St. Tammany Center offers non-credit community courses
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
2/22/08
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s St. Tammany Center is expanding its community course offerings. New programs include financial literacy, how to write a novel, computer courses and ACT Test Preparation.
The National Endowment for Financial Education is sponsoring a financial literacy class that will be taught by Stella Helluin, director of Southeastern’s St. Tammany Center, located on the third floor of the St. Tammany Parish government complex, 21454 Koop Drive in Mandeville. The class is designed to help individuals acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to take control of their financial destiny.
“Concepts covered in the class will include creating an overall financial plan, investing, using credit wisely and protecting your assets,” said Helluin, who is also an accounting instructor at Southeastern.
The class, which will be held March 4, 6, and 11 from 6-9 p.m., is open to junior high school students through senior citizens.
Robin Wells, author of the recently published “Between the Sheets,” will teach a class on “How to Write a Novel.” The six-week course will cover the basics of writing novel-length fiction, including story structure, plotting, character development, dialogue, description and point of view. Additionally, Wells will critique up to 25 pages of a class member’s novel and offer tips on getting published.
The class is scheduled Tuesdays April 1 – May 6 from 7-8 p.m. and is open to anyone 18 years of age and older.
Helluin said the St. Tammany Center has also significantly increased its offering of non-credit computer courses and has established a Microsoft Testing Center.
“We are continuing to offer discounted courses to senior citizens, including introduction to basic computer classes for those 60 years and older, which will be held Feb. 29 from 9 a.m.–noon for $90,” said Laura Zammit, assistant director of the St. Tammany Center.
Additional offerings include Basic Windows XP Operating System on March 11 from 6-9 p.m., Advanced Windows XP Operating System March 13 from 6-9 p.m., and Microsoft Excel on March 27 from 1-4 p.m. All classes are $90. Classes on PowerPoint and Publisher software programs are scheduled for later this spring.
Zammit said the St. Tammany Center is a Microsoft authorized testing center for the Microsoft office specialist certification.
“Currently we can test candidates on the Microsoft Office Specialist or MOS certification. This certification is a globally recognized standard that validates computer desktop skills and includes tests on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access,” said Zammit.
“This certification tells potential employers you are an expert on Microsoft desktop skills,” Zammit continued. “It can boost your resume, prepare you for a computer helpdesk job or help qualify you for a Microsoft instructor position.”
The St. Tammany Center also offers free test preparation for the MOS exam. Participants can sign up to use free practice testing software and have access to reference materials to prepare for the test. Call 985-893-6251 for an appointment with Zammit.
“The center is excited to offer ACT test preparation, as well as our standard programs such as Southeastern Community Music lessons, a notary preparation course, Toastmasters, and cardio vascular tech training,” Helluin said.
All classes will be held at the St. Tammany Center. Costs include all books and materials. To register, visit the non-credit courses links at selu.edu/sttammanycenter or call 985-893-6251.
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