Asheville, Cherokee Students Build Computer Skills at UNCA Summer Program; Exhibition and Graduation Luncheon to be Held July 19 on UNCA Campus

Middle school students from Asheville and Cherokee will demonstrate their newly honed computer skills at a special exhibition and graduation luncheon July 19 at UNC Asheville. The 23 students are completing the five-week Computer Literacy Initiative program, co-sponsored by the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas. This is the third year UNCA has conducted the program, which focuses on building computer skills, increasing confidence, and expanding understanding of computer technology.

"The strong collaborative relationship UNCA enjoys with the Cherokee School system resulted in this wonderful opportunity for Cherokee and Asheville City schools students to strengthen their computer skills this summer," said Elaine Fox, director of UNCA’s Special Academic Programs. "We were able to engage the Cherokee students because of their previous involvement with UNCA’s Super Saturday program and this was a natural extension of that relationship. The personnel in the Cherokee School system have also been very instrumental in the success of the program."

Classes are taught by UNCA Associate Education Professor Karen Cole, who is assisted by UNCA education licensure student Josh Mullens, Web development consultant Dennis Lundblad, and elementary school teacher Kadie Franklin.

During the summer program, students created PowerPoint presentations, designed and posted personal Web sites, practiced keyboarding skills, studied computer terminology, and explored Internet resources for research.

For more information about the program, call UNCA’s Office of Special Academic Programs at 828/251-6558.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Elaine Fox, UNCA Special Academic Programs Director, 828/232-5122
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526