May 8, 2025 | By Mark Brimmerman, CONNECT Intern with JCCC Strategic Communications and Marketing
When I was in an IEP meeting in my last year at high school, I heard some options for programs that would help strengthen my independence and becoming an adult with challenges that could happen in my future. My teachers and my career transition specialist recommended CONNECT because they knew my academic level in high school. Months later, before my graduation, I received the letter of acceptance into the CONNECT program.
I always wanted to know what the CONNECT program was like before I enrolled, and many students at JCCC don’t know what the CONNECT Program does. Courtney Barden and Jordyn Bogdan, who work in the Supported Education Program at JCCC, explained the history of the program.
Meet the Staff
Courtney Barden, Supportive Education Program Director, started working with JCCC in the CLEAR Program after graduating from high school. She started as an aide. She went to school to become a social worker and then came back to become an instructor. Years later, she got an offer to become the new Director of the Supported Education Program. Her favorite thing about her job that she enjoys, Barden says, “We’re lucky that we will get to build long-term relationships with our students who have been coming since before I was born. We get to watch growth happen.”
Jordyn Bogdan, CONNECT Manager, has been an integral part of JCCC since the days of the CLEAR Saturday Program. She played a big role in shaping what we now know as CONNECT. When asked about her favorite aspect of her job, Bogdan says that she loves the flexibility of not being stuck at her desk all day. Instead, she thrives on engaging with students and teaching them essential life skills. Plus, she enjoys the freedom to move around the campus, so she's not just confined to a single classroom.
Catie Marx, Community Programs Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the CLEAR programs as well as community partnerships. Within CONNECT, Marx serves as the transition advisor, helping second-year students with their capstone projects and providing information regarding community resources.
About the Program
The CONNECT program helps students figure out what they want to do next. It gives them a way to spend two years discovering the next step for themselves. It’s not an ending – it’s a jumping off point. The program helps with that elongated transition from school to adulthood that helps some students thrive. Before CONNECT came to life, both parents and students were eager to share their thoughts and ideas about unmet needs in the community. They were looking for opportunities for students to take classes for credit or even audit courses.
When the process was coming together, Barden conducted research on different Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Programs across the country to see what might work and what might not. She then had meetings with parents and students to gather the necessary information to achieve their goals. A proposal was written and presented to the Dean, who gave Barden the approval to pitch it to the VP and test it as a pilot program. The Board of Trustees supported this program becoming brand new on campus and allocated funding to get it started. The program launched with its first cohort in Fall 2022. Reviewing the program, they've been able to learn what is and isn't working and continually improve the experience for students. It helped us find new ideas to make the program even better, ensuring it continues to support students effectively at JCCC.
Advice to Future Students
Barden and Bogdan have advice to share for current employees and students who are interested in the CONNECT program.
“For students, if they’re interested in CONNECT, really preparing for taking on their own education and having an idea of what they want to do with an education, whether that’s gaining more workforce skills or taking classes that will lead them down a career path that would need an associate or bachelor’s degree,” Bogdan says. “You’ll get a lot more out of the program if you have that kind of desire or drive.” Barden’s advice to students: “For a student, this isn’t an easy program. We are going to push you to do things that you maybe didn’t think you could do or weren’t ready for, so you have to be ready to give it 100%.”
For other JCCC staff or employees, Barden says, “if people are interested in learning how to partner with CONNECT, reach out to me – our internships can provide opportunities to grow skills, learn expectations, provide first real work experience, help form the students’ experience and make it a good one for them. It’s a really cool opportunity. “Across the board – it has to be something you are passionate about and you’re ready to pour yourself into. This isn’t a job; it’s a thing you have to be passionate about. Any time you’re working with people, there are going to be challenging days and really great days, and you have to be ready for both. When the challenging days happen, you have to be ready to push through them.”
If this resonates with the needs of your student, we would be absolutely thrilled to hear from you! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at connect@jccc.edu or give us a call at 913-469-2536.