Continue to Advance: Kennesaw State University
The College of Continuing and Professional Education serves nearly 17,000 students annually at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. The school offers more than 50 professional certificate programs and over 350 online courses. The college is housed in KSU Center, the site for classroom coursework, a place for educational conferences, and a facility for companies to conduct advanced training for their employees.
The college’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute provides educational and social opportunities for adults age 50 and older. The academic courses are college-level, but without homework, term papers, and tests. The courses cover everything from personal computers to fitness for life and visual arts.
The college’s Summer University combines learning and enjoyment. From rising first graders through twelfth graders, there are courses for every age. Camps focus on such subjects as art, history, science, drama, and technology.
The College of Continuing and Professional Education values the service that veterans give to the United States, and it helps them transition to civilian life. The college has hired veterans, and it offers VA education benefits. The school utilizes the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program, which offers up to $4,000 to military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses, or credentials leading to employment in portable fields.
“We respect our veterans not only on our staff, but also as our students,” said Barbara Calhoun, dean of the college. “We have nearly 40 professional certificate programs that qualify for VA education benefits. We feel it’s our duty to provide programs for our men and women who have served our country. Those programs include Construction Project Management, Culinary Apprenticeship, Meeting and Event Management, Project Management, and Medical Assisting.”
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>**A VETERAN SUCCESS | TRACY JORDAN-ALIBACHUS**
One of the veterans working at The College of Continuing and Professional Education is Tracy Jordan-Alibachus. She served in the United States Air Force for five years, separating as a sergeant in 1991.
In January 2016, she joined the college as a program manager; she coordinates components of the professional development courses in the management section. This is her second stint working at the institution; she was previously employed by the university from 1996 to 2005.
In the Air Force, Jordan-Alibachus worked in logistics/traffic as a management officer and a U.S. Customs officer. Her first job after the military was as assistant manager of outbound freight at a major trucking company.
“Having that experience in the military made the position natural to me,” she said. “I understood the industry, and having job skills helped land the first job.”
Jordan-Alibachus also acquired a great understanding of diversity in the workplace while in the Air Force. This understanding and the management and organization skills that she acquired have translated well into her current job as program manager.
Her advice to servicemembers who are thinking about leaving the military and looking for civilian opportunities: Do your homework. “Do the research and look for companies that have core values that you follow,” she said. “Advance in your military career field. Look at all of the career options in that field in the civilian market, and try to mold your military career to fit the best of them.”