The career coaching pilot program overseen by Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus was recognized by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Education during an event at the Arkansas State Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 1.
“On behalf of the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you for being recognized as an outstanding career coach program model,” wrote Ross White, director of the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education, in a letter to Dr. Sheila Jacobs, ATU-Ozark Campus interim chancellor, in a letter notifying her of the honor. “Your dedication, passion and innovative approach to CTE have significantly impacted the lives of countless students, equipping them with invaluable skills and knowledge for their future careers.”
Thursday’s gathering at the capitol served as the statewide kickoff to Career and Technical Education Month.
The ATU-Ozark career coaching pilot program provides 12 career coaches. They are serving multiple K-12 school districts as part of an ATU outreach to seven Arkansas counties.
Jacobs is guiding the K-12 career coaching pilot program overseen by ATU-Ozark and is principal investigator and supervisor for a career coaching grant through the Arkansas Division of Career and Technical Education.
She was joined at the capitol on Thursday by Hannah Hays, career coach at Johnson County Westside and Mulberry schools; Melanie Dean, career coach at Ozark School District; Robin Carlton, career coach at Clarksville School District; and Erin Aylor, career coach at Russellville School District. All four are in their second year as a career coach as part of the outreach.
In addition to those schools, the ATU-Ozark career coaching program also serves students at Alma, Cedarville, County Line, Hackett, Paris, Van Buren, Waldron and Arkansas Tech Career Center.
Jacobs noted that Guy-Fenter Educational Service Cooperative is a “key partner” in the success of the program.
“The Arkansas career coaching program is a phenomenal, high-impact program that provides direct career education services to students as they prepare and transition to their post-secondary plans,” said Jacobs. “The program focuses on providing greater exposure to work-based learning, alignment of aptitudes to education and career options, increased networking with industry and community stakeholders and a comprehensive approach to the integration of experiential, individualized learning. ATU is excited about the expansion of this program.”
Jacobs said that the ATU-Ozark career coaching program has applied for an expansion grant from the Arkansas Division of Career and Technical Education. If approved, the program will add career coaches at Lamar, Mountainburg, Greenwood, Booneville and Pottsville (Arch Ford).
Learn more about ATU-Ozark Campus at www.atu.edu/ozark.
