Chamber Establishes the Mike Hauser Algebra Academy

To honor the memory of Chamber President, Mike Hauser, who passed away Tuesday, March 3rd, the Chamber has established the Mike Hauser Algebra Academy benefitting English Language Learners.

Formed through a true partnership between businesses and education, the first Academy included 30 English language learners from the Santa Rosa, Piner-Olivet and Roseland School Districts, attending algebra classes and experiencing real-life work situations on the campuses of JDS Uniphase, Medtronic Cardiovascular and Agilent. The intention of the program is to improve algebra skills for students entering the 9th grade, thereby enhancing their opportunities to graduate from high school. The program will be expanded to include two Academies in the summer of 2009, adding PG&E as the program's newest business participant.

In the future, the Chamber intends to continue to expand the number of its Academies, as well as to craft the program in a manner that will allow it to be duplicated by other Chambers and organizations throughout Sonoma County, the State of California, and perhaps even beyond. This program was a true passion of Mike's, not just because it is intended to produce a better educated local workforce, but because, (in his words) "it's simply the right thing for businesses and education to do together."

Donations can be made to the Mike Hauser Algebra Academy benefitting English Language Learners, with checks payable to New Vision Santa Rosa Foundation, c/o Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, 637 First Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Mike was a leader in establishing the Chamber's first Algebra Academy program, conducted in the summer of 2008.

For additional information, please contact Kelly Bass at 707.545.1414 x16 or kellyb@santarosachamber.com.