Triton College celebrates Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
Hundreds of students enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL), high school equivalency, citizenship and other courses turned out for Triton College's kickoff celebration of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week on Sept. 23.
In celebrating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, Triton joins other colleges and organizations to heighten public awareness, strengthen alliances, leverage resources and increase understanding of the vital role that adult education and family literacy plays in our nation's well-being.
The Adult Education programs serve as part of the college's mission to improve workplace and employability skills, increase college readiness and improve college completion for local residents. Triton College President Mary-Rita Moore commended students for their persistence and commitment to their educational and professional goals.
"We understand that many of you have overcome various challenges in your lives to make a better future for yourselves and your families," President Moore said. "You've shown character and fortitude by pursuing your education as a means of creating a better life for yourself and all of those who are important to you."
Uranbaigal Ganbol, the featured student speaker at the kickoff celebration, enrolled in ESL courses at Triton College two years ago. She immigrated to the United States from Mongolia ten years ago, and has a degree in finance from her home country. Ganbol now wants to pursue a career in accounting.
"Each level (of ESL classes) you finish, you learn more, you communicate better, so people understand you better and it makes you happier and very satisfied," Ganbold said during her remarks.
Ganbol received the Triton College Board of Trustees Scholarship in addition to enrolling in Triton's new CareeReady program.
CareeReady was developed by Triton College's Adult Education Department. The program, launched in 2018, allows adult education students who possess degrees from their native country to pursue industry-recognized credentials. CareeReady also offers business writing and pronunciation tutoring to help students develop employability skills, and offers support to aid them in their job search.
During the kickoff celebration Triton's dean of Adult Education, Jacqueline Lynch, stressed the college's commitment to supporting Adult Education students. She encouraged students to consider their next steps in their educational and professional journeys.
"Getting a GED or learning English is not the end," she said during remarks. "We want you to think about what's coming next. Do you want to go to college? Do you want to enter a job-training program? Do you want to get a job or do you want to get a better job?"
As a part of Triton's commitment to educating and serving the community, the college offers ESL, high school equivalency, citizenship and college transition courses to students at no or minimal cost. Students have access to a variety of support services, including completion and transition specialists who help keep students on their chosen path toward enrolling as a credit student at Triton College or entering the workforce.
For more information on Triton College's Adult Education programs, call (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3259 or 3513, or visit the Adult Education Department located in the A Building, Room A-203. Prospective students can also visit: https://www.triton.edu/adult-education/