Families celebrate the achievements of their graduates.

The high point of the Commencement Exercises is listening to the graduate speaker share her reflections on her journey to and through the Sophia Women’s Learning Center. Here, French foreign exchange student, Celine addresses the assembly. After getting lost in a shuffle of schools, she was permitted to complete her diploma requirements at the Sophia Women’s Learning Center and graduated with the class of 2007.

 

The Story of
Sophia Women's Learning Center

The Sophia Women’s Learning Center was established in 2002 for women who did not finish high school, providing them an opportunity to complete their course requirements and get their high school diplomas.

How It All Began

The idea for an outreach program for women began in the heart of Paul Hass, a retired Air Force Colonel who was hired as a math and computer teacher and later became Assistant Principal at Providence High School. In the course of his years at Providence, he watched students withdraw due to family circumstances, personal reasons, or the difficulty of juggling demanding academics with the need to contribute to the family’s income. He often wished there was a way to help them complete their education at Providence, to continue to provide them with the single gender environment and quality education.

Through the years, Mr. Hass’ concern grew to include all girls and women in the community whose education was being interrupted by life’s circumstances. His dream was to create an outreach program at Providence that would offer these ladies a learning opportunity that would provide them with a second chance to complete their education in a healthy and empowering environment.

Getting Started

The chance to fulfill this dream came in 2002 when the Technology Director at Providence came across a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce for innovative technology and distance learning programs. Initially, the grant was a means of providing dual credit courses and distance learning for Providence High School students. However, in the midst of planning for the new programs and technology, the window of opportunity opened to include an outreach educational program. With the support of Anne Bristol, Providence High School principal, and the blessings of Sister Antoinette Billeaud, Superior General for the Sisters of Divine Providence, who sponsor Providence High School, the planning phase of the Sophia Women’s Learning Center began.

First Director

Sister Ann Umscheid, CDP, was hired as the Director of the new weekend program for women whose high school education had been interrupted. After months of research and collaboration, Sister Ann acquired a computer curriculum, hired a staff of teachers, networked with professional women to secure mentors for the students, created an admissions and graduation plan, and reached out to find women who needed to complete their high school education. Classes would be held in the Providence High School technology classroom on Saturday mornings.

First Students

The Sophia Women’s Learning Center opened for enrollment in May of 2003 and held a graduation ceremony in May of 2004 before the grant expired in October of 2004. With no more funding available and women still enrolled or in the process of admission, Sister Ann turned to the Sisters of Divine Providence. The Congregation determined that the program was an important and much needed service and they committed to continue funding for the Center. Sadly, after helping eleven women graduate with their high school diplomas, and after a hard fight against cancer, Sister Ann surrendered herself to God in June of 2005.

New Director…

In August of 2005, Ida Ayala, former teacher and administrator at Providence High School, was hired as the new Director. As more women enrolled in the Sophia Women’s Learning Center, some expressed a need to attend class on weekdays. This prompted the Director and the Generalate of the Sisters of Divine Providence to begin discussing the possibility of moving from Providence High School. The opportunity presented itself when the curriculum program used by the Sophia Center was updated to an online program.

Janice, 2008 graduate, receives her diploma from Ida Ayala, Director of the Sophia Women’s Learning Center. Faculty and staff members --(l-r) Ana Leyba-Delgado, Sisters Virginia Huser, Patrice Sullivan, and Antoinette Billeaud--enjoy the graduate’s pride in her achievement.

…and a New Home

In January of 2006, plans began for remodeling the Sacred Heart Dining Room at Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center into a classroom and office space. In May of 2006, the Sophia Women’s Learning Center moved from the Providence High School library to its own state-of-the-art classroom complete with 16 student desks, 16 Dell computers, a resource room, and an office for the Director.

29 Graduates and Counting

As of December 2008, 29 women, ages 19 to 59, have received their high school diplomas through the Sophia Women’s Learning Center. Many have gone on to further their education by enrolling in college or career training schools. Every graduate has improved the quality of life for herself and her family by increasing her knowledge and job opportunities. As one graduate stated, she was hired on the spot for a stable position with benefits “all because I have a high school diploma.”