Information Sessions Scheduled for Thursday, May 5, Monday, May 16 and Monday, June 6 
at 6 p.m. in the J. H. Warf Building, room 237

(Columbia, Tenn. - April 29, 2011) - - - Columbia State Community College will launch CORE, a new evening cohort program, this fall to help students achieve an Associate of Science degree by attending classes one night per week at the Columbia campus in addition to some online courses. The goal of this program is to help students balance work, family and other commitments while still allowing them to pursue their career goals. Information sessions will be held on Thursday, May 5, Monday, May 16 and Monday, June 6 at 6 p.m. in the J. H. Warf building, room 237 for interested students.

Students enrolling in the Fall 2011 cohort will follow a sequence of courses designed to offer (1) small class sizes, (2) assured seats in evening classes, (3) required courses offered in sequence, (4) choices of a variety of emphases including criminal justice, history, sociology or no emphasis, and (5) study support that will increase a student's likelihood of success. All cohort participants will have a common set of courses for the first four semesters and will then complete a select group of courses according to their elected emphasis.

Columbia State is committed to offering students a quality program that is fun, social and engaging for hard-working, motivated evening students. The program is targeted to adult students age 23 or older; however it may be an option for any student with a mature attitude who is committed to the program for 24 months. Participation is available for new students but those with 15 or less earned college credit hours may apply. This program is strategically designed for all students in the cohort to progress through the program together.

Interested students must fulfill certain criteria to be admitted to the program. All learning support courses must be completed prior to program admission. These courses will be available to students during the Summer 2011 term so there is still time to join the CORE cohort. A Declaration of Intent form must be submitted to the CORE offices in the Waymon L. Hickman building, room 149 or in the J. H. Warf building, room 109. Financial aid and convenient payment plans are available to eligible students.

Students are encouraged to pre-register for these free information sessions in advance at www.columbiastate.edu/core. In addition, if you have already started a program at Columbia State and you would be interested in joining the CORE program please call (931) 540-2862 or (931) 540-2877 to speak to a CORE advisor.

Students who enroll in CORE will be expected to attend a program orientation session on Tuesday, August 23 at 6 p.m. in the J. H. Warf building, room 237 to meet classmates and faculty, enjoy light refreshments and begin the learning experience together.

For more information on the CORE program please visit www.columbiastate.edu/core or call the Office of Evening Services at (931) 540-2862 or Dr. Stuart Lenig, Chair of the Adult Evening Cohort Committee at (931) 540-2877.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

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