BRIGHTON — About 20 parents and students expressed interest in the proposed cohort partnership program between Indian River State College (IRSC) and the Tribe’s Education Department at an informational meeting Jan. 28 in Brighton.

The cohort will consist of 12 to 15 students who will attend and graduate college as a group.

Meeting attendees learned about different business majors under consideration for a bachelor’s degree – including business administration and organizational management – and learned about a program to complete an associate degree.

“They seemed open to the idea of a cohort,” said Veronica Ramsundar, program manager for the Tribe’s Higher Education Department. “They got a better grasp of the benefits it would provide in terms of support, including small class size and going to class with other Tribal members.”

Whether the student chooses the associate or bachelor’s degree program, it will take two years to complete.

Students will take four classes in the fall and spring semesters and two classes in the summer.

“We have a plan in place,” said IRSC provost Russ Brown. “I think they all thought it is a good idea so they could push each other to complete it. The convenience of having it so close at the Okeechobee campus or doing work online in a group is another benefit of a cohort.”

The program is scheduled to begin in August for the fall session at IRSC’s Okeechobee campus. The deadline for applications is late June, and the Education Department is promoting the program via K-12 advisers and Higher Education recruiters.

For more information, contact Veronica Ramsundar at 954-989-6840 ext. 10596.