FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2003
CONTACT: Roland Ruiz, St. Philip's College Director of Community and Public Relations
210.531.4851
KICKBUSH TO ADDRESS PHOENIX PROGRAM STUDENTS AT ST. PHILIP'S COLLEGE SOUTHEST CAMPUS DEC. 16
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Consuelo Kickbush will help commemorate the achievements of a group of high school juniors enrolled in the SAISD Phoenix Program with a motivational talk scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at St. Philip's College Southwest Campus. Ms. Kickbush, who became the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the Combat Support Field of the United States Army, will address 53 students who are completing an Occupational Career Exploratory Program at St. Philip's College Southwest Campus on the virtues of leadership and responsibility.
The Occupational Career Exploratory Program is the first leg of the two-year Phoenix Program, a collaboration of SAISD and St. Philip's College that introduces high school juniors and seniors to opportunities in technical occupations and provides paths to careers and continuing education upon graduation from high school. Since the start of the school year in mid August, the 53 students have rotated through seven industrial and technology training programs offered at St. Philip's College Southwest Campus. Their exposure to these technical career paths include participating in hands on projects, receiving safety training, going on field trips, undergoing career assessments, and learning vital information on college and career preparation. Altogether, 105 students (juniors and seniors combine) are enrolled in the Phoenix Program.
Ms. Kickbush is acknowledged as a charismatic, passionate and entertaining speaker who carries a powerful message of what it takes to be an effective leader in today's global marketplace. During her distinguished military career, she held a variety of demanding and critical leadership roles, earning Ms. Kickbush numerous decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four times), the Army Achievement Medal (twice) and the National Image's Uniformed Services Award for significant contributions in the areas of civil/human rights, race relations, equal opportunity, human resources, and public service.
St. Philip's College, one of the Alamo Community Colleges serving the greater Bexar County region, is a comprehensive community college designated as both a Historically Black College and a Hispanic Serving Institution. St. Philip's College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.