We hosted our recent International summit September 24th and 25th in Bangkok, Thailand.

During the two-day event GED Testing Service presented professional development and updates related to the GED test program, shared marketing and PR strategies and networked with our International partners and GED graduates.

We kicked off the summit with International GED graduates from our partner programs sharing their personal journeys to earning a GED credential. Each graduate spoke about the positive impact the credential has had on their life and how they have used it to pursue their college and career goals.

We also highlighted the accomplishment of the International program during our year-in-review presentation and that was followed by marketing tips and PR strategies to increase the visibility of the GED credential and adult education programs.

Professional development and teacher training sessions covered instructional tips and resources available to help prepare learners for the GED test subjects.

Partners also had the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions with GED Testing Service and share the success of their individual programs.

Other conference topics included government relations and policy, data and research related to postsecondary outcomes, and tools programs can use to help manage student enrollment.

Presentations from the conference can be found here.

Thank you to all our partners who helped make this year’s event a success!

In this month’s Q&A feature we learn more about GED Testing Service’s new President Vicki Greene.

Tell us more about your background.

After graduating college as a Public Relations major, I was hoping to start a career in broadcasting. I had an internship with a newspaper and loved the idea of writing and telling people’s stories. After my internship ended, I needed to find a job with a salary. I interviewed for an entry-level project manager role with NCR (a global software provider). They were starting to roll-out cash registers that scanned barcodes and I managed large projects working with the sales and operations teams. I then moved into consulting for a large customer, managing their outsourced IT contract. I continued to love process improvement, leading teams and figuring out complex challenges.

I left Deluxe, the check printing company, back in 2012 to lead the technology and operations teams at GEDTS. It was a pivotal time, as we were transitioning from a paper test to a computer test. I feel incredibly fortunate to work with the GED team, with our states, adult educators, partners, and most of all our students—I love my job!

Where did you grow up and what was your family life like?

I grew up in a suburb of St. Paul, MN, as the oldest of four children. I have a sister that’s 18 months younger and two younger brothers. Both of my parents are from families with eight children, so we always had a lot of cousins, aunt and uncles visiting our house. I lived two houses down from my grandma and four houses away from my cousins.

We grew up on a lake so most of our summers were spent swimming, boating and being around our extended family. We were a very active family and enjoyed playing basketball, baseball/softball, golf or just being outside. My siblings and I were gifted with being quite tall and used it to our advantage when competing in sports.

Who have been your strongest influences in life?

My family is my main influence. They make sure I stay focused on what’s truly important. They are always there for me—when times are good and when times are tough. I have also had many influential leaders who have taught me strong life lessons on always making the right decisions even when they are tough. I am surrounded by influential members of the GED team as well. Every day I see passionate, driven, kind individuals who are truly focused on our learners and how to put them on the path of fulfilling dreams and aspirations.

What is a typical day like for you?

I am usually up by 5 am and start my day with a walk or a workout. After that I make lunches, start laundry, clean the kitchen and fire up my laptop. My work day is filled with a number of activities including meetings with the GED team, states, publishers and internal partners. I then commute home and attend my children’s soccer, volleyball, or basketball practices. The rest of my evening is filled with family time including dinner and homework and I start preparing for the next day before going to sleep.

What are some of your day-to-day activities as President?

I meet with the leadership team, conduct 1:1 meetings, and plan for the days and weeks ahead. The meeting topics include conferences, presentations, travel, budgets, priorities, 2020 planning and much more. I am very focused on how we can continually improve, grow and advance. Every day is different, challenging, exciting and fun!

What is your vision for the organization moving forward?

I want every employer to see the value in investing in their employee’s education. I want every adult who has had challenging circumstances to look at the GED as a pathway of changing directions to a brighter future. I want students to feel empowered to learn, grow and advance to earning their GED. My goal is to offer hope, and a future through education to those that may not feel that is possible.

What do you like to do for fun?

I love going on walks, bike rides, golfing, going out with friends, and most of all I love hanging out with my kids! We love to play basketball and golf. We also enjoy swimming, working out, and taking road trips. I appreciate any time I can be near the ocean with my kids and husband. We love just being together.

What are some organizations you belong to or activities you do outside of work?

I coach my daughter’s seventh grade basketball team and I have coached her team since she was in kindergarten. I love coaching and wish I had more time to do it. I coached my son’s basketball team and my older daughter’s volleyball team. I am also part of the Junior Achievement advisory board and the Creating IT Futures board.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Empathy. I know that I can’t always know what’s happening in someone’s life, but I know that everyone has something they are fighting against, working through or dealing with. Our work is only a portion of who we are and what we do, and it’s so important that we keep our work in perspective.

What are you most proud of accomplishing?

Being a mom of three children doesn’t compare to anything else I have accomplished. Each child is so different, yet so incredible in their own way. I learn so much from them, and they teach me more than I will ever teach them. It’s my greatest joy watching them grow, I only wish I could slow down time.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

I love and highly recommend the current book I am reading, ‘Awakening Joy’ by James Baraz. The book focuses on many effective ways to have more happiness, love and inner peace—including how to change your mindset and thoughts about even the most challenging situations.

What is your favorite type of music?

I love country, 70’s and 80’s, and relaxing music.

If you could only eat one thing everyday what would it be?

If I could eat one thing, it would be chocolate.

“Student Authorized View” users in GEDPrep Connect jurisdictions, now have the ability to opt into receiving emails.

When you log in you will see a new “Admin” menu option where you can get to the page that lists the Prep Centers you are associated with, and from there you can opt into receiving emails for those locations.

Here is what the page looks likes for “Student Authorized View” users:

The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is excited to partner with the GED Testing Service at the 2019 Families Learning Conference Nov. 4-6 in Louisville, Kentucky.Packed with innovative thought leaders and some of the nation’s leading educational experts, this year’s conference promises to include many high points, among them a celebration of NCFL’s 30th anniversary of working to empower families across the country.

The 2019 Families Learning Conference will include approximately 100 different concurrent sessions taking place over the course of three days. Variety won’t be in short supply, as sessions will be offered in seven different content strands including Adult Education. GED Testing Service will present two sessions during the event.

On Monday, GED Testing Service’s Debi Faucette and Thomas Ross will present ‘Finding GED: Navigating the Search for Adult Literacy Services.’ In this session, attendees will learn tools and resources they can use to both locate and engage their learners in adult literacy services.

On Tuesday, Faucette will return to lead a facilitated discussion on the GED program itself. Attendees will review what they already know about the GED program and be able to ask questions in order to learn things they want to know about the GED. Both sessions will run for 75 minutes.

Those looking to interact with GED at the Families Learning Conference one-on-one will have that opportunity as well. All are invited to stop by the GED photo booth to take fun and memorable photos. The booth will be located in the Marriott Ballroom Foyer all day Tuesday and Wednesday. Attendees can stop by to get their photo taken and learn more about what GED Testing Service can do for their literacy program.

Finally, GED Testing Service President Vicki Greene will introduce an NCFL family learning student speaker on Wednesday at the Closing Brunch, the student will share their learning journey from high school dropout to GED grad.

The brunch will also include a keynote presentation from Marcus Shingles, former CEO of XPRIZE and an innovative thought leader and social impact-minded executive.

For many years, NCFL and GED Testing Service have served as strong partners in the adult literacy space. GED Testing Service continues to work toward the betterment of adult and family literacy through its sponsorship of the 2019 Families Learning Conference. This fall, hone your skills at serving the families in your community and join these two national organizations for three days of idea-sharing, inspiration, and fun. Both three-day rates and daily rates for the 2019 Families Learning Conference are available now. You can register for the event and learn more about the conference lineup here.

Brian Hancock is the Digital Communications Manager for the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL). He coordinates digital storytelling efforts to support NCFL’s mission of eradicating poverty through education solutions for families. Over the past 30 years, NCFL programming has empowered more than 4.5 million parents and children across the country.