Sober College and Woodbury University Mission Statement
“Guided by the principles of both institutions, Woodbury University and Sober College partner to provide a program of distinction that intertwines the best of addiction treatment and recovery with uncompromising excellence in academics. In its’ purest form, the Certificate of General Studies, focused on those in recovery from addiction, introduces or re-introduces its’ participating students to an experience of higher education. On a macro level, with the unique needs of addiction recovery community in mind, this partnership will create a combined education and treatment experience that will lead to long-term recovery and more successful participation in the higher education system”
Sober College has entered into a partnership with Woodbury University, an institution with over 125 years of academic excellence. Since its founding in 1884, Woodbury University has been “committed to providing the highest level of professional and liberal arts education.” Located near the Sober College campus in Burbank California, Woodbury University offers young adults a wide range of classes, a healthy environment, and constant motivation to become successful and responsible adults.
Our relationship with Woodbury began in 2008 when Dorinda Angelucci, Communications Professor invited students from Sober College to take a media studies course on the campus at Woodbury University. From there it developed into classes being taught at Sober College and eventually into a true partnership. “Sober College and Woodbury University have been working together for a couple of years. Formalizing the relationship into a partnership was a natural progression for us,” says Corrine Barner, Academic Director, “Working with Woodbury has been so easy and painless. They really understand our students.”
The focus of the partnership between Sober College and Woodbury University has been to work on the alignment of the mission and educational objectives of the two institutions. According to Dr. Edward Clift, “We are crafting a curriculum out of the existing Sober College core concepts aligned with our institutional goals. Our core purpose is to introduce, or in some case, re-introduce the learner to higher education and bring out the creativity inherent within them.” The idea behind a Certificate of General Studies is that it validates a person beginning on a path of higher education. They have completed core requirements that evidence their ability to express themselves within a larger context.
Currently at Sober College we offer two courses from Woodbury University that are fully developed and are being taught in our classrooms. The Public Speaking course teaches students how to think in an organized fashion and represent themselves verbally. This course paired with the Sober College life skills competency gives the skills they will need for a successful transition in either higher education or workplace. In addition to core public speaking requirements, through this course students learn time management, research skills and proper study skills. Our creative writing course opens the student’s written expression skills and helps residents learn technical wiriting and creative expression. The additional three courses being developed will build on what residents are already learning and contribute further to a foundation on skills and knowledge they will need as they continue on their academic tracks.
‘While teaching the students basic skills, the courses in the Certificate of General Studies will potentially propel our students motivation to be a part of the academic world,” says Barner, “These courses will help make our students transition into higher education after Sober College smoother, by providing them with tools, as basic foundation of knowledge and constant encouragement that will build their self confidence and prepare them for the future.”
Woodbury University is dedicated to helping young adults succeed in education as well as in life, so it was no surprise when they jumped on the opportunity to be apart of this unparalled step in combining education and treatment. Together with Woodbury University, Sober College will help struggling young adults not only get sober, but begin and continue on an educational path to success.
