LILLINGTON - Central Carolina Community College's College and Career Readiness program has moved from the Lillington Adult Education Center to the college's Harnett County Campus.

"We're back in the space we had 10 years ago," said Melody McGee, CCR Harnett coordinator. "It is better for our students to be located on campus so that they can have easier access to the college and its programs. They have the advantages of seeing, first-hand, the curriculums the college offers and getting acquainted with the faculty and staff."

The College and Career Readiness program helps students improve basic skills. They may not have graduated from high school or may be in the workforce and want to become more competitive. The program offers Adult Basic Education, Adult High School Diploma, Adult High School Equivalency (formerly GED), and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

Adult Basic Education helps students improve their educational skills in order to meet the demands of today's workforce. The Adult High School Diploma program enables students to earn credit to complete their high school education and receive a diploma.

Adult High School Equivalency prepares students to pass tests in reasoning through language arts, social studies, science, and mathematical reasoning, thereby demonstrating mastery of the skills required of a high school graduate. English as a Second Language helps students achieve their desired level of competency in reading, writing and speaking English.

The College and Career Readiness program in Harnett County also serves students at the college's West Harnett Center, Triangle South Enterprise Center, and the Lillington Adult Education Center. There are approximately 30 part-time instructors serving students at various locations, McGee said. The program serves an average of 1,400 students annually.

"Seeing students be successful keeps me here," said McGee, who has been with the program for 22 years. "I've seen students progress from a GED to going into the medical field, cosmetology and other competitive areas. The program is a catalyst for starting careers."

Central Carolina Community College's CCR program was one of seven out of 58 community colleges in the state to exceed North Carolina performance levels for basic skills progress, said Dawn Tucker, CCCC dean of College and Career Readiness.

"The CCR program provides our students with many benefits," she said. "It gives them the total collegiate campus experience. Our students are attending classes on a college campus and reaping the benefits of easy access to college programs and support services."

The College and Career Readiness program is part of the Division of Economic and Community Development, the area of CCCC devoted to economic, workforce and enrichment programs for the business sector and the community at large.

Professional training and leisure courses, as well as small business assistance, industry training, customized education, and other programs that help CCCC respond to the needs of the community are all included in this division.

For more information on CCCC's College and Career Readiness program in Harnett County, contact Melody McGee at 910-814-8972 or by email at mmcgee@cccc.edu. For information in Chatham County, contact Daniel Loges, 919-545-8661 or email at dloges@cccc.edu. For information in Lee County, contact Dean Dawn Tucker, 919-718-7437 or email at dmtucker@cccc.edu.