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Campus Review
July 7, 2014
Page 16
Clayton State Welcomes Diverse Student
Population with English Learning Programs
by Gantt Thomas
Pritul Patel Makes His Own and Others’ Dreams Real
by Samantha Watson
In effort to expand the multi-national and
cultural appeal of Clayton State
University, the Continuing Education
department is offering the opportunity for
the development of English Speaking and
Writing skills.
Acknowledging Clayton County’s need
for learning English in its culturally
diverse environment, the University has
developed the successful English as a
Second Language program. The program
was designed to help those who may not
be native English speakers to grow their
proficiency in the language. The classes,
led by Diane Cox and Ophie Rivera, last
for 10 weeks and begin with an assess-
ment to determine the students’ course
placement. At the end of the comprehen-
sive program, students receive a certifi-
cate of completion.
A sister program of ESL (English as a
Second Language), TESOL (Teaching
English to Speakers of Other Languages)
has been created as well. This program
exists to serve students who originate
from other countries and primarily speak
the language of their place of origin. This
program consists of four courses totaling
150 hours of course instruction. Taught by
a professional, experienced instructor
(Leigh Lawrence), this is a comprehen-
sive program leading to a certificate in
Global TESOL. Classes are taught on
Saturdays at the Downs Center.
Details about upcoming free information
sessions for these programs can be found
at www.conted.clayton.edu or by contact-
ing Laurie Morse at (678) 466-5054 or
lauriemorse@clayton.edu for more infor-
mation.
“From when I first landed here in
Georgia, to the person I am today, I can
proudly say that Clayton State University
has been a huge part of my path to suc-
cess,” proclaims Clayton State alumnus
Pritul Patel.
Patel was born and raised in London,
“East London to be exact,” he says. He
moved to the United States in the pursuit
of his university education. Clayton
State’s moderate size and diverse commu-
nity of students are what attracted Patel to
study here. He was very fond of the per-
sonal attention his professors afforded
him due to the intimate class sizes.
After considerable deliberation and multi-
ple changes of major, Patel graduated
with his Bachelor’s in Mathematics. The
alumnus is quick to point out that Clayton
State has one of the best math departments
as well as outstanding departmental facul-
ty.
Patel has collaborated with the Clayton
State Center for Academic Success’
(CAS) Sarah Minion, Associate Professor
of Mathematics Dr. Christopher Raridan,
and Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Elliot Krop to complete and publish
two mathematics-related research articles
in the area of Graph Theory. He attributes
this accomplishment, as well as others, to
the help of the Math Department.
“The Math Department has considerably
helped me on my path to success, howev-
er, I would also like to thank Kathy
Garrison in the Center for Academic
Success for being supportive of my future
goals. The CAS has helped me grow as an
individual,” states Patel.
This comment comes as no surprise, since
immediately following graduation Patel
landed a tutoring job in CAS. He is ecstat-
ic about the center and professes that his
passion for tutoring math combined with
the feelings of happiness he gets from
helping the student body make him love
his job.
“I am happy to be a part of other student’s
lives in making their dreams be made
real!” exclaims Patel.
Patel is in no rush to leave the U.S. and
explains that he will remain here for
“however long I need to.” He has applied
for a one-year
e m p l o y m e n t
authorization to
the U.S. govern-
ment in order to
gain experience in
his related field.
He is also the first
Clayton
State
international stu-
dent to apply and
receive the 17-month employment exten-
sion for STEM majors.
While working in CAS, Patel is seeking
employment in the private sector in order
to gain experience. He comments that he
has, “received help and guidance from
many of the services offered at Clayton
State such as Career Services. Even the
Math Department and CAS have offered
me advice.”
Patel admits that arriving in the U.S. was
a big culture shock for him, but he reme-
dies his homesickness by continuing to
practice hobbies he picked up back home.
Patel, cont’d., p. 25
Patel