CSI Career College expanding

Article Launched: 08/04/2005 06:48:15 AM

Academic pursuits
CSI Career College expanding

By Megan Lloyd-Jones/Reporter Intern
Local business and health care school, CSI Career College, is moving with the times and adding new classrooms and courses.

The new 8,600 square-foot college has undergone a dramatic facelift from the two-classroom, 12-computer school it once was nine years ago.

Celebrating its grand re-opening this evening, the college moved from the Orchard Professional Building to Orange Drive, next to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Vacaville.

Joanie Reed, president and CEO of CSI Career College, said she likes the new location because of its visibility from the freeway.

The college also recently received accreditation for all its programs, Reed said, enabling the school to offer its students financial aid from the federal government.

"By the end of September we'll be able to offer classes to everyone who walks through the door," Reed said.

Before gaining accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education, Reed said the school was limited in who could be accepted into its programs. Through accreditation, Reed said, her business will be more secure, and able to expand.

A new Licensed Vocational Nursing Program is set to be added to the list of many clinical programs offered at the college in October, Reed said. The course is awaiting approval from the Board of

Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians but Reed said the program has already received provisional approval.

Reed has great things planned for the college, where she began as a trainer before becoming the school's president in 1998.

"Ultimately I would like to develop a RN program," Reed said. "The goal is in the next two years." Reed said.

Launching a dental program is another must on Reed's to-do list, which she hopes to have up and running by the middle of next year.

With only one employee living outside Solano County, Reed is focused on keeping her staff and students local.

"Our goal is to get them out of the commute and give them the skills to stay here locally," Reed said.

Today's grand re-opening celebration will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the new college facilities, 611 Orange Drive, Suite K.

Megan Lloyd-Jones can be reached at newsroom@thereporter.com.