Program aims at transitioning women into new life roles
by Sandy Stamper
south news editor

   Part 1 in a four-part series on the Women in New Roles program on all TCC campuses.)
   A former college teacher who saw a need to help women who were struggling to fit in at college has seen that need met now on all TCC campuses.
   The Women in New Roles program, now in its 27th year at TCC, is rapidly increasing and attempting to benefit many types of women.
Emily Lunday Garrett, who calls herself a product of the “trophy-wife” era where men divorced their wives to marry much younger women, started the program on South Campus in 1978.
   On NW Campus, Garrett served as director of student publications and then moved to South Campus as a counselor.
   Garrett holds a bachelor’s degree in English as well as graduate degrees in journalism and counseling.
   During her experience at TCC, Garrett noticed many of her students were women who were returning to college or looking to start a career.
   Garrett, in an interview with Projection, the district magazine, elaborated on what ultimately became the WINR program.
   “The women’s movement was well underway, and many women were there (at college) by choice. Others were not. They had been forced into roles they had never filled. Many lacked confidence and a sense of direction,” she said.
   When Garrett retired, Triesha Light, South Campus associate professor of psychology and a licensed professional counselor, took responsibility of the WINR program.
   WINR consists of a six-hour credit program in which the student will reestablish confidence as well as have a career plan established.
   Students take Human Rela-tions and Applied Psychology, PSYC 1301-24665 and PSYC 2302-24667, in block format that help them answer the questions: Where am I now? Where have I been? Where am I going?
   As part of the program, students may participate in different activities to enhance the college experience as well as help them in the achievement of their long-term goals.
   The program is designed for women ages 17 to 78 who want to be empowered or wish to attend college, even though they may have extenuating circumstances.
   As with any college experience, money is sometimes an issue that determines if college is even an option.
   The WINR program provides scholarships for women who are interested in attending college.
   The program provides many support groups such as Women’s Well-Being, Motherless Daugh-ters, Anger Management, New Horizons and a Health Forum.
   Instructors in the WINR program include Dr. Marisa Garcia-Luna on SE Campus, Anita Peters and Dr. Paula Vastine on the NE Campus, Carol Hunsberger on the NW Campus and Light, coordinator on South Campus.
   As well as support groups, scholarships and classes, WINR provides seminars, forums, a Women’s Symposium, newsletter and a supportive WINR Network.
   March is Women’s History Month, and WINR is a big part of the celebration of women during this month, planning and supporting many women-friendly activities.
   Plans include a reception, an Entrepreneurial Expo, exhibits, forums, a play, concerts, seminars, the Women’s Symposium and a multicultural extravaganza. During this month, time is set aside to celebrate women in various aspects of people’s lives and their contributions to society.
   The Women’s Symposium will be Saturday, March 27, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the South Campus Rotunda SRTA auditorium.
   Laveria Bogan is the student chair of the event, Women on the Move—Rising to the Occasion.
   The event is free and open to students and the community and will have exhibits, educational displays, TCC department exhibits, WINR program information and displays and community outreach exhibits.
   In 2002, WINR celebrated its 25-year anniversary, and Light presented Garrett with the Eagle Achievement Award.
   TCC Chancellor Leonardo de la Garza, in an interview with Projection, recognized the success of the WINR program.
   “WINR is truly one of TCC’s success stories. There is no finer example of helping students than the WINR program. It teaches women to use their innate abilities to take charge of their lives and their careers,” he said.
   Over the years WINR has evolved into multiple programs such as the SE Campus New Horizons program and the NE Campus New Beginnings program, which attempt to meet the needs of adults, particularly women. Now all campuses have the WINR program.
   Between the years of 1978 to 2002, more than 2,500 women have successfully completed the WINR program, which continues to foster the retention and educational achievement of all women.
   Karen Perkins, director of the Women’s Center of Tarrant County and a frequent speaker for WINR, said, “WINR creates a supportive learning experience where women can think about their lives, explore ideas and make productive choices about their future.”
   Former student, Alynda Bon-ham, a single mother of five children, described her experience with the WINR program.
   “Nine years ago I made a life-changing decision when I separated from my husband. For nine years I waited tables. I worked three jobs. Having completed WINR, I have self-confidence where I once had self-doubts. The class empowers a person. I know my life will forever be changed because I dared to step off the crazy roller coaster path I was living and make one small step foreword to change,” Bonham said in Projection magazine.
   Maria Gutierrez, a student, tells of the changes the WIN-R program has made in her life.
   “The program turned my life around, from being down on myself and not having any direction, to being excited about life and learning. Having purpose and direction makes life exciting. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful program in Tarrant County available at TCC,” she said.
   For more information on the WINR program, visit its Web site at www.tccd.edu/win-r or contact Light at 817-515-4740, Luna at 817-515-3578, Vastine at 817-515-6456, Peters at 817-515-6985 or Hunsberger at 817-515-7228.