Grayson College Adult Education & Literacy Wins $10,000 for Work with Tyson Foods

Denison: Grayson College’s Adult Education and Literacy program won $10,000 from the Texas Workforce Commission during its annual conference held last week in Grapevine. GC received third place in TWC’s statewide Employer Partnership Awards for their work with Tyson Foods in Sherman.

“Grayson College is proud to partner with industry to help build Texoma,” GC President Dr. Jeremy McMillen said. “We are proud of our AEL team and their amazing work. We are grateful for Tyson’s vision to allow us to help educate their workforce, and we are humbled by the trust they place in us to help make a difference.”

GC AEL provides the instructors, course materials, and curriculum for two English as a second language classes and one high school equivalency class held on-site at Tyson Foods’ facility for its employees. Tyson refers to this program as the Upward Academy.

“It’s a significant vehicle to improve the lives of our valued team members,” Sherman Plant Manager Bill McKeeman said. “It's a privilege and honor to invest in the future of our team and our community as a whole.”

Studies show that employer sponsored educational training promotes higher retention rates and higher engagement rates. Improved communication within the plant can also reduce safety incidences, boost efficiency and increase production.

Seventy-one team members at Tyson Foods attended classes in the prior academic year and 63 percent of those made at least one educational level gain. Workers with a high school diploma earn an average of $8,000 more annually and enjoy other socio-economic benefits including improved health, longer lives and lower levels of criminal behavior, according to reports from the Alliance for Excellent Education.

“Adult education and literacy is key to gaining and retaining employment,” Workforce Solutions Texoma Executive Director Janie Bates said. “GC does a great job working with local employers and providing services in our Workforce Centers. We are very proud of our partnership with GC AEL and proud of their accomplishments! This is a well-deserved award.”

Registration for adult education classes is always open. Classes are completely free, and funds are available to assist students with GED testing fees.

For more information about the GC Adult Education and Literacy Program, call 903.463.8784 or email to ael@grayson.edu.

About Grayson College Adult Education and Literacy: For more than 20 years, Grayson College Adult Education and Literacy has partnered with the Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions Texoma to provide adult education services in Cooke, Grayson and Fannin Counties. Across Texas, adult education services and the corresponding grant funding are allocated and aligned by the workforce area, not by the service area of the grantee. Grayson College’s mission of student success is fulfilled through the AEL program across the tri-county area with more than 20 adult literacy classes. Grayson College’s vision is to transform individuals, build communities, and inspire excellence.