ENGLEWOOD — Life doesn’t hand out erase buttons, but that doesn’t mean all is lost. With the new year right around the corner, it’s not too late to accept new challenges and set new goals.
Registering for college courses can be that new beginning that some people desperately need, said Isaac Zuniga, Dean of Student Affairs at Kennedy-King College, 6301 S. Halsted St. He is encouraging people to attend the institute’s upcoming open house on Jan. 6 to learn more about what the college has to offer.
“It’s an opportunity for our new prospective students to learn about the campus, our resources, our educational programs and specialized programs,” Zuniga said. The latter includes courses focusing on hospitality, culinary arts, automotive, dental hygiene and more.
The spring semester is the perfect time to direct recruiting toward the non-traditional college student, he said. This year, Zuniga will join student ambassadors and staff to canvass the Englewood community. On Friday a group will split up and go door-to-door, inviting people to attend Kennedy-King’s open house.
Zuniga said that on average, students can save up to $40,000 on their overall college education if they chose a community college over a four-year college because most of the general education courses are similar. And as a perk for those who enroll before Jan. 6, they will be entered into a drawing for a free class. Zuniga said that he and the rest of the campus staff are truly invested in the community.
“We embrace the community and many of us live here,” he said. “We understand we serve Englewood and we pride ourselves on being a beacon of hope within this area,” he said.
Being able to not only understand, but to offer the community what it wants is important, he said. So for those who want to further their career or even change it, enrolling in the right college courses is important, Zuniga said, adding that some students take remedial classes, not realizing there is a cap on how many financial aid will actually cover.
By attending the open house, though, attendees will learn more about the financial aid process, potential career paths and the steps they will need to take to successfully enroll. Prospective students will be able to register onsite, but if they aren’t able to finish, Kennedy-King will grant them a pass to finish the next day.
“We’ll give them a VIP fast pass that will let them cut the line per se the next day so they can pick up exactly where they left off the previous night,” Zuniga said. “Again, the whole goal is to make sure that those who are really invested in their education, get an opportunity to come to our college.”
Kennedy-King is just one of seven City Colleges of Chicago that will host its open house on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 6-8 p.m. The free event is open to the public. Students who want to earn college credit must register no later than Feb. 1. Classes begin Jan. 12.
RSVP to attend an open house at www.ccc.edu/openhouse.
Other City Colleges hosting an open house are:
Richard J. Daley College
7500 S. Pulaski
Malcolm X College
1900 W. Van Buren St.
Olive-Harvey College
10001 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Harry S Truman College
1145 W. Wilson Ave.
Harold Washington College
30 E. Lake St.
Wilbur Wright College
4300 N. Narragansett Ave.
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