, or seeking their first job. The Center staff also assists organizations anticipating change or interested in improving their current procedures.
Staff Profiles. . . . .
Sandy Cole, Director, Center for Community Career Education
Sandy Cole is the Director of the Center for Community Career Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Established in 1980, the Center is a non-profit career and educational training center. The Center has served over 24,000 individuals in its history and secured nearly $14 million dollars in funding. The Center provides college access services and career development services in 8 counties of Tennessee and Georgia. Her experience includes five years as an admission’s officer, seven years as assistant director of registration and seven years as associate director of continuing education. Her higher education experience includes both 2-year and 4-year institutions.
Ms. Cole has a B.S. is Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and an ED.S. in Educational Technology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Cynthia Wallace, Project Director, Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)
Responsible as director for providing educational outreach and counseling for the Southern Appalachian Educational Opportunity Center which assists low-income, potential first generation college students pursuing post-secondary education. Experience includes four years in educational planning and administration, eleven years in family support coordination and counseling with the U.S. Department of the Army, and an internship in employment and career counseling. Certified to interpret the Myers Briggs Type Indicator by Consulting Psychologist Press. Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Wendy Yates , Program Coordinator, Wendy Yates
Responsible for working in partnership with Howard School of Academics and Technology to implement Leading Youth To Success (LYTS), a comprehensive delinquency prevention and intervention program for high school students. Will work to increase opportunities for youth to spend time in career exploration activities, self-esteem and self awareness building exercises, social skills building, recreation and civic engagement.
Twyler Boykin, Project Director, Upward Bound Math Science (PRISM)
Responsible as director of the Upward Bound Math Science: PRISM program which is designed to strengthen and further develop the math and science skills of participating area high school students and encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in these fields. Experience includes five years as an Academic Counselor and as a Disabilities Academic Coordinator working with students building individual education plans and serving as advocate for students with disabilities, hiring and training individuals to work with disabled students. Also served as a school psychologist intern in the Hamilton County and State of Tennessee educational systems. Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Recreatiion Specialist, Master of Science Degree in Psychology (Concentration in School Counseling) from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Currently pursuing a Master of Education Degree in Counseling (Concentration in School Counseling).
Christopher Stokes, Project Coordinator, Upward Bound Math Science (PRISM)
Responsible for assisting the Project Director in coordinating program activities promoting interest in the fields of math and science. Also responsible for coordinating activities that encourage students' successful progress in high school. Experience includes coordinating mentors for at risk 14-18 year old youth meeting low-income requirements in area schools and promoting activities for them that build academic and work readiness skills, tutoring and mentoring. Bachelor's Degree from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Currently pursuing a Master's of Education Degree in School Counseling.
Catherine Brown , Education Advisors
Responsible for providing educational outreach and counseling for the Southern Appalachian Educational Opportunity Center which assists low-income, potential first generation college students pursuing post-secondary education. Outreach focus in the six county service area includes Marion, Sequatchie and Hamilton counties in Tennessee, and Dade County, Georgia.
Debby Corey, Program Resource Specialist
Responsible for offering computer and technology support to the Educational Opportunity Center. Also responsible for keeping department financial records, purchasing and support for miscellaneous special projects as needed. Experience includes twenty-two years' experience in purchasing, accounts receivable/payable, customer service, sales, and technical support.
Melinda Lomenick, Accounting Specialist
Responsible for management and coordination of support services area; financial accounting functions and related funding source reports and invoices; budget analysis and projections; monitoring and informing staff of regulations and guidelines for both the University and funding sources. Experience includes 26 years in office management, as well as accounting experience in retail, media and private companies.
Ruby Watkins, Administrative Support, Upward Bound Math Science (PRISM)
Responsible for processing documents, mail distribution, ordering office supplies, maintenance of equipment inventory and program files. Experience includes fifteen years as a senior procurement clerk processing purchase orders and invoices, four years in administrative support, as well as several years teaching low-income students in the community.
Student Assistants
The Center typically employs 5-6 students per semester. They are a vital part of our support services area. They provide assistance with general office procedures, as well as gaining valuable work experience. Student assistants are supervised by and work directly with the individual secretaries.
