Program to assist women in transition
by Diana de Leon, feature editor

    The NE Campus is on the verge of implementing a new program to help empower women experiencing life changes and assist them in transition.

   New Beginnings, which starts in January, is a credit program for women who may not have a clear sense of the direction that their lives are going.

   “It is a wonderful program,” Anita Peters, counselor and head of the NE program, said.

   The program is designed to assist women returning to school.

   To register for this program, women need to qualify for admission to the college and NE Campus.

   The program answers three questions: where have I been, where am I now and where am I going?

   Many women are intimidated by the thought of attending college classes after so many years either at home raising their children or in the workforce.

   Returning to school often is threatening and intimidating, and many women need support to get their lives in order for such a drastic change.
“How will I write the next chapter in my life?” Peters said. “This program helps you to answer this question.”

   The program consists of two courses, which are taken together, Psychology 1301, Human Rela-tions, and Psychology 2302, Psychology of Work.

   The classes are taught in a non-traditional manner, which makes for a different atmosphere.

   The program is modeled after the South Campus Women In New Roles (WIN-R) program on the headed by Triesha Light.

   “The classes are more active than passive,” Light said.

   Traditional classes where students take notes, listen to lectures and have written assignments are replaced by more active, hands-on ways of learning.

   “Creative focus brings new understanding,” Light said.

   “There are workshops, seminars, focus groups and guest speakers, and we also use music,” she said.

   This college credit course, though taught untraditionally, includes mid-term tests and final exams.

   The program offers assistance with testing, counseling, career placement, Internet orientation, networking and mentoring.

   “We are not a women’s program,” Light said. “We are a recruitment, retention and success program.”

   The course of study includes enrichment activities, individual projects and group projects, providing the participants options for expressing personal power and ability.

   “The woman herself is the focus of learning,” Light said. “Confidence and skills are developed.”

   The mentoring program matches new students with mentors who help the student adjust to the program and serve as guides and role models.

   The program also has support groups and a WIN-R network, which meet during the fall and spring semesters.

   The students work so closely together that they form friendships and often study together and meet for lunch or dinner, Light said.

   Since its inception in 1978 by Emily Lunday, counselor, the program has grown so much that waiting lists are common.

   “The growth of the program is just wonderful,” Light said.

   More than 2,500 women have gone through the WIN-R program on the South Campus with ages of students ranging from 17 to 78.

   Peter is pleased that New Beginnings will start on NE Campus.
“I very much believe in this program,” Peters said.

   The program exists on SE Campus under the name New Horizons.

   The programs are the same, but the different names allow each campus to have its own identity.

   The three campuses have formed a consortium called New Horizons and New Beginnings for WIN-R.

   “We refer students to the campus closest to where they live. By working together, the campuses can access more students,” Light said.

   The 25th anniversary of the WIN-R program will be celebrated with a banquet Friday, Oct. 25.

   For more information on the NE New Beginnings program, contact Anita Peters at 817-515-6985.

   For information on WIN-R on South Campus, contact Triesha Light at 817-515-4740.

   For information about the SE New Horizons program, contact Dr. Marisa Garcia-Luna at 817-515-3578.