Southwest, EDGE and Womens Foundation hold joint graduation ceremony
Southwest, EDGE and Women’s Foundation hold joint graduation ceremony
Southwest, EDGE and the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis hosted a joint graduation ceremony for the first time for EDGE-funded programs Nov. 2 at The Healing Cathedral Christian Church. Students graduated from allied health programs created through two initiatives, Ready Whitehaven and Women Healing Memphis, that launched in 2016 thanks to a $300,000 EDGE grant and $90,000 funding to date from the Women’s Foundation.
![Student speaker Barbara Jackson (first row, center) at the Nov. 2 EDGE graduation ceremony with Southwest Dean of Allied Health and Natural Sciences Dr. Evan McHugh, Urban Strategies Director of Operations Eva Mosby, Southwest Vice President for Student Services Jacqueline Faulkner, Women’s Foundation Grants Program Manager Patria Johnson, Southwest Program Manager for Continuing Education Kathy Simpson, EDGE President/CEO Reid Dulberger, Southwest Director for Externally Funded Programs Derek Henson, and Southwest Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christopher Ezell.](images/edge1-small.jpg)
(L to R) Student speaker Barbara Jackson (first row, center) at the Nov. 2 EDGE graduation ceremony with Southwest Dean of Allied Health and Natural Sciences Dr. Evan McHugh, Urban Strategies Director of Operations Eva Mosby, Southwest Vice President for Student Services Jacqueline Faulkner, Women’s Foundation Grants Program Manager Patria Johnson, Southwest Program Manager for Continuing Education Kathy Simpson, EDGE President/CEO Reid Dulberger, Southwest Director for Externally Funded Programs Derek Henson, and Southwest Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christopher Ezell.
The EDGE grant provides a yearly funding stream of $100,000 for 3 years for the establishment of short-term programs targeting marginalized non-traditional students seeking a career track as highly skilled health care professionals. The training programs include Dialysis and EKG Technician, Dental Assistance, Medical Administrative Assistance and Certified Nursing Assistant.
The nationally credentialed and tuition-free programs were offered through Southwest to Whitehaven residents of 38116, 38109 and 38106. The Women’s Foundation targeted 38126 with a goal of decreasing poverty by 1% in that zip code by 2020. The Foundation has continually given $30,000 for each of 3 years in support of this zip code.
Southwest, EDGE, Women’s Foundation and Urban Strategies researched areas of the city
that would most benefit from each of the programs,” said Director of Externally Funded
Programs Derek Henson. “We targeted several Whitehaven zip codes representing the
poorest areas in Memphis to improve educational and workforce development.
The program has been highly successful. More than 100 students applied in its first year (2017) for 72 available slots; 71 graduated. This year Southwest, EDGE and the Women’s Foundation jumpstarted the careers of 82 graduates. CNAs and dental assistant graduates already had jobs waiting for them.
This program does work and let my success be an inspiration to all of you,
said Barbara Jackson who completed certification as a dialysis technician. Jackson
had been a CNA for 18 years before pursuing the 8-week dialysis training. I am a single parent with a child and the first to graduate in my family with a degree.
Jackson accepted a job offer two weeks before her graduation. Southwest wanted me to succeed. I want everyone to know that with more education comes
better opportunities,
added Jackson.
Officiating at the 2018 EDGE ceremony were:
- Dr. Christopher Ezell, Southwest Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Dr. Derek Henson, Director of Southwest’s Externally Funded Programs
- Dr. Verneta Boone, Director of Southwest’s Whitehaven Center
- Mr. Ronald Claxton, Associate Director of Advising and Academic Support
- Mr. Reid Dulberger, President/CEO of EDGE
- Mrs. Patria Johnson, Women’s Foundation Program Manager
- Ms. Eva Mosby, Urban Strategies Director of Operations
- Mrs. Alicia Delbridge, Fresenius Medical Care Talen Acquisition Specialist
In This Issue...
- Message from President
- Southwest extends MTSU Promise to students
- S.T.E.A.M. Day allows high school students to explore careers and college life
- Medical Laboratory students play dead for disaster exercise
- HR Corner
- Submit your proposal for Summer Institute 2019
- Student Success Council debuts
- Mental Health Corner: The importance of stress management
- ATD process maps moved for better access
- New mobile app makes applying for FAFSA like booking an airline ticket
- Southwest and Women’s Foundation hold first joint graduation ceremony for EDGE
- Welcome aboard, new team members
- Saluqi Corner
- Students connect with over 40 employers at Fall Career Fair
- Donate to TBR holiday food drive Nov. 20 – Dec. 10
- Funeral Service Education program debuts at open house
- LaunchCode and TBR choose Southwest for LaunchCode’s first free computer programming courses in Tennessee
- International Studies, Communications, Graphics and Fine Arts host first student photography exhibition
- Southwest: In the News
- Holiday Survival Tips
- Important Dates