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CEO Program awarded for dropout prevention

SCC’s Career Education Options (CEO) Program has been named one of the best dropout prevention programs in the nation. The College received the Crystal Star Program Award of Excellence in Dropout Recovery, Intervention and Prevention, awarded by the National Dropout Prevention Network (NDPN). The award recognizes SCC’s success in helping at-risk youth stay in school and improve their employment opportunities.

The purpose of the CEO Program is to re-engage young people who left high school prior to graduation. The program provides support services and funds necessary to allow students without high school diplomas to be more competitive in the job market by earning a GED and/or a professional-technical degree in one of 50 vocational programs through the College.

Launched in 1995, the CEO Program has grown from 152 students at its conception to 514 in 2002. The GED component was added to the curriculum in 1997; 78 students in the program earned the credential last year. Virtually all of the students went on to earn college credits.

“When you think of high school dropouts, a certain stereotype comes to mind, but it is inaccurate,” said Program Director Mariko Kakiuchi.  “Students may be very bright and talented and be motivated to learn, but still be looking for their niche and find this environment works better for them.” 

Kakiuchi added that the program also has students whose lives have been so impacted by personal circumstances such as family situations, substance abuse or homelessness that it disrupts their schooling.  When students fall behind in credits, their motivation to stay in high school suffers.  

“A program like ours helps fill the gap,” she said.

To help ensure that personal problems do not affect students’ performance at school, the CEO Program also funds books, school supplies and transportation (bus tickets or parking permits), and can help provide emergency support services like food stamps if needed.

To enroll in the program, students cannot be enrolled at any high school and must be 16 to 21 years of age at time of program enrollment. Those who are interested in learning more about CEO may contact the office at (206) 546-7844, or stop by Room 5222 in the FOSS (5000) Building. The CEO Program’s Web site is http://www.shoreline.edu/ceo.