Director's Message
We have some fantastic news to share with you this spring. First, our students earned a combined average 3.58 GPA! Student course loads included everything from rigorous classes like Business Law, Micro-Economics, Integrative Medicine, and Calculus to general education classes like Writing, Geography, Algebra, and Literature to elective classes like Acting, Drawing, Yoga, Basketball, Backcountry Skiing, Showshoeing, and Tai Chi.

Starting in March, we added a required 12-week curriculum taught at ACE. These on-going classes include Learning Styles and Study Skills, Job Skills, Service Learning Opportunities, Emotional Intelligence, Nutrition and Menu Planning, Personal Finance, Fitness, and Ceramics.

We are pleased to announce three phenomenal new additions to our staff. Mike Smith (see staff highlight), who has over 25 years of experience working in college education, will join our Academic team. Jason Arbetter, who taught at Prescott College for over a decade, will become our newest Life Coach. And Porte Zinner, who ran a College Career Center, will step into our toughest job at College Excel as our Student Housing Director.

The future also promises exciting news as we will run our first Summer College Program this summer. This program will be based on a curriculum designed by a group of distinguished professors who have dedicated their summer to teaching our students. The immersion-style courses will allow students to travel throughout the Northwest as they earn 12 transferable college credits. For more information on the Summer College Program click here or call Shelley at 541-388-3043 at extension 207.

Happy spring!

Jeannie Crowell & Sue Harless
Directors
College Excel

Former student, Gus, shares his College Excel experience
When I first called College Excel, I had failed at attending a major university and didn't know what to do with myself. I had not been prepared for requirements of college and assignments overwhelmed me. I felt like I didn't have anything in common with the other students, so I isolated myself in my dorm room and suffered from depression.
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Education Corner
We believe in the power of education! This section is dedicated to providing information and insights into how college-age adults can better function in the world.

Brain Science 101: The Power of Neuro-Pathways (part 4 of a 4-part series)
by Jeannie Crowell

Brain scanning and mapping have forever changed the way we treat depression, anxiety, addictions, learning disabilities, and mental illness. With current research revealing new findings every day, this field is giving people new hope for recovery. Where once disorders were considered a "mystery" or attributed to character flaws, we now know that that how we perceive and react to situations is a function of how our brains are set up.

The next step in this ground-breaking research is just beginning.
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