SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 50th Space Wing Education Center opened Jan. 6, 2020 and is simultaneously supporting installation personnel, while developing the support provided.
The education center opened with limited functions, but since its opening there have been expansions to services, previously not seen at here.
“We are still moving forward with the expansions, we have planned for services like tuition assistance,” Lauren Clark 50th Force Support Squadron education services specialist. “There’s also college and career counseling, the skillbridge program and the education program.”
The skillbridge program, a program which helps those seeking to transition to the civilian workforce, is gaining interest since the education center’s opening.
“Due to the high volume of attendance in our previous skillbridge briefings, which we offer quarterly, we are looking to transition to offering the briefing monthly going forward,” Clark said.
Since opening in January, the center increased their personnel number to 6 in support of the services provided with plans to add another education counselor and a test control officer with those positions still being coordinated.
Jim Driscoll joined the team as the flight chief taking on force development and Staff Sgt. David Gudgeon stepped in as First Term Airman Center noncommissioned officer in charge are two other new additions to the team.
The team while evolving services and personnel, is meeting the wing’s vision and is looking for more ways to do so.
“We're continuing to push forward with the parameters we need for certifying our test control room,” Clark said. “Ultimately being able to offer military testing, as well as College Level Examination Program and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support Program testing will be great. Although we are not quite there yet, our team is moving in the right direction.”
The education center has a steady increase of foot traffic in their office since their opening in addition to phone calls and emails.
“We have seen over 75 people just in January,” Clark said. “As people enroll in classes the volume tends to die down a little, but as the new semesters start, we see an increase in people looking to start a class.”
On top of increasing the support provided to Airmen seeking educational pursuits, the team also pursues ways to produce more professional development opportunities.
“One of the specific things we have discussed is taking professional development to the Airmen,” Master Sgt. Kathryn North, 50th FSS career assistance advisor said. “Instead of asking personnel to come out of their work centers to see us for a couple of hours, we would like to bring it back to them. Professional development doesn’t just affect the individual, it affects their peers, leadership and the Airmen they supervise. If we can get our message out there, we can have a great impact on Team Schriever as a whole.”
According to Clark, the education center benefits Airmen and prepares them for the future, which starts by walking through their doors.
“There will come a time where military service ends,” Clark said. “Whether that's in six years, 20 years or 30 years, what can be done to prepare for the future? There are a lot of benefits available to personnel and the door opens to those by asking. We can assist in meeting an individual’s goals.”
For more information about the services provided by the education center, contact Lauren Clark at 567-2043 or email: 50FSS.FSDE@us.af.mil.