Students enrolled in the Marshall Independent School District 18+ Step Program are pictured with MISD Superintendent Jerry Gibson and Wiley College President Herman J. Felton Jr. at a signing ceremony for the new work-based learning partnership between the two schools.
Wiley College and the Marshall Independent School District have formed a partnership to provide work-based learning opportunities to MISD students enrolled in its 18 + STEP Program (Successfully Transitioning Extraordinary People).
The two schools officially launched the partnership Monday during a signing ceremony in the Thomas W. Cole Library on Wiley’s campus.
The mission of the new partnership between the two institutions is to mutually promote the vocational education of students with disabilities. Wiley will be a work-site for students who have met academic requirements for graduation.
Marshall Independent School District Superintendent Jerry Gibson and Wiley College President Herman J. Felton Jr. both expressed their excitement about and commitment to the program during the ceremony.
Dr. Gibson said that he and the school district had been exploring opportunities to work with Wiley, stating that he hopes this will be the first of many partnerships between the two institutions “Let’s Keep doing more he said.”
Dr. Felton shared similar sentiments about the new partnership.
“God really smiles on educators and those gifted with the calling to take care of those who need just a little more special care,” he said. “We know that Wiley’s Founders wanted the College to always be an integral part of the community. This is an excellent opportunity for us to work together to serve students. ”
The program will begin this fall.