Shelton State Community College Adult Education Instructor Named COABE Fellow for State

March 23, 2022 – Shelton State Community College Adult Education Instructor Mary Rainey was recently announced as the state representative for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education’s (COABE) State Advocacy Fellowship.

The Coalition on Adult Basic Education’s State Advocacy Fellowship focuses on the development of leadership, advocacy skills, research capacity, and network of influence for adult educators, educational staff, and/or administrators. The purpose of this fellowship is to help build a robust network of leaders and advocates focused on the advancement of adult literacy across the country.

During the part-time, year-long fellowship, fellows will engage in national and regional policy discussions and join a growing number of peers dedicated to building advocacy. The COABE State Advocacy Fellowship comprises a series of federal- and state-related training sessions focused on building advocacy and leadership skills.

“This program has proven success increasing funding and visibility at the state level”, said Sharon Bonney, Chief Executive Officer for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. Bonney cited the recent Collective Impact Report that was published by COABE noting the accomplishments of the first cohort of the Fellowship.

“I am thrilled for the 2022 SAAEF Fellows as they spend the next year learning how to become better advocates for adult education across the country and better leaders, with the ultimate goal of providing the best adult education systems for our students. We are mindful that legislators do not make policy, the stories of our students and our teachers do,” says Jeffrey Abramowitz, Chair of the SAAEF Fellowship Program.

“We are thrilled for Mary,” stated Kristen Bobo, Shelton State’s Director of Adult Education.  “This is not only an honor for her but also an honor for our program.  Mary is the perfect candidate, and she will represent our state very well.”

“I am excited to participate in the year-long State Advocates for Education Fellowship program because it means learning how to expand advocacy on the state, regional, and national levels,” stated Rainey.  “The training not only involves learning how to effectively communicate with media and policymakers as a voice for our students, but we will also learn how to help students advocate for themselves.”

For more information about Shelton State Adult Education, visit sheltonstate.edu.