Wednesday, August 15, 2012:
Schools join Maryland National Guard as Partners in Education
-Story and Photos by 2nd Lt. Jessica Donnelly
As a way to bring more benefits to Soldiers and Airmen looking to further their education, the Maryland National Guard added four more schools as Partners in Education during a signing ceremony held at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore, Md., Aug. 7.
Each of the schools who signed the agreement fall under the FORTIS Career Training Institute – FORTIS Institute, Woodlawn; FORTIS Institute, Towson; FORTIS College; and the All State Career School. During the ceremony, the campus presidents of each of the respective schools signed the Partners in Education agreement, along with Brig. Gen. Peter Hinz, Maryland Army National Guard commander, which brought the number of partnered schools from 37 to 41.
1st Lt. Gregg Zavadsky, Maryland National Guard Education officer, explained that with this agreement, it will create discounts on tuition and help with educational grants when a Soldier or Airman applies for one of the schools who have partnered with the Maryland National Guard. The schools will also allow Maryland National Guard recruiters to come onto the campuses to talk with students about joining the National Guard.
“Education is key,” said Hinz. “It is one of the things that increases the quality of our force, of our organization. … Education is a way to move up in a career and can enhance opportunities on the civilian side, as well.”
By adding more schools to the education partnership, the Maryland National Guard is making education more accessible and more readily available to more and more people. This increases the possibility of the Soldiers and Airmen of the Maryland National Guard to get a degree which can enhance the chances of them finding a civilian career.
“We take this very seriously,” said Hinz. “We want to be able to help our Soldiers and these partnerships help us do that.”
Mr. Donald McMullen, FORTIS College president, explained how this partnership benefits the schools, as well as the Maryland National Guard.
“We are dedicated to educating the adult population, especially the individuals who are serving in our military,” said McMullen. “We measure our success by the number of graduates out there working and we take even greater pride when it’s a veteran that has served our country that we have contributed to them getting work.”
The FORTIS Career Training Institutes and All-State Career School offer degree programs in nursing, medical technology, dental, healthcare, business and professional studies, information technology, skilled trades, and beauty and wellness studies.
“We look forward to a great partnership and the training of many service members in the state,” said McMullen.
© Wednesday, August 15, 2012 MDNG> News Stories
Published by: Maryland National Guard Public Affairs Office
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