From Beta Tech Columbia
Graduate to Staff Member

Computer Administrative Specialist Graduate Become Staff Member

Yolonda Wright
Yolonda Wright is a February 2003 graduate from the Computer Administrative Specialist program at Beta Tech Columbia. She was quickly hired by a local retail company as an assistant manager. However, Yolonda let the director know that when she was eligible, her goal was to come back to Beta Tech to work and help other students. Today Yolonda is the Retention Officer. "My job is to support and encourage active students. I also contact students who have dropped and encourage them to come back to school and finish their program," explained Yolonda.

She has found several ways to achieve this. "One of the things that I try to get across to our students is the fact that my door is always open. I am here to listen, encourage, and assist them any way that I can." Currently Yolonda is spearheading a new Peer Mentoring Program. In this program, a latter module student will become a mentor to a new student. The mentor will help the new student feel comfortable in their new role as a Beta Tech student. They will encourage them; share whatever he or she knows in a non-threatening, noncompetitive way. Yolonda will meet weekly with the Beta Tech mentors to see how the new students are adjusting.

In addition during every module, Yolonda sponsors a workshop/ forum to help the students in their everyday life. Guest speakers are scheduled to speak on topics that focus on issues many students are battling in their daily lives. The goal is to help them stay focused on school while providing resources they may need outside school. These topics range from time management to domestic violence.

To encourage students to do the best that they can throughout school, new students are asked to keep Student Portfolios. The portfolio is an organized collection of their work evaluated by Beta Tech instructors. It represents a carefully crafted presentation of the student's development. It is also an insight into the student's growth and expertise, an insight that may not be found on a job resume. It also gives them a chance to see their accomplishments and helps them to remember why they are attending school. On the cover of the portfolio, they will have a copy of a job that they would like to attain when they graduate from Beta Tech. This will help them to keep their "eyes on the prize."

Beta Tech Columbia has benefited from hiring Yolonda as their Retention Officer. Her ability to" relate to both current students and those who have dropped is beginning to make a huge impact on retention in Columbia. Students are corning back, staying in school and graduating!