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Phi Theta Kappa President encourages students to pledge to complete degrees/certificates

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society At Washtenaw Community College To Host “Commit To Completion” Event On Nov. 5

 

WCC Students To Sign Pledge To Complete Associate’s Degree or Certificates Before Leaving Campus

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WCC President Dr. Rose Bellanca, WCC Administrators, Faculty And Staff To Support Student Pledges  

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WHAT: To support the statistics that show the surest way to land a job in their chosen field is to finish college and earn a degree of certificate – WCC students will sign pledges to complete their associate degrees or certificates before leaving the community college setting – either by transferring to a four-year university or to enter the job market.

The event is spearheaded by the WCC Student Services Division and officers of the WCC Phi Theta Kappa chapter – led by chapter president Deanna Benyo. The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is serving as the student arm of the Community College Completion Challenge, a national initiative.

President Obama has called for community colleges to produce an additional 5 million degrees and certificates over the next 10 years – part of a goal to restore the United States as the world’s leader in college graduates.  

 

WHEN/WHERE: Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Room, located on the first floor of the WCC Student Center Building – at the Huron Drive campus.

There is no charge to sign a commitment pledge.

 

WHY:  “After many years of raising my family, supporting my husband’s military, college and professional career, it was finally my turn to go to college. In 2011, at the age of 46, I became a first time college student, setting out to pursue an associate’s degree,” said Benyo. “It was initially daunting to adjust to the academic environment – and I was blessed to have a support system, both in my family and at WCC – to help guide my way,” Benyo continued. “The support is crucial, especially with community college students who often have work and home responsibilities to juggle. It’s vitally important for WCC students to take the formal step to ‘commit to complete’ their WCC studies – and tell the world they believe in their capabilities to bring their studies here to a credentialed completion.

The best words a WCC student can hear are, “I did it” – and we’re here to help make those pledges become real.”

 “We are deeply honored to host this very special event,” said Peter Leshkevich, director of student development and activities at WCC. “Students who complete their degrees or certificates will earn an average of $500,000 more over the course of their careers than their peers who did not complete,” he continued.  “In fact, 60% of jobs by 2020 will require a college credential. In addition, individuals with college credentials are less likely to become unemployed in contrast with their co-workers who did not earn credentials. We do whatever is needed, to support our students along their very important academic journey. Every student counts.”  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Twelve Commitment Stations will be situated on the first floor of the Student Center – connecting students with vital academic support resources. All students who complete a pledge will be entered to win a $100 WCC bookstore credit.

 

Prior to and during the event, WCC administrators, faculty, staff and students will be wearing “Got Commitment” stickers as a way to increase awareness of the “Commit To Complete” program.

Banners will be available for students to sign – which will hang prominently on campus.

Students are also encouraged to make a video pledge – which will be uploaded to YouTube – and then e-mailed to a student’s friends and family members.

For more information about the Community College Completion Challenge visit, www.cccompletioncorps.org.  

[Editor’s note: WCC Phi Theta Kappa President Deanna Benyo and WCC Director of Student Development and Activities Peter Leshkevich, are available for interviews. Contact Susan Ferraro at snferraro@wccnet.edu or (734) 922-5568.]

[Media contact: Susan Ferraro, (734) 922-5568, snferraro@wccnet.edu]

[Attachments: Photo of WCC Phi Theta Kappa President Deanna Benyo.]

 For more information about WCC, visit www.wccnet.edu. To receive updates on WCC activities, events and programs, visit http://tinyw.cc/sda.

Washtenaw Community College (WCC) has made education accessible and affordable for the local community for 48 years. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, the College offers over 120 degrees and certificates, an open door admission policy and affordable tuition rates. WCC is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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