(AP) — Career Education Corp., a for-profit education company, said Tuesday that Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Patrick Pesch is retiring, effective Sept. 5.
He will be replaced by Michael J. Graham, who was previously CFO of Terlato Wine Group, a private company specializing in marketing and producing luxury wines.
Pesch will stay with the company for 60 days during a transition period, and will serve as a consultant for CEC through June of 2008.
Career Education Corp. is in the midst of a turnaround. Earlier this month it said it swung to a profit in the second quarter, although revenue fell 10%. The company is in the process of selling some of its schools and campuses and named a new chief executive in March.
While movies like Animal House and Van Wilder are undeniably entertaining, they are simply not a reality of what college is really like. Some college students may disagree with me, but college isn't all about being successful socially, rather, it is about being successful academically. Your freshman year is your most crucial year of college. For many, it makes them or breaks them as college students. Students who walk onto campus their freshman year thinking that college is one big party are in for a rude awakening, especially if they've been listening to upperclassmen share stories about not going to class and waiting until the last minute to write that paper. These so-called "mentors" are not helping future college students become successful, but setting them up for failure on campus, and possibly, in their futures. Following in their footsteps is taking the "easy" route, and college isn't meant to be easy – it is meant to challenge you and to prepare you for life beyond textbooks and the classroom.
The lessons that upperclassmen don't often share with incoming freshmen are the ones that will actually help them prepare for success, not just the tricks for easing through their academic career. As an admission counselor at Valparaiso University, I speak with hundreds of incoming students each year who have no idea what to expect their freshman year. They are excited, nervous, and anxious all at the same time! Here are some of the tips that I pass along to them to help ensure a successful college start. My tips may not be as exciting as the gossip about that popular professor or what instructors to avoid, but my incoming freshmen seem to appreciate and apply them to their experiences.
#1: If you're an only child, be prepared to live with someone else, usually someone you don't already know, in a small room – probably smaller than your room at home. College is the time when students develop a sense of identity and self. This first year roommate experience will help you develop patience and discover what kind of person you are. For many, this can be a difficult period of adjustment, especially if he or she has not spent a lot of time away from home or does not have siblings. If you find that you are having difficulty adjusting, or you and your roommate don't get along right away, give it some time – don't give up after five hours of being on campus, or five hours of knowing your roommate! Your resident assistant (RA) is a great person to serve as a third party to listen and help mediate.
#2: Stay on campus as much as possible. While you may be homesick the first week or two, going home every weekend isn't going to make the transition any easier. The more you get involved on campus, the less you'll miss home.
#3: New people, new friends. While your high school friends are important, don't be afraid to make new friends at college. Most likely, your high school friends will be doing the same thing. College is the time for you to branch out and meet new people. Like the old saying goes, "make new friends, but keep the old…"
#4: While you are living in the residence halls/dorms, you will most likely experience community bathrooms. Remember to bring two things: shower shoes (i.e. flips flops) and a shower caddy for your shampoo, soap, etc.
#5: Don't procrastinate! It is easy to fall behind if you don't manage your time properly. Time is very important and it may often seem as if you never have enough of it. Remember to prioritize your life. Ask yourself what is going to be more important, that fraternity party right before finals or studying for your finals? Remember, you and/or your parents are paying for your college education.
#6: Be sure to save and actually read your syllabus for each class. This is your guide for class projects, papers, assignments, and due dates. Without your class syllabus, it is very easy to get lost and fall behind in class.
#7: Go to all of your classes! While it may seem easy to simply skip a class here and there, many professors include attendance and participation as part of your grade.
#8: Your academic advisor will not only help you register for classes, but will also help you plan for your future. He/she will play a key role in your college career – writing you a letter of recommendation or helping you find internships, etc. It's a good idea to let your academic advisor know if you want to study abroad, what areas of study you're interested in if you haven't settled on a major yet, and work with them to create a four year plan.
#9: Your professors are important people. While in high school it may not have been "cool" to get to know your teachers, college is the time when your professors will often times become mentors and friends. Just like your academic advisor, professors may serve as connections for possible internships, jobs, and employment/graduate school references.
#10: College is challenging. Be prepared to study (really study), read (often times several books at once), write several papers (longer than five pages and usually more than one at a time), and participate in class discussions – speaking up in class may even be part of your grade.
To all college freshman: good luck your first year. Remember – study, go to class, be open to new things and new people, and have fun. College is a once in a lifetime opportunity – make the most of it.Shares rose 65 cents, or 2.4%, to close at $27.61.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/MI/what-to-expect-your-freshman-year-of-college.html
