Program Divisions

Adult Basic and Secondary Education (ABSE)

This division represents those involved with adult basic education and GED instruction. It seeks to respond to the needs of membership through professional development, networking opportunities, and other forms of communication. Curriculum, instructional methods, instructional media, and distance education are among the focal points of this group.
Division Director: Bootsie Barbour, (814) 878-2008

Continuing Higher Education (CHE)

This division represents both public and private, two- and four-year colleges, universities, and technical schools that serve students through a variety of undergraduate, graduate, technical, professional development and enrichment programs. This division provides academic, instructional, and administrative service professionals the opportunity to network; exchange ideas and information; strengthen and improve the quality of programs and services; and participate in professional development activities. The CHE Division is affiliated with the Continuing Education Association of Pennsylvania (CEA/PA). For more information on CEA/PA, go to www.ceapa.org.
Division Director: Mary Anne Varacalli

Literacy/Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth (TLC)

Established in 1981 as a special interest division of PAACE, Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth (TLC) is the statewide organization of adult literacy providers. The members share a common mission--that of providing one-on-one or small-group literacy instruction to adults in our state through a network of trained volunteer tutors. TLC supports this mission by providing meetings, conferences, networking, and training throughout the state.
Division Director: Kim Rossman, (814) 867-0203

English as a Second Language (ESL)

The primary focus of this division is to act as an advocate for ESL instruction within the larger context of adult education. In addition to presentations at the Midwinter Conference, staff development activities are offered throughout the year. The ESL section offers networking opportunities for members and acts as a resource for all new practitioners entering the field.
Division Co-Director: Susan Adams, (215)400-2100 ext. 2218
Division Co-Director: Martin Senger, (814)451-5610
Division Co-Director: Cathie Whitmire, (814) 455-0212 ext. 330

Workforce Development

The mission of this division is to encourage the continuous improvement of adult education related to the needs of the Pennsylvania workforce. The division represents adult educators engaged in the preparation, delivery and evaluation of workplace continuing and basic skills education. The division focuses on providing these workforce development professionals with opportunities to share best practices in the adult education community to meet the globally competitive needs of the Pennsylvania workforce.
Division Director:

Family Literacy

The mission of the Family Literacy Division is to provide a unified voice for Family Literacy practitioners across the state. Division activities include networking, advocacy, and professional development opportunities, which focus on breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy through Intergenerational means.
Division Co-Director: Lori McMonigal, (717) 248-4942 ext. 112
Division Co-Director: Julie Shumaker, (570) 523-1155 ext. 2416

Corrections Education

This division seeks to provide support, advocacy and a resource for the unique professional development needs of those adult educators working within a corrections environment. It also seeks to create and maintain a more comprehensive identification with the adult education community at large, and, in the process, generate an accessible avenue for the cultivation and interchange of ideas and methods.
Division Director: Randy Bacon, (412) 350-2249

See full list of PAACE board members, including program division directors on the Board Members page.