At 黑料网911鈥檚 Early Childhood Education program graduated its first cohort of three students this semester.
Another five students have completed the classes for the program and will graduate in the spring after finishing up general education requirements, said Deb Huestis, Early Childhood Education program director.
鈥淭his is a fun group of students,鈥� Huestis said. 鈥淭hey sit out together in the common areas before class, and they just laugh and have a great old time.鈥�
All of the students in the program already are working in the early childhood education field and use their classrooms as their labs, with the instructors coming and observing them in action.
鈥淭hey turn around right away and use what they are learning,鈥� Huestis said.
Graduates can move up the career ladder upon completion of the degree and even become mentors for future students. Huestis applied for Perkins funding to give students already working in the field a stipend to serve as mentors to the students.
Program graduates will be eligible to serve as mentors and earn a little extra money doing so.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very satisfying work,鈥� Huestis said.
The next cohort will start in the spring semester on Jan. 12, 2026. All paperwork must be filed by Jan. 2 to start the program. The next cohort start date is January 2028.