On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, Chattanooga State Community College will host two presentations by educational activist and innovator Fluke Fluker. Fluker will lead two separate discussions that spotlight relevant education topics: the first presentation, entitled “The Impact of Poverty on the Urban High School and Community College Student,” begins at 11 a.m., and the second presentation, entitled “Why Learning Communities Make Sense,” begins at 2 p.m. Both events will be held in Room C30 in the Center for Advanced Technology on the college’s main campus located at 4501 Amnicola Highway. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Fluker was born and raised in a public housing development in Brooklyn, New York. Even though he loved sports, he spent his early adolescence as a street-wise and trouble-seeking boy who was a familiar face to many of the judges in the juvenile justice system. As a defiant teen, he was frequently involved in activities that resulted in arrest; so at the age of 17 years, he chose to enlist in the Marines rather than spend time in jail. Wanting to redirect his life, Fluker excelled in the structure and discipline of the military, and by the age of 19 years, rose to the rank of sergeant. Fluker still holds the distinction of being one of the youngest individuals promoted during peace time to the rank of U.S. Marine Corp sergeant.

After serving 4 years in the Marines, Fluker realized the importance of higher education; so he enrolled in Mira Costa Junior College. He concentrated on improving his academic skills and received an associate of arts degree. His hard work and diligence catapulted him to California State University, Northridge, where he fulfilled his dream of playing college basketball and earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology as well as completing the required credentials for teaching in a secondary environment.

Since graduating from college, Fluker has been involved in public education for more than 25 years not only as a teacher but also as a dedicated role model and insightful program developer. Today, Fluker is a highly-respected and widely-recognized educator who is also heralded for developing interventions that address conflict resolution, cultural awareness, leadership, skills buildings, and academic success. His vast experience and passion for teaching has not only made him a highly sought after mentor teacher and coach but a powerful presenter at national workshops and symposiums.

In 2003, Fluke co-founded The Village Nation, an organization designed to challenge and empower youth. His work with and understanding of young people has been profiled by the Los Angeles Times, FOX news, “The Oprah Show,” and “The Mo’Nique Show.” Additionally, Fluker has participated in a variety of educational events such as forums hosted by Bill Cosby and events hosted by The College Board and the State of California. Fluker will be a featured speaker during a program sponsored by United Nations to commemorate the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

For more information about Fluke Fluker’s presentations at Chattanooga State, contact Carlous Drake by email at carlous.drake@chattanoogastate.edu or by telephone at 423.697.3393 or contact Mary Knaff by email at mary.knaff@chattanoogastate.edu or by telephone at 423.697.3358.

For information about Chattanooga State Community College and its educational programs, call the Chattanooga State information hotline at 423.697.4404 or toll free at 1.866.547.3733. Information is available at on the Chattanooga State website at www.chattanoogastate.edu, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ChattState?ref=ts, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/ChattStateCC.

Chattanooga State Community College is a regionally-accredited educational institution, governed by the policies and guidelines as set forth by the Tennessee Board of Regents College System. The mission of Chattanooga State is to transform the lives of individuals and develop the capacities of the business and industrial communities through technical and postsecondary education. Founded in 1965, the college serves a six-county region in Southeast Tennessee as well as the bordering counties in northern Georgia and Alabama. Maintaining a commitment to access through an open admissions standard, Chattanooga State offers more than 50 educational programs that award the following credentials: associate of arts; associate of science; associate of applied science; technical certificates; institutional certificates; and Tennessee Technology Center diplomas and certificates.