ADVISORY/Experts Available To Discuss President Bush's Job Training Initiative.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

TOPIC: President Bush is making stops in Ohio, Arizona and New Mexico to expand on proposals and initiatives discussed during yesterday's State of the Union address, according to an article by Reuters. Bush will discuss the $500 million community college and job-training initiative at Owens Community College in Perrysburg Township, Ohio. Some critics are skeptical that the proposal can solve the problems concerning higher education.

EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

Dr. Christa Adams is president of Owens Community College, which is one of the country's fastest growing two-year community colleges. She and OCC are among the most advanced in the country at devising programs to train displaced workers and return them to the workforce. Dr. Adams can provide insight into President Bush's community college funding program, its national ramifications (especially as it relates to funding versus traditional four-year schools) and the potential economic impact of creating effective training programs to improve America's workforce. Since 1965, OCC has grown from a technical institute with 200 students to a Community College with two campuses (Perrysburg in the Toledo area and Findlay, Ohio) and more than 40,000 credit and noncredit students. OCC offers more than 160 programs in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. OCC has an established Workforce and Community Services Division that provides customer-driven training that meets the needs of community employers. It specializes in training in computer applications, allied health education, apprenticeship training and skilled trades. PR Contact: Brad Leone 419-893-9600 [e-mail]

Dr. Irving McPhail, Chancellor of The Community College of Baltimore County, is one of the few people in the country who is an expert in K-12 education, higher education and business training. He can discuss K-12 literacy learning, the African-American learner, developing a learning-centered community college, and matching cultural styles to the learner. PR Contact: Jennifer Davis 410-869-7153 [e-mail]

Dr. Antonio R. Flores, of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, has extensive professional experience in higher education. He has taught at private and public institutions, both community colleges and comprehensive research universities. He has conducted research and policy studies, published and unpublished, on higher education issues and has been an administrator of campus-based and statewide program. Flores has done extensive advancement work at the state and national levels and has provided public service at the local, state, national, and international levels. Flores' longstanding career in higher education includes diverse and challenging responsibilities suitable for a senior executive and leadership role. 210-692-3805

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

ExpertSource provides academic and industry experts to the media at no charge. Journalists are encouraged to submit queries to ExpertSource when seeking experts on specific subjects. An online registration form is available at http://www.businesswire.com/.