As the Adult Education Division plans its first-ever “College for a Day,” Mary Harris and her staff already have something to celebrate: Nearly half of their GED graduates attend college.

Mary Harris

“In the last two years, 154 of our 369 GED graduates have transitioned to Austin Community College,” says Harris, executive director of ACC’s Adult Basic Education programs, which includes GED preparation and English as a Second Language. “This represents a major success in our helping people reach their potential.”

Harris credits the 42 percent college transition rate to the new “ABE to College Connection” recruitment program.

How does it work? ACC recruiters regularly meet with students as they attend class around the community. While Adult Education students learn skills to pass their GED exams, they also learn about opportunities available through ACC. It mirrors the College Connection program under way in area high schools

Diane Larralde

“When I was getting my GED, I didn’t have any plans to go to college,” says former Adult Education student Diane Larralde, 36.

That was before she met recruiting/advising specialist Diana Quinonez two years ago.

“Diana told my class, ‘I’m going to walk you through all of this and I’ll be here with you to the end,’ ” Larralde recalls. “I asked her, ‘Is that a promise?’ and she said yes.”

Larralde is now in college and planning to graduate from ACC in 2008 with an associate degree in social work. She still meets regularly with Quinonez.

“She’s important to me because she pushes me,” Larralde says. “She’s more than a counselor or advisor; she’s a friend.”

Harris says the new “College for a Day,” recruitment fair is intended to give Adult Education students the resources and contacts they need to successfully transition to credit courses, like Larralde did.

“Students can attend classes, meet real students, and just soak up the energy on the college campus while getting information on high-demand careers, enrollment, and financial aid.”

And while there, students can meet Quinonez and her Adult Education coworkers, who will have a lot to tell them about going to college.

“College for a Day” will be Friday, November 16, at the Eastview Campus. Preregistration is required. Contact Adult Education at (512) 223.5123 or visit austincc.edu/abe for information.