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Principal discusses importance of middle college health care programs
By DUANE M. ELLING
Genesee County is one of six Michigan communities selected by the state to launch a middle college-style educational program to help young people explore and prepare for careers in health care. The Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) and several local partners — including the district’s Mott Middle College (MMC) and the University of Michigan-Flint — began enrolling area students in the Genesee Early College (GEC) in July 2007. Sandra Morgan-Jones is principal of the GEC. In her own words, she discusses the program and its role in creating life opportunities for local youth.
“As principal of the GEC, I believe in the incredible opportunities the program offers to the young people of Genesee County. The students gain a wide range of skills, training and experience they need to enter a promising career in health care, whether it’s as a nurse, a pharmacist, a surgeon or a hospital administrator.
“The students are chosen from across the economic and social spectrum, including high-potential kids from low-income neighborhoods. The program is academically and personally challenging, and requires a genuine commitment on the part of these young people.
“The GEC also should help ease the often stressful transition from high school to college, which is when many students abandon the idea of higher education. As a result, we believe these youth will be more likely to stay with their studies and earn a degree.
“Of course, in the same way a traditional high school isn’t the right match for every student, a ‘cookie-cutter’ program won’t be the right match for every community. In that regard, having MMC right here in Flint has been incredibly helpful in putting the GEC together.
“For years, MMC Principal Cheri Wagonlander and her staff have been opening doors of educational opportunity to kids throughout Genesee County. Their experience, insights and assistance have been instrumental to creating this new, health care-focused program.
“Overall, the GEC’s first year is turning out incredibly well. The young people who’ve enrolled are incredibly excited over the opportunities the program presents, and several community partners have stepped forward to help make it successful.
“We’ve also faced some important challenges, such as ensuring that the educational curriculum stays closely aligned with the programmatic goals, and figuring out the best way to market the program to the community. But again, Cheri and other MMC staff help us understand those issues and make sure the GEC stays on the right track.
“Success with these initial early-college programs could lead to replications that focus on other growing fields, such as engineering and the bio-economy. By ensuring that more students have the experience, training and education necessary to succeed in the labor market, we can strengthen our families and neighborhoods.
“I believe these programs will be key to moving Michigan forward. We owe it to our young people and our communities, especially in tough economic times, to develop the very best strategies we can to prepare them for the future.”