City Council member Darden Rice to talk about the value of her Eckerd College liberal arts degree at open house

Rice is a graduate of Eckerd’s Program for Experienced Learners, which is holding the event

St. Petersburg City Council member Darden Rice, who says her bachelor’s degree through Eckerd College’s Program for Experienced Learners has made a major impact on her career, will talk about her experiences at a May 21 open house for prospective students at Eckerd’s campus.

Rice graduated with distinction from the Program for Experienced Learners (PEL) in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in American Studies.  She will talk about how the program changed her life and how a quality liberal arts education can help professionals no matter what field they are in or want to go into.

“My career took off after I graduated from Eckerd,” said Rice, who took a position as National Conservation Organizer with the Sierra Club in 2001.  “PEL puts you through your paces in writing and critical thinking, and improving those skills was vital to advancing my career.”

Rice was elected to the St. Petersburg City Council in 2013, representing District 4. She has deep ties to the community through years of involvement with organizations such as the St. Petersburg Museum of History, St. Pete Preservation, NAACP and the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area.

Rice’s talk will be from noon to 1 p.m. in the Eckerd College President’s Dining Room. Her presentation is part of an open house for prospective students set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PEL’s offices, located in the Franklin Templeton building on Eckerd’s main campus in south St. Petersburg. The event is free and open to the public.  Rice will be available after the presentation for media interviews. 

Admissions counselors and PEL faculty will be on hand to discuss the program and to answer questions. If prospective students can’t attend but are interested in the program, they can call or e-mail an admissions counselor for information.

About the Program for Experienced Learners: PEL is a bachelor’s degree completion program designed for adults. By offering in-person classes on nights and weekends, the program will accommodate individual schedules. Ideal candidates for admission have completed a year of transferable college coursework and/or have training or work experience that can qualify for experiential credit. 

PEL offers an honors program, opportunities to study abroad and membership to Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Classes are held at Eckerd’s main campus in St. Petersburg and in a facility in Tampa’s Westshore district.