MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave Community College and The GEO Group have partnered to provide accredited college-level culinary arts courses at the GEO Kingman facility.
The partnership has been in the works since 2016 when both entities met to propose a college-level certification. Lisa Black, GEO Group Education Manager and MCC President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein finalized the contract a few months ago.
“Having MCC and The GEO Group in this partnership will help reduce the recidivism rate, which will make our communities stronger and safer,” Dr. Klippenstein said.
Recently students from The GEO Group took part in their first culinary arts class accredited by MCC which was taught by Chef Dobry Cieszko.
Chef Cieszko has spent more than 20 years in the culinary industry. He is a show-chef out of Las Vegas who specialized in French and Italian cooking.
The culinary courses are taught at two levels: Baking and Pastry and Hospitality and Management. Students receive a ServSafe certification along with health and nutrition skills, culinary law, catering skills and learn American and international cuisine.
“Our course has had a solid reputation since its inception in 2010; now the level of interest has heightened with the college accreditation as our waiting list is more than two years out,” the GEO Group press release said.
Mohave Community College President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein and Lisa Black, The GEO Group Education Manager.