PSBO offers something for everyone

By: Joanna Ware

Posted: 3/10/09

The Public Service and Business Outreach Center (PSBO) offers a variety of different classes open to anyone.

According to the PSBO web site, there are over 500 classes offered each semester, providing opportunities for participation in a wide variety of programs designed for professional development, personal enrichment, and recreation.

The organization started in the 1940s, and initially served to provide farmers with useful information, which could benefit them in the work environment. They offered classes such as tractor, poultry, daily, and family development.

Now, the PSBO offers over 500 different classes ranging from cake decorating to small business insurance. These classes are taught in a stress-free environment with no tests, no grades, and most importantly no admission requirements. They only require students of the program to pay a small fee.

Diane Kilgore serves as the Director of the PSBO and Vonda Fenn is the Program Coordinator.

Kilgore has been the Director at ABAC for 20 years. "We are the outreach arm of the college," Kilgore said. "We have the third largest continuing education program in the state."

Typically, people have misconceptions about continuing education and the importance of the program. "Many people think of continuing education as just basket weaving, but what they don't realize is that a huge percentage of our classes are career building classes that can be used later on in life."

The PSBO offers classes, which could potentially benefit those in the work environment such as Microsoft Excel and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

Fenn is mostly in charge of Kids' College, which offers programs for kids with many different activities ranging from athletics to art, and also covering different school subjects.

The programs offered by PSBO are not only beneficial for students at ABAC, but also members of the Tift County community.

"The PSBO courses are beneficial by updating career or professional skills, preparing for finding a job or making a job change, improving personal or family life, becoming better informed, or learning new arts or skills such as painting, sewing, or even woodworking," Fenn said.

Director of Public Relations Mike Chason has been involved in many different trips with PSBO. "I write a travel log for the Sunday edition of The Tifton Gazette after each trip and also produce video documentation of the trips in which I attend," Chason said.

"I think the PSBO is a very vital part of the college, and participants can receive insight about a hobby for a very low cost," he said.

There is not any financial aid available at this time; however, faculty, staff, and students at ABAC can often receive reduced prices. Every semester courses are offered. A wide range of classes is offered for anyone to enjoy.

Registration for these courses is easily accessible in many different ways. There is online registration, mail-in registration, registration in person at the PSBO office in Weltner Hall, registration by telephone by calling (229) 391-5070. The hours of the PBSO office on campus are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The PSBO is an excellent organization that offers a wide range of classes and trips to both ABAC students and Tift County community members. Not only does the program offer insight to hobbies but also other classes that can be used in the workforce. With an easy registration process and a low cost, the PSBO offers great programs, where learning is fun!