Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Call
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Lisa D. Call, GCDFI, CSCDA, CCSP
Regional Career Specialist & Senior Director, Education and Business Engagement
(803) 732-5258
lcall@mebasc.com
Lisa Call has been with MEBA since 1999. She is one of 12 Regional Career Specialists in S.C. as well as serving as the Senior Director of Education and Business Engagement with MEBA. In these roles, Lisa develops, coordinates and evaluates career awareness programs for elementary, middle and high school students, parents and educators. She also works to connect businesses and schools by developing extended learning opportunities, internships, co-ops and job shadowing opportunities for teachers and students. as well as developing resources for the Midlands area.
Lisa brings six years of teaching experience in Marketing Education at Vidalia Comprehensive High School. She was awarded their teacher of the year 1999. She was also named Regional Career Specialist of the year 2016.
Lisa is a graduate of Marshall University, College of Education, having earned a B.A. in Marketing Education 9-12. Her industry certificates include Global Career Development Facilitator/Instructor(GCDF & GCDFI), School Career Development Advisor (SCDA), Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) as well as a certified “Bridges Out of Poverty” lifetime trainer and master trainer in “Employability Skills” with Microburst Learning.
Lisa is a graduate of Leadership Lexington County and serves on several local and state boards, including South Carolina HOSA and the South Carolina Transportation Education Business Alliance.
Lisa loves her role with MEBA as there are no two days the same. She enjoys meeting new people, helping make college and career connections and working to educate citizens of the Midlands about the many opportunities for meaningful employment.
Samantha Turner also works with MEBA as the Director of Donor Relations. They are a true team of caring professionals working to “Make Career Connections.” (other MEBA part-time-staff include Kyland Gadson, Social Media Coordinator and Kimberly Carmichael, Data Specialist)
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest challenge we face today is working to educate parents, students and teachers about the variety of career options available and that the workforce of today and tomorrow is ever changing. Our workforce today needs people with technical skills and knowledge as well as the “soft skills” (initiative, communication skills, honesty, integrity, teamwork, critical thinking, showing up on time ) and understanding of how to work with a variety of individuals (multiple generations) that may have different backgrounds and opinions than you do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
ABOUT MEBA
MIDLANDS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS ALLIANCE (non-profit community organization)
Mission
To connect students of all ages, parents, and educators to career opportunities through business partnerships, training and resources.
Vision
At MEBA, we envision a community where people are inspired to seek the learning and experience needed to create their desired livelihood. It is this vision that drives us to clearly understand our role and position in the community.
History
MEBA connects education, communities, and businesses systems in Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties in South Carolina. Founded in 1990 as part of the statewide Tech Prep initiative, MEBA was one of the original sixteen Tech Prep consortia in South Carolina. Over time, MEBA has evolved into a non-profit organization serving the Midlands of South Carolina as a “best practices” model.
Goals
• To connect students, parents, educators and employers to education and career opportunities in the Midlands through programs and partnerships of business, school, college, faith, and other community leaders.
• To create community collaboration between business and education to enhance the quality of life in the Midlands and to promote economic development by encouraging all young people to make a successful transition to adulthood by acquiring the education and skills needed to pursue their desired career goal.
The Need
• Many students will graduate from high school unaware and disconnected from the excellent education and career opportunities in the new economy.
• 85% of today’s jobs require postsecondary education. (certifications, diplomas and degrees)
• Midlands employers cannot find adequate or sufficient qualified candidates to fill current jobs forcing many to recruit from out of state and hindering economic development opportunities for the Midlands.
The Solution
MEBA addresses these needs by collaborating with businesses, educational systems and communities to promote high academic standards and successful learning experiences that increase career awareness and prepare learners for life and work. The primary focus is to build connections in the community that will expose students and parents to a broad variety of careers and inform them of the requirements for pursuing those career options, thusly, ensuring children are prepared for productive lives, creating an environment for more economic development opportunities, and increasing the quality of life in the Midlands. MEBA recognizes the importance of grooming tomorrow’s workforce today.
The MEBA Board is composed of college presidents and deans, district superintendents, and business leaders. The work is carried out by a full-time professional staff who provide career-planning services to 8 colleges and universities, 8 school districts and the Department of Juvenile Justice, 185 schools, and over 117,000 secondary students and coordinate the activities of over 350 volunteers from business, community and education. Business partners work closely with education to increase awareness of career opportunities in the Midlands’ economy and to direct students to the education they need to prepare for these jobs. MEBA is proud to be a model for building partnerships between education and businesses to create pathways for students to be college, career and citizenship ready.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I am truly blessed to be in the role I am in with MEBA. When I started in 1999, we were on a 3 year grant. We have been able to work into a 501c3 non-profit organization and have been one for more than 20 years. That is due to our fantastic board of directors and their guidance, leadership and support. They understand the value of what we bring to the Midlands and are true working board. They support MEBA by allowing the staff to tailor initiatives to specific school districts, business and community organizations as well as bring those entities together to network and share ideas and “best practices” and provide activities and programs for Midlands students and educators as a whole.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mebasc.com
- Instagram: @mebasc
- Facebook: @mebasc
- Twitter: @mebasc
