Join us for a virtual lunch & learn as Chris Reese, K-64 Executive Director from Catawba Valley Community College takes 30 minutes to share an overview and exciting updates regarding the K-64 Initiative.

K-64 is turning education inside out by directly connecting local students with a world of opportunities. From learning in technology-rich environments to experiencing local and global employment possibilities, K-64 actively engages students of all ages in preparing for viable and sustainable careers throughout their lifetime.

K-64 is managed by Catawba Valley Community College in collaboration with local businesses, community partners, Catawba County Schools, Hickory Public Schools, Newton-Conover City Schools, Catawba County Government, Catawba Economic Development Corporation, and the Catawba County Chamber. The initiative is overseen by a commissioner-appointed, 12-member board of directors that works to :

• Partner with local schools and businesses to increase the opportunities for career development, training and employment within the local and global workforce.
   
• Build on what's already working by replicating success local programs across the education system.
   
• Identify and incorporate new leading-edge educational strategies to complement what's already working, including looking outside traditional channels to cultivate ideas and generate support.
   
• Leverage tax dollars, private contributions and grant funds to support program expansion and sustainability.
   
• Be transparent and accountable: document, measure and share progress to generate program momentum and longevity.

Speaker: Chris Reese, Executive Director of K-64 Learning.  With extensive managerial and entrepreneurial experience in the business - private sector, I moved into education and career management for our aspiring, young workforce. My experiences with for-profit businesses' continuous work force dilemmas and my own start-up enterprises' challenges, made a natural migration for me to help, educate and mentor our local manpower for the global economy.