What's New?

For some time now, BrightStar Education Group has been seeking ways to distinguish our school from the many competitors for our medical division students. We know that we have the best instructors around. What we need is a way to show prospective students that we go the extra mile to make sure they are able to succeed. This is especially true for medical division students, since there are so many schools who offer similar programs to ours. 

We are launching an online tutor (using a chat feature on MyIOT) that will give our medical division students a distinct advantage. Students will be able to access this online tutor at various times throughout the week, including evening hours. We have been searching for the right person to run this critical initiative, which will serve students from all Institute of Technology campuses that offer medical programs. We have now found that person. 

Kimberly Kempen has agreed to serve as our MyIOT Online Medical Tutor. Kim has the right combination of experience and skills to take on this new role. She was formerly an effective instructor in our medical division, and has most recently served as the director of Career Services for our campus. She understands how to relate to students, and she knows what our students need in order to attain success in their new careers. 

Kim will start her new role on Monday. While we search for a new Director of Career Services, I will manage the career services team. In fact, starting Monday, I will most usually be found in the career services office. 

We look forward to seeing how this effort increase retention and helps our students succeed. Once we have perfected the process with our medical division students, we will consider other programs that might benefit from an online tutor as well. 

Ron Gardner has been promoted to Clovis’ new Assistant Director of Admissions. 

Mr. Gardner joined the Clovis admissions team in November, 2007 and has had an immediate and positive impact on the team, becoming one of our top performers shortly after completing his training program. During the first six months of 2008, Ron has earned the respect of his peers and of employees throughout our school. He is an enthusiastic and professional team player, with considerable leadership skill. During the next month, he will have the opportunity to train under the tutelage of Jim Haga, our company CEO, who is currently serving as the Clovis Campus Interim Director of Admissions. 

Congratulations Ron!  We welcome your leadership!

IOT Graduate Joseph Rodriguez has been promoted from financial aid clerk to financial aid officer! 

Mr. Rodriguez graduated with honors from the Administrative Office Professional program at Institute of Technology. A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he used the GI Bill to help pay for his education. Since he began his employment at the Institute of Technology- Clovis last year, Joseph has earned the respect and admiration of his co-workers with his hard work and his polite and helpful demeanor. Please join us in congratulating him on his new position as Financial Aid Officer.  

I am pleased to announce that Gena Garibay has been named as the Lead Financial Aid Officer for the Modesto Campus In this capacity, she will provide leadership to all Financial Aid Officer’s at the Modesto Campus and handle any requests from the corporate office. Gena has proven to be an effective leader and mentor to the Financial Aid here at Modesto, her excellence in customer service is above and beyond. She is an important part of the TEAM here at Modesto. 

Congratulations to Gena on her new role! 

I’m pleased to announce, we have added one more category to the Hall of Fame:

Director of Admissions of the Year.

Joe Haydock, now the Campus President at Clovis, has been named the 2007 Director of Admissions of the Year for 2007. In 2007, under his leadership, the Clovis Coyotes enrolled 1421 students from 7303 leads which means they enjoyed a L/E average during the entire year of 19% (21% is considered perfect). Congratulations Mr. Haydock.

Kim Clemmons, Director of Student Services at Modesto, displays the new Hall of Fame letterman jacket awarded to the top performers in their field at Institute of Technology.