Education Center staff ready to help new students to take first step towards higher education Published April 16, 2007 By Valerie Mullett 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Now that the $500,000 remodeling of the Education and Training Center here is complete, the staff and facility are even more prepared to offer Team Malmstrom members the best in higher learning opportunities. Along with the cleaner, more modern look customers face when entering the building, the latest and greatest in technology awaits them when they sign up for in-houseclasses, need help with online courses or want to hold a one-time briefing. Underneath the new look is the backbone of the program - the trained and dedicated education counseling professionals. "Higher learning isn't limited to classroom training anymore, as many people know," said Leonard Dezaiffe, test control officer at the Education and Training Center. "Of course, we still offer classroom settings, but we also assist students with selecting an approved online program and provide guidance on distance learning." For the enlisted members just getting started or interested in picking up where they left off with their Community College of the Air Force degree, they need to contact Wayne Benson or Melissa Laferriere for an appointment. They can be reached at 731-4222. "Anyone who has visions of making senior or chief master sergeant absolutely needs, at a minimum, their CCAF degree," Mr. Dezaiffe said. In addition to Mr. Benson and Ms. Laferriere, Mrs. Callahan is also a certified education counselor available by appointment to discuss education options. Other services offered at the center include: Testing Coordination for CLEP/DANTES testing CDC final testing General certification training Proctors for distance learning finals On the military side of the house, Mike Giordino also provides testing for the following on an appointment only basis. He can be contacted at 731-4349. Weighted Airman Performance System testing Defense Language Aptitude Battery testing Foreign Language Proficiency Pay testing Electronic Data Processing Testing (for those wanting to cross train into Computer Services or Information Management career fields) Air Force Reading Achievement testing Classification testing The three universities with satellite offices at Malmstrom include Troy, Park and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Their numbers are: Troy: 727-5451 Park: 761-7540 Embry-Riddle: 727-9901 Call their representatives for specific questions on their programs. Coming in March is an education fair tentatively planned at the Grizzly Bend Club. Education opportunities from not only Malmstrom, but from the local Great Falls community and supporting online and distance learning institutions will be featured. Watch for more details in upcoming issues of the High Plains Warrior. In the meantime, Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology is hosting help with financial aid forms. See the advertisement below for more information.