By WENDY HARRISON

FRANKLIN

In its continued efforts to ensure student success, Paul D. Camp Community College has developed a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP,) titled, “15 to Finish.” 

Implementation of the plan began at the beginning of the fall 2018 semester and is focused on graduating students on time. On time graduation refers to a specified amount of time that a student would finish the degree or certificate they are pursuing if enrolled full time. For an associate’s degree, full time would be two years, a certificate would require one year, and career studies certificates would take one or two semesters to complete.

“The students for which this plan is targeted are degree, certificate or career studies certificate-seeking individuals who are entering college for the first time, or continuing their studies from the dual enrollment program,” said Vice President for Academic and Student Development Dr. Tara Atkins-Brady.  “Research supports our belief that helping students enroll in and complete 15 credit hours per semester or 30 credit hours in an academic year, will better enable them to meet their academic and career goals. It will also save students time and money.”

According to PDCCC President Dr. Dan Lufkin, resources have been secured to cover the initiative over the next five years.

“This will include funding for marketing, professional development and technology that will allow us to increase efficiency in academic planning and course scheduling.” said Lufkin. “We will have assessment plans in place to evaluate our progress and outcomes during the five-year period.”

In support of the initiative, additional sessions for new students were held at all three PDCCC locations at PDCCC prior to the fall semester to assist with registration, financial aid and academic planning. Information Tours have also been held to prepare students for the 2019 spring semester.

The following are just some of the accomplishments PDCCC also celebrated in 2018:

• The first official game of the Hurricanes baseball team, the formation of the Lady Hurricanes softball team, and subsequently, the renovation of the softball field on Armory Drive.

• A number of generous donations, such as from Birdsong Trust, enabling us to launch the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) and Certified EKG Technician (CET) programs; and Hampton Roads Workforce Council for the launch of the Out-of-School Youth program. We also received foundation awards from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Camp Foundation, and Franklin Southampton Charities.

• A number of alums, including Michelle McDaniel, the first woman graduate of our truck driver training program, and Rick McClenny, who quickly advanced into an administrator position and was from our first nursing class.

• A number of students like Alyssa Felgentreu who presented at the state microbiology conference, Charlotte McKeller who opened her own painting studio at home; Seth Konkel, a Valley Proteins scholar; Lilly Balderson, who made an impact during a NASA summer opportunity; the graduates of our first class of Fast Track Healthcare; and the inductees of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

• A number of faculty such as Elaine Beale for penning a math textbook for the pharmacy technician program; Bill Camp for receiving a scholarship to research the allure of Frankenstein in film, Nancy Warren for receiving an  Excellence in Education Award; and Steven Street, who organized hurricane relief efforts.

• In addition, a newly formed Foodbank Committee is continually helping our students who are experiencing food insecurities, enabling them to focus more on their studies.

• The college saw a 6.3-percent increase in regular FTE enrollment in fall 2018 compared to fall 2017.

“We look forward to making even more of a difference in the lives of our students, and supporting the growth of our business and community partners in 2019,” said Lufkin. “All of our efforts support our vision to be the first choice for postsecondary education, workforce development and community partnerships.

“We will remain committed to preparing our students for their future by offering relevant programs and providing the skills they need to succeed in their educational and career goals.”

Wendy Harrison is the public relations specialist for Paul D. Camp Community College. She can be reached at wharrison@pdc.edu.