º£½ÇAV

Welcome to Transitional Studies at Clover Park Technical College!

Clover Park Technical College’s Transitional Studies program offers flexible, supportive learning options for adults ready to take the next step in their education and career. Whether you're improving your English, finishing high school, or preparing for college or workforce training—we’re here to help.

Important Information: GED/HS+ Completion Information Session is canceled for Monday, Dec. 22nd and Monday, Dec. 29³Ù³óÌý due to the Winter Break/Holidays.
Info Sessions will still be held Monday, Dec. 8th and Monday Dec. 15th at 10:30am & 5pm.Ìý

WINTER 2026 Enrollment

New Students: Registration for Winter 2026 classes (ABE, ESL, GED/HS+ Completion) begins December 2025 and classes start on Monday, Janurary 5, 2026. Fill out the . For more details, see the "New or Former Student Registration Process" tab below. If you have questions, call 253.589.5702 or email TransitionalStudies@cptc.edu.

  • Students returning from Winter 2025, Spring 2025,Ìýor earlier must fill out the as a "Former Student" and talk to a staff member for help.

Current students: Were you enrolled in Summer 2025? Please check-in with a Transitional Studies Staff.Ìý

Classes offered in Transitional Studies:Ìý

Transitional Studies, often called Adult Basic Education (ABE) or Adult Basic Skills, is a place many students first hear about through family, friends, or the community. If you tested into ABE when enrolling at the college, you’ve already been introduced to us. We offer programs such as:

  • ABE (Adult Basic Education) – Strengthen Math and English Foundations to confidently transition to college-level courses.
  • ESL/ELA (English as a Second Language / English Language Acquisition) – Improve reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English for daily life and career success.
  • GED & HS+ (High School Completion) – Choose between GED prep or a personalized path toward earning your high school diploma.
  • I-BEST (Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training) – Earn an associate degree faster with extra instructor support in career-focused programs.
  • Technology Literacy – Build confidence with computers, apps, email, and online communication to navigate today’s digital world.

<<ÌýExplore your options—select a program tab to discover how we can support your journey."

How Do I Get Started?
Please call 253-589-5702, email TransitionalStudies@cptc.eduÌýto get started and for more information.

What is ABE?
Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes help students build the skills they need for success in college, work, and daily life. ABE courses can:

  • Prepare for college-level courses with Math and English Foundations classes
  • Strengthen digital skills through our Technology Literacy classes
  • Earn credit toward a GED or High School Diploma

Who Is Eligible?

  • Adult students who need support building digital and computer skills
  • Students who intend toÌýenrollÌýin a college level program and test ABE classes.
  • AdultÌýstudents earning their GED or High School diploma
  • ESL students who want to advance to a higher English skill level

How Much Does the Program Cost?

There isÌýa $25 registration fee per quarter (each quarter isÌýapproximately eleven weeks long). Tuition waivers are available for students wi³Ù³óÌýfinancial need.Ìý

WhenÌýAre Classes Held?

Classes are held completely online, in-person at the Lakewood Campus, or in-person at our various off-site Locations. Online and on-campus classes are held Monday through Thursday mornings beginning at 9am, or evenings beginning at 6:30pm. Students may switch between day and evening classes when work or personal schedule changes happen.Ìý

How Do I Get Started?

Please call 253-589-5702, email TransitionalStudies@cptc.eduÌýto get started.Ìý

What is ESL?

English as a Second Language (ESL) (also known as English Language Acquisition or ELA)Ìýare classes for adults who do not speak English as their first language. The program focuses on the four language competencies: reading, writing, speaking and listening.Ìý

Who Is Eligible?

Resident immigrants or refugees who are 19 or older are eligible. Those on student or tourist visas are not eligible. If you are on a student visa, please visit our Ìýpage for more information.

How Much Does the Program Cost?

There isÌýa $25 registration fee per quarter (each quarter isÌýapproximately eleven weeks long). Tuition waivers are available for students wi³Ù³óÌýfinancial need.Ìý

WhenÌýAre Classes Held?

Classes are held completely online, in-person at the Lakewood Campus, or in-person at our various off-site Locations. Online and on-campus classes are held Monday through Thursday mornings beginning at 9am, or evenings beginning at 5:30pm. Off-site classes are also available at various Community-based locations around the Tacoma and Puyallup area; contact us for more information.Ìý

Students may switch between day and evening classes when work or personal schedule changes happen.Ìý

How Do I Get Started?

Please call 253-589-5702, email TransitionalStudies@cptc.eduÌýto get started.

What is GED & High School +?

For adult students who have not earned a high school diploma, there are two optionsÌýto gain this educational credential.

  • Option 1 - GED: Our GED classes will assist you to prepare for and take 4 of theÌýrequired tests (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies).Ìý
    • If you are 16, 17 or 18 years old, you must submit a Request for Approval to Test form OR a Notarized Statement/Letter for Home School Students to our office before admissions to the college. Email TransitionalStudies@cptc.edu for more information.Ìý
    • IMPORTANT INFO: Clover Park Technical College does not keep records of GED transcripts or certificates. GED records can be found by logging into the student's GED.com account. Call 1-877-EXAM-GED (1-877-392-6433) for further assistance.
    • As of June 2025, º£½ÇAV Testing Center will no longer be offering GED testing. For information on other nearby testing centers, please visit .
  • Option 2 - High School +: You may also decide to earn your high school diploma. The High School + option evaluates your high school transcript, along with yourÌýprofessional and personal experiences (i.e. being a parent; speaking another language) to earn additional high school credits. From there, you may take some ABE classes and/or GED tests for credit, and alsoÌýwork one-on-one with an instructor to finish the diploma.Ìý
    • If you are 16, 17 or 18 years old, you must submit a Request for Approval to Test form OR a Notarized Statement/Letter for Home School Students to our office before admissions to the college. Email TransitionalStudies@cptc.edu for more information.Ìý

How Do I Get Started?

GED/HS+ Completion Information Sessions happen every Monday (except during Holidays) at 10:30am or 5pm. Please contact TransitionalStudies@cptc.edu to start discussing which option is best for you!

Who Is Eligible?

Adult students whoÌýhave not earned a GED or High School diploma.

For international students/immigrants/refugees: if youÌýearned a high school diploma in another country, please attend the GED/HS+ Completion Information Session to discuss options with us before registering for GED classes.Ìý

How Much Does the Program Cost?

There isÌýa $25 registration fee per quarter (each quarter isÌýapproximately eleven weeks long). are available for students wi³Ù³óÌýfinancial need.Ìý

WhenÌýAre Classes Held?

Classes are held completely online, in-person at the Lakewood Campus, or in-person at our various off-site Locations. Online and on-campus classes are held Monday through Thursday mornings beginning at 9am, or evenings beginning at 5pm. Off-site classes are also available at various locations around the Tacoma area. Contact us for more information. Students may switch between day and evening classes when work or personal schedule changes happen.Ìý

What is I-BEST?

I-BEST is a certificate program that combines Adult Basic Education (ABE) with job skills training. You do not need a GED or high school diploma to join. It takes about 1 to 3 quarters to finish, and you can get a job or transfer credits to a degree. You must be enrolled in one of the certificate programs below before joining the ABE Support Course.

º£½ÇAV I-BEST Certificate Programs

(Inactive I-Best)

Our Automotive Technician program gives students hands-on training with the latest technology to help them get a job after graduation. The 85,000 square-foot facility has modern paint rooms, computer labs, classrooms, and shops.

º£½ÇAV's Automotive programs have won many national awards. If you love cars and want to learn how to make them work better, this program could be right for you.

(Active I-Best)

This apprenticeship readiness program prepares students with the skills needed for jobs in the construction industry.

Students will earn certifications in Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP), Forklift Operation, OSHA 10 Construction Safety, First Aid and CPR, Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP), and AED (defibrillator use).

(also known as CNA) (Inactive I-Best)

Students learn the basics of nursing, leading to employment as a Nursing Assistant – Certified (NA-C) or earn priority registration into Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) when all other requisites are - pre-met.

(LPN) (Inactive I-Best)

The Practical Nursing Program prepares students entry into the nursing profession. A practical nurse registered will work under the direction of a licensed nurse, licensed physician, or dentist. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX PN exam. This is a pathway program to Registered Nurse programs.

(Active I-Best)

Our Pharmacy Technician program offers hands-on training in the classroom and lab. It prepares you for a rewarding career helping pharmacists in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and community pharmacies.

Employers want graduates who are trained in pharmacy tasks based on the standards of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. These organizations set the rules for our program.

How Do I Get Started?

Visit the Welcome Center to ask for information about the Certificate Programs and contact TransitionalStudies@cptc.edu, if you have questions about the ABE Support class.
Ìý

Instructors

Jawahir AliÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email J. Ali

Nizar AliÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email N. Ali

Jason AndersonÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email J. Anderson

Patricia Baker ShermanÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
High School+ InstructorÌý(Online Only)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email P. BakerSherman

Christine CaroÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
GED Prep & High School+ InstructorÌý(Online Only)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email C. Caro

Luis ChocÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email L. ChocÌý

Sondra ClarkÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email S. ClarkÌý

Karen DavisÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email K. Davis

Elizabeth FlanaganÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ABE Instructor (Online Only)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email E. Flanagan

Diane FollettÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email D. Follett

Felice GallegoÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email F. Gallego Ìý

Jen GonthierÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
High School+ Instructor (Bilingual; Online Only)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email J. GonthierÌý

DeWayne GrimesÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ABE Math InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email D. Grimes

Jazmin GutierrezÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL/High School + Instructor (Bilingual)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email J. Gutierrez

Marjut KarlssonÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESLÌý InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email M. Karlsson

Ronald LethcoeÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email R. LethcoeÌý

Sandy MondragonÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL & High School+ InstructorÌý(Bilingual; Online Only)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email S. Mondragon

Pam MunizzaÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ABE & GED Prep (Math, English, Science) InstructorÌý(Online Only)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email P. Munizza

Tara NwokeÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL & I-Best InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email T. NwokeÌý

Alexander OllivantÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL & I-Best Support InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email A. Ollivant

Chris PearsonÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL Instructor (Online Only)ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email C. Pearson

Beth Salave'aÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
High School+ InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email E. Salave'a

Rocky SandovalÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ABE & ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email R. Sandoval

Cassidy WilkinsÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email C. Wilkins

Sue WilliamsÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ABE English & GED InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email S. Williams

Jenny ZhangÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL InstructorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email J. Zhang

StaffÌý

Karina CalzadaÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Instructional Program AssistantÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email K. Calzada

Felicia DennisÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
NavigatorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email F. Dennis

Eun Ha LeeÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
CASAS Assessment ProctorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email E. Lee

Larysa NazarenkoÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
ESL Assessment SupportÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email L. Nazarenko

Jenna PollockÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Dean for Pre-College PathwaysÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email J. Pollock

Samanda RomanÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Assessment & Data SpecialistÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email S. Roman

Jessica VazquezÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Entry Services CoordinatortÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email J. Vazquez

Riabelle VivasÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Pre-College Pathways Faculty AdvisorÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Email R. Vivas

1. Disability Resources
Depending on your learning style and/or physical needs, you may decide to request additional accommodations to help you succeed best. These may include, but are not limited to additional time for tests, ergonomicÌýfurniture, or note-taking software.
To get started, please visit theÌýDisability ResourcesÌýweb page.
You may be asked to complete this onlineÌý


2. Workforce Development
If you are considering enrolling in a college program, Workforce Development may be able to provide you with funding besides what is availableÌýfrom FAFSA. They also offer financial counseling; WorkSource services; and short-term training courses through Continuing Education. Please visit their Ìýto learn more.Ìý

Contact Us

Building 10, Room 102
Campus Maps Here

Fall Quarter Office Hours
September 29, 2025 - December 12, 2025
(CLOSED: Weekend & Holidays)
Monday:Ìý8:00am - 7:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 7:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 7:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 12:00pmÌý

Quarter Break Office Hours
December 15, 2025 - December 18, 2025
(CLOSED: December 19, 2025 - January 2, 2026)
Monday:Ìý8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: CLOSED

Make an Appointment Here:

Karina Calzada
(Habla Español)
Instructional Program AssistantÌý Ìý
Email K. Calzada
253-589-5705
‪253-293-5311‬ (text only)

Felicia Dennis
High School+ Navigator
Email F. Dennis

Eun Ha Lee
(한국ë§ì„ í•  수 있습니다)
LEP Navigator & CASAS Assessment Proctor
Email E. LeeÌý
253-589-5761
253-353-2498 (text only)

Larysa Nazarenko
(Я розмовлÑÑŽ українÑькою/руÑÑкий)
ESL Assessment Support Staff
Email L. Nazarenko
253-589-5707
318-459-8444 (text only)

Jessica Vazquez
(Habla Español)
Entry Services Coordinator
Email J. Vazquez
253-589-5880
253-254-6106 (text only)

Riabelle Vivas
Faculty Advisor
Email R. Vivas
253-589-4517
503-451-5004 (text only)