Chipola Take Stock in Children Earns Gold

The Chipola College Take Stock in Children program has earned the Excellence Award, Gold Level Category from its statewide parent organization, and Debra Perdue, Chipola TSIC student services coordinator, was honored for her dedication to the organization.

Local TSIC programs that provide college readiness and mentoring supports to middle and high school students vie for the award.  TSIC Gold Level award is the highest achievement within the statewide organization.

According to Mrs. Perdue, “Our serving communities, school districts, mentors, and the Chipola Foundation have all contributed to this accolade.”  TSIC serves students who are at-risk for dropping out of school. Students are matched with a mentor, receive in-school support, and college readiness services provided by TSIC college success coaches. Upon high school graduation, students earn a college scholarship.

TSIC mentors meet with their assigned students each week during the school year, offering encouragement, advice, and a sympathetic ear. Mrs. Perdue, also the TSIC college success coach, provides support and guidance to the mentor and the mentee.

To earn Gold recognition, local TSIC programs must meet or exceed 10 key indicators of performance and adherence to the requirements of the Florida Department of Education. The TSIC data reporting system measures student readiness, the number of students recruited, mentor matching rates, and mentor contacts.

The Chipola College affiliate, which consists of Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty and Washington counties, recently inducted 29 new students into the program and will serve a total of 51 students in public high schools in the 2020-21 school year.

Perdue’s service to the program began in October 2018.  She came to Chipola from the Florida Department of Education as State Supervisor of IT and Business, Management and Administration.  Prior to her five years at FLDOE she taught technology at Blountstown High School. 

Dr. Matthew Hughes is the Dean of Assessment, Compliance and Grants at Chipola College.  He is also the Executive Director of Chipola College TSIC.  Perdue says, “Dr. Hughes along with Chipola President Dr. Sarah Clemmons, President of Chipola College, have given TSIC strong support and encouragement.  It is thanks to their backing that we can provide this service to our community.”

To become a TSIC mentor, contact Perdue at perdued@chipola.edu or call 850-209-5314.