Anne Arundel Community College students looking for clarity in their academic and career choices now have someone new to look to for help. Bonnie Garrett of Severna Park was recently named director of the AACC Office of Counseling, Advising and Retention Services (CARS).

Serving as acting director since July 2005, Garrett was selected to fill the position in December. She will oversee direction of all CARS offices at the AACC Arnold campus, AACC at Arundel Mills, the Fort Meade Army Education Center and AACC at the Glen Burnie Town Center.

A 17-year veteran of AACC, Garrett worked in numerous areas at the college, most recently as program manager for retention services. She began her career at AACC as an educational services assistant in testing and tutoring.

"I would like nothing better than to see CARS help AACC students achieve their maximum potential in academic, career, social and personal development," Garrett said, adding her mission at CARS will be to develop positive goals and interactions between AACC students and the academic community. The only way to ensure total success, she said, is to have total commitment from faculty, staff and students.

"Students will become more proficient in learning how to navigate in the world of higher education, to have increased access to services, and to graduate with the skills necessary to be independent thinkers and learners," Garrett said. "With that in mind, my office will continue to use a developmental model of advising with a renewed focus on teaching students the process by which to design their own educational plans and ultimately help them become self-directed learners."

Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Maryland College Park and a master’s degree in management from the University of Maryland University College.

Counseling, Advising and Retention Services offers academic and transfer planning, job search services, career counseling, services to students with disabilities and retention activities to a diverse student population. For information, call 410-777-2307.

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