By Holly Desrosier
Craven Community College (Craven CC) will host a Summer Open House Tuesday, July 16 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Student Center on the New Bern campus. The open house will have information relevant to all types of students, ranging from those embarking on a college journey to those looking to take the next step in their career.
This event will give students the chance to tour classrooms, get a feel for the campus and meet face-to-face with instructors from Craven CC’s career programs, health programs and workforce development departments. Interactive booths will demonstrate the college’s many opportunities and provide a better understanding of what each program entails. Students can explore course offerings for the fall 2019 and spring 2020 semesters, with classes available on both campuses and online.
“Craven Community College’s mission is based on the premise of ‘many voices, one vision,’” said Sarah Sawyer, executive director of Career Programs. “We are fully committed to improving and enriching the lives of our students and contributing to a thriving community in Craven County. The college’s students, faculty and staff members are all diverse and have many voices, but they share a singular vision: to learn, grow, succeed and support the greater Craven County area.”
Academic, admissions and financial aid advisors will be on hand to personally assist students with navigating the application and financial aid processes for the upcoming semesters. They will also show students how to apply for various scholarships and answer questions.
Campus Life will be at the event to let students know how they can enjoy their college experience beyond classrooms, textbooks and computer screens. Student volunteers will explain how to get involved in scholarship programs like the Student Government Association and Hurst Student Ambassador Program, as well as the college’s many clubs, organizations and events.
Additionally, the Career and College Promise (CCP) program will host an information session from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Naumann Community Room located inside the Student Center. CCP enables qualified high school students to get a jumpstart on college by taking courses free of charge while still attending high school. The information session will address admission requirements and scholarship opportunities for textbooks and supplies, as well as a Q&A session.
Many people view the community college as a precursor to a four-year degree from a university and feel they won’t obtain a viable job without a four-year degree or higher. However, Craven CC’s numerous degree and certification programs prepare students for the workforce and can offer many advantages over universities due to hands-on training, smaller class sizes and lower cost.
“One of the many things that I love about Craven is the opportunity for students to receive stackable credentials: a certificate, diploma or associate degree in a multitude of career, health, liberal arts and workforce development focal points,” said Sawyer. “Many of these programs directly connect to enriching internships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training and career opportunities for students and graduates.”
For anyone interested in boosting or beginning a career, the college’s Workforce Development department will have tools of the construction trades on site to show prospective students the extensive opportunities for career training, enrichment or job changes. The Craven CC barbering program will also provide free haircuts.
The Career Programs department will have information on various programs such as computer-aided drafting (CAD), cosmetology, information technology, automotive, welding, machining and early childhood education. Props and demonstrations will be set up for many of them, including a handheld 3-D scanner and printer to show students about the CAD program.
“In Career Programs, our mission is for students to think ‘hire,’” said Sawyer. “Local and regional employers appreciate the quality of our students and graduates due to the educational skills they learn in alignment with valuable soft skills that elevate work environment performance and adaptability.”
In addition to state-of-the-art training and degree programs, Craven CC offers students the option to transfer to numerous universities across the state. Upon successful completion of an associate in the arts or science degree program, students are guaranteed admission into several independent colleges across North Carolina. Moreover, Craven CC has several university partnerships that offer students a way to earn a bachelor’s degree without leaving Craven County.
The Summer Open House will provide information about the college’s university transfer programs through NC State, NC Wesleyan and ECU. Several programs will be on display, including flight and maintenance, nursing, physical therapy, construction, information technology, basic law enforcement, firefighting and emergency medical services.
“As a former student, I chose Craven, and I had the option to choose a university,” said Sawyer. “The individual attention and support that students receive at Craven Community College is unmatched. Students have opportunities to receive one-on-one interaction and support from faculty, staff members, tutors and other valuable resources that they may not be exposed to at other institutions.”
If visitors are still undecided on which educational journey to begin, the Summer Open House provides a perfect opportunity to explore the campus and learn about all the options that await. No matter what a student’s future holds, Craven CC is proud to serve as the foundation to higher education.
“Students are never treated as a number—they are treated as our first priority,” Sawyer concluded. “At its heart, Craven Community College is founded upon proactive student advocacy and the desire to provide the tools to help students succeed.”
For questions or more information, call Zomar Peter, dean of student services, at 252-638-4597.
This article was originally published in the New Bern Sun Journal on July 10, 2019.