September 2006
News from our Education Department

Sober College Enrolls Eleven Students into Fall Semester at Pierce College

For some of the students it was the first time in a long while that they had sat in a classroom sober.  “This is a great day for Sober College and our students”, proclaimed Michael Cahlin, Academic Director.  “Pierce is a wonderful environment for our students to get back in the swing of attending college.  We’ve been able to build some confidence and success in our education center, but nothing beats the actual college experience.”

Sober College has quickly grown to its’ current level of 35 students.  According to Brian Brekke, LAC, Operations Director, “This is a new paradigm in the treatment industry.  Young adults are the most underserved and the most in need in terms of residential drug and alcohol treatment services.  We are creating the opportunity for them to succeed in natural environments, in a gym, at a job, attending college classes.  Our approach is long-term and allows them to put into practice the tools of sobriety that they have learned in primary treatment settings.”

A 2500 square foot education center provides Sober College students the place to return to education in a supportive setting.  “Taking a newly sober young adult and immediately placing them in a collegiate setting is counterproductive to their success”, explains Brekke.  “Our teachers and counselors utilize distance learning options in our own setting to give them the foundation for success before setting them onto the college campus.  In most cases we are using Pierce College.  It really serves our needs and provides a quality education for our students.  We foresee over the next few years growing to over 100 students and look forward to providing them quality education options.” 

According to the Pierce College Website: 

“Pierce College has one of the highest transfer performances in Southern California. Pierce Honors students have the enviable record of never been turned down for admission to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Pierce College students also transfer to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) in greater numbers than any other college. Pierce prepares its students for academic success after transferring to a university. A study by UCLA, showed that Pierce students graduated from UCLA with a higher GPA than students from any other transfer college.”

About Sober College:

Sober College, headquartered in Southern California, is a small private institution providing alcohol and drug treatment environments for young adults age 17 to 29.  The Sober College curriculum builds core competencies in life skills, employment, academics, emotional well-being and fitness. For further information visit our website at www.sobercollege.com or call 800-465-0142.