A look forward

Published: 07/31/2018

As we transition from the hot summer days and get ready for the back-to-school craze, we caught up with Dr. Barbara Kavalier, SCC president, to learn what’s new for the upcoming academic year.

She talked about helping students to be successful and the college’s role in developing a strong, capable workforce, which is important for economic growth.

“Any time we are able to come together with workforce partners to help strengthen the community, it’s an exciting thing,” Dr. Kavalier said. “We work hard to meet the business and industry needs with each project we take on, and each new venture is just another opportunity for our community.”

This fall the college will launch an agriculture program, which will help fill a gap in an area of the state that lacks educational opportunities in the industry.

“We were honored to be selected for a grant that will help us get the program up and running,” Dr. Kavalier said.

SCC was awarded the $222,269 grant from the National Science Foundation that will support the development and implementation of this new agriculture program. The funding extends from Sept. 1, 2018, to Aug. 31, 2021.

The college also recently established a supply chain, logistics and manufacturing offering in spring 2017, which is designed to equip students with the tools they need for the modern manufacturing environment. This came at the same time as the college began expanding its healthcare programs at the Center for Healthy Living, including the CNA Apprenticeship program and the Medical Assisting program, which were added to allow students to find a path to a career and help meet the needs of the growing healthcare industry.

“I look forward to seeing the impact these programs will have on our students as well as our industry partners and community members,” Dr. Kavalier said.

Fall enrollment is now open and classes start Aug. 18. Dr. Kavalier said enrollment for summer showed a small percent increase, and although it is still too early to tell, fall enrollment is trending better than anticipated.

“It is our hope that enrollment will begin to turn around, and that we exceed our projections. Students and parents recognize that SCC is an affordable option and that we have extraordinary faculty and staff who are committed to helping them become successful,” Dr. Kavalier said.