The first group of participants has graduated from The Resource Center Corporate College, a joint endeavor between Jamestown Community College and TRC.
In a recent ceremony, six employees of The Resource Center were honored for completing a two-year program which consisted of 18 hours of credit coursework and 36 hours of non-credit workshops and seminars. The graduates included Diane Cornell, an activity leader at TRC's Day Program; John DePane, staff development specialist; Rita Ferraloro, manager of the Diagnostic & Treatment Center; Kathy Peterson-VanHorn, habilitation specialist; Rischell Pratt, receptionist at TRC's administrative offices; and Stephanie Runge, medication technician.
The second group of students is currently entering its second year of programming, which includes credit courses in business, communication, and English and non-credit coursework in areas such as employee motivation and leadership. A third cohort of students will begin the program in fall 2013.
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The Resource Center Corporate College graduates included Diane Cornell, John DePane, Rita Ferraloro, Kathy Peterson-VanHorn, Rishell Pratt, and Stephanie Runge along with Paul Cesana, executive director of The Resource Center, left, and Marilyn Zagora, Jamestown Community College’s vice president and dean of academic affairs, right.
Begun in fall 2010, TRC Corporate College is designed to promote educational opportunities that benefit employees and, ultimately, The Resource Center through enhanced employee skills. Participants attend classes on their own time during JCC's spring and fall semesters and summer sessions.
Participants took placement tests to determine math, reading, and writing levels. Individuals also received remediation, if needed, to prepare them for credit classes.
Topics chosen are pertinent to TRC's mission. TRC is an employee-centered company with a long history of encouraging employees to move forward within the organization and to further their education with the goal of receiving a degree.
"The partnership between JCC and TRC has grown tremendously over the past few years," said Delana Rupp, assistant director of JCC's Center for Continuing Education. "In addition to providing customized training for TRC employees, Corporate College is a next step to not only ensure a workforce that meets the needs of the organization, but one that truly puts the individual first. As both organizations were working together to design this program, one of the many goals of Corporate College was that it would enhance the participants personally as they give back to their families, friends, and communities."