ATLANTA (Aug. 10, 2007) -- When Agnes Scott Food Services employees Carrie Wells and Eulette Polly began work at the college more than 30 years ago, very few of the "10 -month" employees were given opportunities for summer employment.
Although that changed in 1995 when the college opened summer employment to all 10-month employees, most who participated were the folks who cleaned and refurbished in preparation for the coming year.
Summer employment opportunities changed again this year, but with an added incentive.
Wells and Polly put it simply -- they knew they could be doing more if only they could learn computer skills.
"We didn't even know how to turn the computers on," Wells said, recalling the moment she shared that reality with Dean of Students Gue' Hudson. They wanted to do more in the dean of students’ office but felt hampered. "Maybe we could change that," Wells remembered Hudson saying.
In response, the college launched computer training courses this summer. Seventeen employees mostly from food services and facilities participated in three class sessions offered. They learned basic e-mail management and word-processing skills taught by Director of Information Technology Services LaNeta Counts and Brandi Warren employment/payroll specialist from the office of human resources.
“Agnes Scott’s core mission is education," said President Elizabeth Kiss. "I am so happy that through this new computer skills training program, we can expand the reach of that mission to include some of our most loyal and hard-working employees, our colleagues who work in facilities and dining services.”
Food Services employee Mary Bolden has been working in the President's office this summer and came to the computer classes with basic skills. But the sessions gave her the opportunity to expand her knowledge.
"I was adding data to Excel and using Microsoft Word for various things in the president's office," Bolden recalled.
“Many of the employees who had served the college the longest weren’t able to communicate the way most of their co-workers were -- using their e-mail accounts,” said Gué Hudson, vice president for Student Life and Community Relations. "I think this is one of the best programs we've ever done to break down barriers."
Wells, Polly and other employees have been learning and applying their new skills in administrative positions in the dean of students office and elsewhere on campus. The classes have just ended -- but those who just discovered computers this summer are anxious to learn more.
Agnes Scott students Helen Tzow and Stacy Mantooth assisted course participants as they learned new computer commands. But learning was a mutual process Tzow said.
"We talk about what great a liberal college Agnes Scott is and how it allows you to be more flexible in your career later on, and I realized that students aren’t the only ones to have that experience," Tzow said.
"The computer classes were great, but they’re nothing compared to what Carrie, Polly and their co-workers do for us every day."
Kiss said the college supports the employee's newfound interest in technology. She even dedicated time this summer to join students as a classroom assistant.
“I attended one of the sessions and it was great to see the pride that participants felt," she recalled. "I hope we can find ways to sustain and expand this program. To me, it is connected to our goal of living honorably.
"We want to treat all members of this community with fairness, courtesy and respect --and to make sure that everyone has a voice," Kiss said. "Offering folks an opportunity to learn a new skill, especially a skill that gives them greater access to information and communication, is one important way to do this.”
A new computerized time-management system activated this summer gives all employees access to e-mail. "We want to ensure everyone knows how to access and use the Outlook e-mail system," said Karen Gilbert, director of human resources.
"These days students check their grades by computer and even record their hours for work study positions," Gilbert said. “The same system offers similar tools for staff.”
Neither Gilbert nor other Agnes Scott administrators are aware of comparable programs at other colleges. Success will be measured by tracking participants.
Althea Fitzgerald, a member of the Agnes Scott custodial staff, learned about the opportunity for computer training through her supervisor. Even though her children make good use of the computer in her home, Fitzgerald had always avoided the device.
"I got tired of being a caveman to a computer," she said. "I decided, 'I'm going to go to computer class and learn on my own so I don't have to depend on my 14-year-old son.'"
Fitzgerald said she appreciates the independence earned through the computer class.
"It feels good to know what I'm doing," she added. "Last year I was a member of the planning committee for Community Service Day. They set me up with an e-mail account, but no one ever taught me how to check my e-mail."
The mother of four children ages 14 to 22, Fitzgerald has worked at Agnes Scott for four years.
While they appreciate the classes this summer, Eulette Polly, Carrie Wells, Mary Bolden and the others introduced to computers this summer are heartened to hear President Kiss say she hopes the college can provide additional training.
"We can go to any computer on campus now and check our e-mail," Wells said. "Even if only one of us can go check our e-mail at a given time, we can come back and tell everyone what we found out."
“One person knowing and being able to tell others is a big improvement over "well nobody told me," Polly said. “Imagine what’s next.”
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