Macon County Chief’s Diploma Program Expands into Southwest Georgia

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Macon County Chief’s Diploma Program Expands into Southwest Georgia

Macon County Chief’s Diploma Program Expands into Southwest Georgia
The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization specializing in community development. The Foundation provides support to rural law enforcement agencies for community policing activities and alternative diploma programs. Its founder and director, Dr. Annise Mabry, is an educator and the author of Educational Disobedience.

Oglethorpe, GA – The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation proudly announced the expansion of the Chief’s Diploma Program (CDP) into the Ellaville Police Department, the Butler Police Department, and the Buena Vista Police Department. With underwriting from International Paper, Flint Energies, and State Farm, the program brings together educators, police departments, judges, state probation and city officials throughout Southwest Central Georgia to help adult learners earn their high school diplomas.

Each of the police departments will nominate four adult learners from their communities to participate in CDP expansion program. CDP officials will create individual learning plans for each student, drawn from Dr. Mabry’s successful Tiers Free Academy model. Academic mentors will coach the students throughout the program.

“I developed Tiers Free Academy when I had to homeschool my daughter because she needed a different learning environment,” notes Dr. Mabry. “But it’s perfect for adult learners. It’s self-paced, which gives adults the freedom they need to organize their days, and it’s mastery-based, which ensures that their diplomas mean what they say.”

This is especially significant in Southwest Central Georgia, where the number of working age adults without a diploma is as high as 53% in some counties. A workforce with more diploma holders is simply more competitive. And that means a stronger local economy, with all the associated benefits.

Strong local economies impact all areas of a community—especially when it comes to law enforcement. Butler Chief Kain Cobb reflects why the Chief’s Diploma Program appealed to him for his community “I feel as though people who leave school for, whatever the reason, should have a chance to pick up where they left off and be afforded the opportunity to obtain a diploma. Maybe they only lack a few credits. Maybe their hectic schedule won’t allow them time to attend classes at a set classroom schedule, maybe they lack childcare or maybe they don’t have transportation. Whatever the reason may be, I hope that this partnership will allow those in our community to obtain a diploma so that they may be more successful in life and in the workforce.”

The Oglethorpe Police Department is the headquarters for the Chief’s Diploma Program.  Oglethorpe Police Chief Rachael Lee Hart has experienced the life transforming moments from the program first hand.

Chief Hart reflects on making her first phone call to tell a high school dropout that she had met all of the requirements to be a high school graduate. “I called the student on the way home and her daughter answered the phone. I will always remember that moment when I told her that she was a high school graduate because the student dropped the phone and began crying. Her daughter picked up the phone and said ‘Mommy, you can go to college now like me.’ The impact of this program for the City of Oglethorpe has transformed our community for generations”.

Excitement about the expansion of the Southwest Georgia Chiefs’ Diploma Program is spreading through the cities! Buena Vista Mayor Kevin Brown said, “I am looking forward to implementing this program in the City of Buena Vista.  This resource has the potential to positively change the lives of young people and their families.”

Assistant Butler Police Chief Matthew Woodard attended the inaugural graduation ceremony and began talking with ChiefKain Cobb about how to create a partnership with the foundation regarding the program expansion. 

“It’s hard to describe what happens when you see these students transition to high school graduates right before your eyes. I wanted our citizens to have that opportunity” said Woodard.

Ellaville Police Chief Lightner said, “I am honored to support the Chief’s Diploma Program and to bring such an opportunity to the citizens of Ellaville.”

Assistant Buena Vista Police Chief Sharon Williams shares the enthusiasm for bringing the Chief’s Diploma Program to the City of Buena Vista “We are excited about bringing The Chiefs’ Diploma Program to Buena Vista as part of our Public Safety, Education, Accountability, Community Involvement and Enhanced Equipment (PEACE) Initiative. We are committed to building and bridging relationships throughout the communities one step (and now one high school diploma) at a time.”

To learn more about how Southwest Central Georgia stands to benefit from the Chief’s Diploma Program, or for more information about how to access community policing resources for your city, please contact Dr. Annise Mabry at [email protected], or at 650-741-5019.

The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization specializing in community development. The Foundation provides support to rural law enforcement agencies for community policing activities and alternative diploma programs. Its founder and director, Dr. Annise Mabry, is an educator and the author of Educational Disobedience.

Media Contact
Company Name: Oglethorpe Police Department
Contact Person: Chief Rachael Lee Hart
Email: Send Email
Phone: (478) 472-7538
Address:500 Sumter Street
City: Oglethorpe
State: GA
Country: United States
Website: https://cityofoglethorpe.com/police-department

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