Student Profile: Cindy Kirtland

When a window of opportunity opened up, Cindy Kirtland decided to return to school and enter the Interior Design Program at CPTC. She did not see her age as making a difference, and neither did her peers or instructors. Cindy believes that effort is required in order to reach your dreams, and that the 18 months she spent reaching for hers would have gone by regardless of whether or not she attended school.

Student Profile: Dave Bartle

After the poor economy negatively affected his previous job, Dave Bartle decided to go back to school as a Plus 50 student. Dave chose the Heating and Air Conditioning Service Technician program because it sounded like the perfect fit for his situation and personality. While pursuing the program degree, Dave accomplished things he never thought he would and discovered that the instructors at CPTC do not want students to fail. Dave's advice to other Plus 50 adults is that life is a learning process, and it is never too late no matter how old you are.

NCWE Conference Presentation

Clover Park Technical College and Community Colleges of Spokane presented a session over the weekend at the National Council for Workforce Education's annual conference in Seattle. The session, titled 'In Their Own Words: How Plus 50 Students are Reinventing the American Dream,'shared stories of plus 50 students at both institutions.

Presenters were John Walstrum, President of CPTC, Mabel Edmonds, Dean for Workforce Development at CPTC, Joanne Murcar, Dean of Instruction at Community Colleges of Spokane and Brandon Rogers, Advancement/Grants Coordinator.

The presentation can be viewed here.

Student Profile: Kate Penk

While in the Interior Design Program at CPTC, Kate Penk has learned a lot more than what she expected. She has shed some of her introverted tendencies, has a much easier time speaking in public situations, and has significantly increased her self confidence. For Plus 50 adults who would like to go back to school but are concerned about their age, Kate suggests looking forward and remembering that there is no time like the present.

Student Profile: KyleAnn Gartside

After working in one field for 38 years, KyleAnn Gartside was surprised with how much she fit in at school, how well she did, and how much she enjoyed it. She feels that attending CPTC has increased her confidence, caused her to be more active, and helped her to take steps towards a brighter future.

Doug Ammons: Librarian

As a librarian at CPTC, Doug Ammons regularly interacts with students; introducing them to the library resources and answering questions. Doug feels that the most common challenge for Plus 50 students to overcome is a lack of confidence; that their age only affects their ability to learn if they make it.

Student Profile: Laurie Thomas

Laurie Thomas, who returned to school due to a disability that forced her to change careers, believes that education is never wasted; regardless of how old you are. She pursued the Pharmacy Technician program at CPTC because of her positive experiences with the school and her desire to return to the workforce in a relatively short period of time. Laurie has enjoyed returning to school, and states that her age has not affected her interactions with peers or instructors.