By Karen Hall

Editor

Adult education has a new home in Marshall County, and it is a win-win situation for everyone.

A ribbon cutting Wednesday celebrated Project Learn's new location inside the Columbia State Community College building on South Ellington Parkway.

Sheryl Jordan, director of Project Learn Adult Education for Williamson, Maury and Marshall County, explained a new $400,000 grant from the state enabled Project Learn to move into Columbia State.

This is ideal, she said, because students are right next to the Career Center, to help them find a better job once they have their GED, and also exposed to the post-secondary education offered by CSCC.

The most important thing for GED students to know right now, Jordan said, is that the GED changes on Jan. 1, 2014, and all previous partial test results will be wiped out.

"They need to get here now, or they will need to start all over," Jordan said, warning that the new test will be harder. To register, prospective students need to call (931) 490-3811, and they are also encouraged to check out the Project Learn Facebook page.

Classes are held all day Tuesday and Thursday in the room at Columbia State, said teacher Cookie Tankersley, but the problem is, "people don't know we're here, yet."

Tankersley loves her job, and loves to see her students change as their self-confidence increases. In five years she's seen the GED program grow from 10 students a year to 80.

She says students can be especially intimidated by the math requirement of the GED.

"You don't have to love math to be able to do it," Tankersley points out. "It's OK to hate it, but you can learn it, pass it, and go on."

"We're excited about this new project and what a great linkage it is to our project of producing a workforce," said Jan McKeel, executive director of the South Central Workforce Development Board. "We're thrilled to be here with the college. The Department of Labor and Work Force Development will hold us up as an example, and we hope to see that model grow."

"Workforce development is issue No. 1," said Lewisburg Director of Economic Development Greg Lowe. "You look at this facility and it's addressing the issue."

"Having employees with skills and work ethic is the No. 1" thing we need, agreed Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham. "This is addressing the problem. I'm proud of you. Lewisburg and Marshall County are on the cusp of great things. Congratulations."

CSCC Site Director Elizabeth McDow made a point of thanking the City of Lewisburg, owners of the building, for their support.

"There are people who will come (to adult education) to say they're going to college," McDow said. "That's one of the wonderful components" of having Project Learn here. "It's a major asset."

A bachelor's degree is now offered at Columbia State's Lewisburg site, said McDow. "We're tickled about having the whole spectrum of education here in Marshall County."

County Mayor Joe Boyd Liggett thanked the staff of the college, career center, and Project Learn.

"This gives people a second chance at life," said Liggett, praising the GED program.