EVSC School Board Approves JAG Program for Academy for Innovative Studies

EVSC School Board Approves JAG Program for Academy for Innovative Studies

The Board of School Trustee for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation has approved a partnership with Vincennes University to provide the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Program to selected students at the Academy for Innovative Studies.
Vincennes University will provide an instructor, a career building curriculum, assessments, interest inventories, and numerous opportunities to gain work experience and exposure to various careers for students in the JAG program.
“In order to qualify for JAG, students must demonstrate that they are motivated to graduate and successfully complete the program,” said Kristine Eichholz, assistant director of AIS-First Avenue. “Students must also meet income guidelines and JAG instructors prefer juniors or seniors. Staff members were asked to nominate students for the JAG class based on behavior, attendance, motivation, and grades.”
The instructor will be housed at AIS for one day each week at each of the AIS campuses and will work with selected students at each campus to determine their career interests, do workshops on resume building, interview skills, and put them in situations where they have an opportunity to use the skills they have learned, including internship opportunities. JAG will also provide guest speakers, college visits, and learning opportunities to all students at both campuses.
“Our students have been extremely interested in this program. They ask every day if they have been nominated, and they quickly point out their attributes that make them JAG material,” Eichholz added.
Karen Scheessele, director of special services for the EVSC said, “The EVSC and Vincennes University have worked extremely hard to bring the JAG Program to students at AIS. It has the potential to make a profound impact in the lives of students who are selected to participate. This is a true example of bringing learning to life.”
Funding for the program will be at no cost to the EVSC. It is provided through the Workforce Investment Act.