Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Adult Education and Onramp Program Coordinator, Sarah Strickley, who has been selected by the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) as a 2023 State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow (SAAEF) representing Idaho.
COABE focuses on the development of leadership, advocacy skills, research capacity, and network of influence for adult educators, educational staff, and administrators. The fellowship helps build a robust network of leaders and advocates focused on the advancement of adult literacy across the country.
Throughout the year, fellows will engage in national and regional policy discussions and join a growing number of peers dedicated to building advocacy. The COABE State Advocacy Fellowship comprises a series of federal- and state-related training sessions focused on building advocacy and leadership skills.
“I am thrilled for the 2023 SAAEF Fellows as they spend the next year learning how to become better advocates for adult education across the country and better leaders, with the ultimate goal of providing the best adult education systems for our students,” said Chair of the SAAEF Fellowship Program, Jeffrey Abramowitz. “We are mindful that legislators do not make policy, the stories of our students and our teachers do.”
“I am so excited for the opportunity to connect with advocates around the country and learn how I can best advocate for adult education programs,” said Strickley. “SAAEF will train me to amplify student voices and increase visibility and support of adult education programming in our state. Adult education opportunities can be transformative, not only for the individuals receiving the opportunities but also for the communities they are situated in. Adult Education at CWI serves Idahoans by preparing students for their GEDs, providing English language and digital skills instruction, and workforce training. I look forward to sharing the great work we do in adult education at CWI and across the state.”