Thanks to the Valley Breeze for this article!

WOONSOCKET – After six months of academic preparation, 11 dedicated students graduated from the RIRAL Transition to College Adult Education Program.

The students have been attending the program three nights a week since July to prepare for their return to college. The new graduates were Kattia Albujar Mercurio, Oscar Calvo Bautista, Marjorie Chatelain, Maribella Dejesus, Misquella German, Cyntia Madrid Ocampo, Collita Miller, Sabrina Yacine, Enercida Abad De La Cruz, Eswin Rosendo Cardoza and Evelyn M. Coreas.

The decision to return to college as an older adult can be daunting but even more so for students who are second language learners, according to program organizers. Ninety percent of the recent graduating class came from diverse backgrounds and countries. Many read in English at a lower than college level and have gaps in their academic skills, all acknowledged barriers to obtaining a college degree.

Many of the students are single heads of household with jobs, families, and personal commitments outside of school. Coming from other countries, they face an unknown learning environment and younger peers who seem more prepared for the transition to college; in addition, the cost of college for most is not within their means, and understanding the financial aid and college application processes can be overwhelming.

Each semester, TTC welcomes new participants and helps them to become stronger and more confidant college students. The program began in 2000 and models its curriculum after the National College Transition Network College Prep Model at World Education in Boston.

TTC meets at the Woonsocket Learning Center 191 Social Street. For more information or to register for the next program, contact Marie Crecca-Romero at 401-487-9566 or email MarieCrecca-Romero@riral.org. Visit their website at www.transitiontocollege.org and find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RIRALTTC .