Life-Long Learning

Leadership: Lance Compton, Red Clay

The goal for education and life-long learning is that all students in Gainesville-Hall County public systems or private area high schools have taken some classes from a post-secondary institution (Gainesville State College, Lanier Technical College, Brenau University, and North Georgia College & State University) before they graduate.  For some, it means graduation involves receiving three pieces of paper: a diploma, a training certificate from a post-secondary institution and a job offer from an employer.
 
The Education Consortium Committee, chaired by Dr. Merrianne Dyer of Gainesville City Schools, includes representatives from Gainesville City Schools, Hall County Schools, Lakeview Academy, Riverside Military Academy, Featherbone Communiversity, Lanier Technical College, Gainesville State College, North Georgia College and State University, Brenau University and other private schools meet every other month to discuss school activity and determine opportunities for collaboration.  
 
The creators of Featherbone Communiversity consider the community learning center important in the historic role in the life and welfare of Gainesville and the North Georgia region. Featherbone Communiversity provides an opportunity to make connections, engage in collaborative learning, imagine possibilities, and work together to create a better quality of life for all. The participating founders of Featherbone Communiversity are the Brenau University Department of Nursing, the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, and the Lanier Technical College Manufacturing Development Center (Incubator Companies). It is also the home for the Gainesville offices of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center and the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute.