12/29 Education Digest

Exchange student offering classes

An Eastern New Mexico University Chinese exchange student, Zheng Liguang, from Sichuan University will offer four classes in Chinese culture and history, according to an ENMU press release. The classes will held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursday evenings, the release said.

Liguang, with the Americanized name of Claire, will teach Chinese Culture and History, Chinese Oral Language, Chinese Written Characters, and Chinese Cooking. The classes vary in price, but all four may be taken for $65. For information contact 562-2165.

Outreach project looking for hosts

A new community outreach project created to assist women battling difficult financial circumstances is looking for willing hosts.

The New Mexico Project for Financial Literacy and the New Mexico Securities Division have been awarded $30,000 to help fund Women in Transition, a new community outreach project designed to provide women with resources to manage their finances, according to a press release from the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department.

The program is designed to assist women of all ages and income levels, according to the program Executive Director Vicki Van Horn, the press release said.

The program’s coordinators are now seeking women’s groups, church groups, and other organizations willing to host a Women in Transition seminar in their local communities, the release said. Contact Gena Wilimitis at the New Mexico Securities Division for more information about scheduling a program. She may be contacted by phone at 505-476-4583, or by e-mail at [email protected].

ACT: College prep good for all students

A college-preparatory curriculum is the right choice for most high school students, even if college isn’t included in their current future plans, according to a press release from ACT, a non-profit organization that designs the most widely accepted college entrance exam, according to their Web site.

The press release said middle school and high school students selecting courses for the next school year should enroll in the most challenging courses for which they are ready to best prepare for college and future careers.

“Too many students take the easy way out, avoiding classes that may seem more difficult than others. This may save study time, but it will hurt in the long run,” the release said.

The same set of skills needed to succeed in the first year of college are needed to succeed in job training, and with advancing technology, at least some post-high school education is becoming more and more necessary, the release said.

For more information about college and career planning from ACT, including recommended course sequences, visit http://www.actstudent.org.

Education Digest is compiled by CNJ staff writer Marlena Hartz. She may be contacted at 763-6991, or by e-mail: [email protected]