In just a year-and-a-half since the first social work class in the Accelerated Studies for Adults Program (ASAP) was offered, it has grown to include about 100 students at five sites.

Those sites are Monroe Community College, Genesee Community College, Onondaga Community College, Cayuga Community College, and Corning Community College.

Syeisha Byrd is a current student at OCC and Quitman Archible attends classes at MCC.

Soon after earning an associate degree in human services at Onondaga Community College (OCC), Syeisha Byrd was offered a full-time position with the Boys & Girls Club.

^{Syeisha Byrd}

She planned to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a few years. Seven years later, she “woke up one morning and felt stuck in the mud, like I was not moving in the right direction to meet my goals.”

“I dreamed of completing not just a bachelor’s in social work [degree] but a master’s [degree] as well,” said Byrd, who received the Professional Youth Worker Award from the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth. “My love is working with children. I realized by completing my education, I would have more specialized skills and knowledge to help the lives of many more children.”

After attending an orientation session about Keuka College’s Bachelor of Science in social work degree offered through ASAP at OCC, she was hooked.  

“I loved the whole concept of the adult program and it worked well with my work schedule,” said Byrd, who will complete the program requirements for her degree in May 2010. “Not having to travel far to attend class and only one night a week is perfect while raising my preschool-aged son.”

Program Assistant Quitman Archible looks forward to serving those with whom he works at Continuing Developmental Services in Rochester on “an even greater level” once he completes his bachelor’s degree in May 2010.

^{Quitman Archible}

But the achievement will mean a great deal on a personal level, too.

“I’m the fourth out of seven children,” said Archible, who is also a husband, father of two, and grandfather of four. “Of the seven, I will be the first to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. To say that it is a huge personal and accomplishment would be an understatement.”

Archible learned about Keuka’s program through faculty and staff in the human services department at Monroe Community College (MCC).

“The evening schedule fits well with my full-time work schedule. Although it has been challenging, Keuka has afforded me the opportunity to push and challenge myself on an academic level with the help of dedicated and committed faculty members.

“The members of my cohort, MCC Cohort 145, have also been extremely helpful and supportive,” added Archible.

A native of New York City who moved to Rochester in 1991, Archible has been employed by Continuing Developmental Services for 11 years. He works with autistic individuals in their homes, providing him a “wonderful learning experience.”