PCC Participates in Christmas Parades
December 12, 2023
More than 20 Pamlico Community College employees and family members represented the college in the Spirit of Christmas Parade on Dec. 9 in Oriental.
The college’s float featured giant gingerbread men, candy canes, lollipops, and candies. Brightly colored tinsel and wrapping paper completed the attractive entry.
Most PCC participants rode aboard the float or on the college’s pickup truck. A few, including Vice President of Student Services Jamie D. Gibbs, Instructor Zac Schnell, and Bookstore Manager Paula Meola, walked the parade route to hand out candy.
Special thanks go to Meola, Laura West, and everyone else who worked on the college’s float. Thanks also to everyone who donated candy for the event.
The college also planned to participate in the Pamlico County Christmas Parade in Bayboro on Dec. 16.
Electrical Tech Class Tries New Goggles
December 4, 2023
Students in Pamlico Community College’s Electrical Systems Technology program recently got to try out some virtual-reality and augmented-reality goggles in class and then were asked for their opinions about their effectiveness as teaching tools.
Yilei Huang, an associate professor in East Carolina University’s Department of Construction Management, brought the devices for class members to try. He then used a five-page survey to collect their thoughts on whether the goggles were helpful for lab exercises.
The students generally agreed the augmented-reality goggles were preferable to the virtual-reality versions, saying the virtual-reality goggles made some of them dizzy and disoriented.
“They’re very immersive, like being in another world,” said PCC Electrical Systems Technology Instructor Larry Monk, who also gave both kinds of goggles a try.
Huang had programmed the augmented-reality goggles to match the setup of an in-class electrical lab at PCC. He and an assistant from ECU recorded all of the class members’ input for use by the university.
It was great for PCC students to get a look at some of the most advanced teaching technology, PCC officials said. The exercise also will help the college continue to build partnerships with ECU and others, they said.
The college’s Electrical Systems Technology program trains students to install and maintain electrical and electronics systems found in homes, businesses, and industrial sites.
Coursework, most of which is hands-on, includes topics such as AC/DC theory, basic wiring practices, programmable logic controllers, industrial motor controls, applications of the National Electric Code, and other subjects.
Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, and there are certificate options available.
Monk, a 2012 graduate of the program, is the lead instructor. For more information about PCC’s Electrical Systems Technology program, contact him at lmonk@pamlicocc.edu or 252-249-1851, ext. 3029.
PCC Medication Aide Course Now Scheduled
November 27, 2023
Pamlico Community College will offer its four-day Medication Aide course for current CNAs on Dec. 6, 7, 13, and 14.
Hours will be 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The cost is $70.55.
The course is designed for current CNAs who are ready to take on more responsibilities at work.
Interested? Contact Lori Giles at 252-249-1851, ext. 3015, or lgiles@pamlicocc.edu.
PCC Hosts Four-Year Colleges on Campus
November 20, 2023
Representatives of nine four-year colleges and universities visited PCC’s Johnson Building on Nov. 2 to meet with prospective transfer students and others.
The annual visit gives PCC students, area high schoolers, and others an opportunity to ask questions and weigh their options for transferring or enrolling at one of North Carolina’s four-year colleges and universities.
“It was an amazing day filled with conversations about careers and training pathways that start here at PCC and continue on to four-year schools throughout the state,” said PCC Counselor/Career Center Director Cristy Lewis Warner, who helped to host the visit. “It is always a day filled with information and exploration. The ability to ask questions large and small to these four-year schools and to get one-on-one answers directly from their staff is a powerful tool of connection.”
The participating institutions were Campbell University, East Carolina University, N.C. State University, N.C. Wesleyan University, Northeastern University-Charlotte, Salem College, UNC Wilmington, Western Carolina University, and Western Governors University.
Representatives set up displays at tables in the Johnson Building. They shared literature and fun giveaway items, answered questions, and gave area students a glimpse at what’s possible.
“To meet these four-year colleges face to face here in our community opens the door of communication for our students to learn more about the multitude of possibilities that exist for their futures,” Warner said. “It was encouraging to see so many middle and high school students explore their future education options, too.”
College Receives More National Recognitions
Pamlico Community College was recently nationally ranked as one of America’s very best community colleges for 2023 by national firm SmartAsset. Additionally, in a national ranking by the national website WalletHub, PCC has also been ranked as a top 10 national leader for 2023 among community colleges throughout the nation in student success.
SmartAsset, a New York-based personal finance technology company, recently analyzed federal data for more than 800 community colleges across America. Based on this analysis, SmartAsset highly ranked Pamlico Community College in its national report titled “Best Community Colleges for 2023”.
Of the 845 colleges SmartAsset analyzed, PCC is ranked at No. 12 on its list of America’s best community colleges for 2023. PCC President Dr. Jim Ross enthusiastically praised the “amazing PCC faculty and staff as the reason for this elite ranking.”
In addition, WalletHub, a personal finance website, recently once again ranked PCC among the top 10 community colleges in America for student educational outcomes.
“PCC faculty and staff serve with their hearts and truly want to make students’ lives better,” said Ross, “and this is seen in the elite ranking as No. 6 among community colleges throughout our nation in student educational outcomes.”
These national rankings, which were based on a review of federal education data and other materials, follow a strong string of national honors and recognitions Pamlico Community College has received in recent years.
Ross said, “These recognitions demonstrate how effective our faculty and staff are at helping students achieve their academic dreams so they can improve their lives and the lives of their families. It is an honor to work with these fantastic professionals.”
According to its report, SmartAsset analyzed data for 845 two-year colleges, ranking them based on their student-to-faculty ratios, retention rates and the cost of tuition and fees. Southeastern Community College in Whiteville took the top spot in Smart Asset’s analysis, and nine of the top 25 are from North Carolina.
“North Carolina’s community college system is the best in America in my opinion,” Ross said. “It is a tremendous asset for our state’s overall economic health, and it is appropriate to see our community colleges across North Carolina recognized for their exceptional work.”
Pamlico Community College has now been ranked five times among SmartAsset’s top 25 community colleges in the past seven years.
Meanwhile, WalletHub has once again ranked PCC in its top 10 community colleges nationally for students’ Educational Outcomes. This is the third time PCC has been ranked in the top 10 in the past four years.
According to the methodology it posted online, WalletHub determined its Educational Outcomes rankings by scoring 668 colleges on these factors: first-year retention rate; graduation rate; transfer-out rate; degree and certificates awarded per 100 full-time-equivalent students; student-faculty ratio; share of full-time faculty; presence of special learning opportunities such as dual enrollment or distance education programs; and credit for life experiences.
Southern Arkansas University Tech took the top spot in students’ Educational Outcomes, according to WalletHub.
In addition to its rankings by SmartAsset and WalletHub, PCC’s string of national recognitions has included a No. 1 ranking by Best Value Schools on its list of Best Community Colleges in North Carolina in 2021 and a designation as North Carolina’s best online community college for 2020 by Affordable Colleges Online (AC Online).
“I thank God for the remarkable blessings He has provided our college so that our caring employees can make lives better in Pamlico County, this wonderful community we proudly serve,” Ross said.
State Funding Secured for New Health Center
October 31, 2023
Persistent efforts of Pamlico Community College President Dr. Jim Ross to aggressively seek funds from the state legislature throughout this past year to begin a nursing program and multiple other in-demand allied health careers have proven remarkably successful. PCC has received a $20 million state appropriation from the General Assembly to build an Allied Health Center in Bayboro. This appropriation, by far the largest in PCC history, will enable the college to add multiple health care programs in high-demand, high-paying career fields, with nursing as its top priority to serve the community for decades to come.
Dr. Ross, who almost continually advocated with legislators for the funding, said the new facility will improve the lives of countless area residents while giving them hope for a brighter future.
“This is a fantastic blessing for the people of our community,” he said. “Our college’s primary focus with this historic funding is making lives better in a monumental way. When completed, this center will be a beacon of hope for the next century for our community. Generations of local residents will benefit by being able to access top-notch training for in-demand jobs in health care.”
Dr. Ross continued, “We thank our great friend Sen. Norman Sanderson for sponsoring the legislation that led to the appropriation being included in the Senate budget. We also thank Rep. Keith Kidwell for his strong support. Most importantly, I thank God for this amazing blessing of a lifetime for our college and community.”
Initial plans call for locating the center on college-owned acreage located beside the Mattocks Center in Bayboro. Dr. Ross said PCC will take its time to achieve excellence with this project and with the many programs that will be created.
“We’re going to take a very thoughtful and visionary approach,” he said. “We want to be imaginative and listen to all opinions on what is needed most. There are so many programs needed it will be a challenging task to narrow it down. We will be conducting additional community needs assessments and discussing options with colleagues at other colleges who have developed similar facilities.”
During Dr. Ross’s presidency, PCC has made adding Allied Health program offerings a key priority. The college has added several short-term health care programs through its Continuing Education division, including Cardiac Monitor Technician, Dialysis Technician, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Physical Therapy Aide, and others.
Additionally, PCC offers curriculum programs in Medical Assisting and Dental Laboratory Technology, as well as emergency medical responder courses.
However, Pamlico is one of only two community colleges in North Carolina without an Associate Degree in Nursing program (Martin Community College in Williamston is the other), which is something Dr. Ross and other college leaders began vigorously to address in 2017.
To that end, the college employed local nurse Karen Standen to begin investigating the feasibility of launching a nursing program at PCC. To ensure the program could function effectively and that its students could complete clinical work, Standen began establishing relationships with the area medical community.
Then came COVID-19. With greatly reduced funding available, the pandemic halted work on a possible nursing program and limited the college’s ability to explore other healthcare curriculum options. When Dr. Ross said goodbye to Standen at that time, he startled her with his optimism by vowing to call her in the foreseeable future and resuming the college’s pursuit of a nursing program until the goal is achieved.
Dr. Ross remained resolute, and this year, with help from area legislators, began pushing for state funding of an Allied Health Center that could house college healthcare programs, including nursing. With the funding secured in the state budget, the president reached out to Standen to restart the effort to bring a nursing program to Pamlico County.
“It was with great pleasure that I called Karen and asked her if she was still interested in nursing and expanded allied health programs,” Dr. Ross said. “Her response to me was, ‘That would be amazing.’”
Standen is now working in a consulting role.
“Karen Standen is extremely intelligent, hard-working, results-oriented, a great researcher, and absolutely driven to achieve the best allied health programs possible for our community’s citizens. She will be working closely with Vice President Michelle Willis and me in researching the possible programs. Our vision is that students can get good-paying jobs in health care within driving distance of Pamlico County and then return in the evenings to this beautiful community to raise their families,” Dr. Ross said.
Dr. Ross also has met in recent weeks with retired Randolph Community College President Dr. Bob Shackleford to get his insights. Randolph built a similar Allied Health Center – now named for Shackleford – recently.
In addition to the possible nursing program, PCC’s new Allied Health Center will have space for other “feeder” programs, such as Radiography, Respiratory Care, and others, Dr. Ross said.
Meanwhile, the college’s current array of short-term Continuing Education health care programs likely will remain headquartered at the Grantsboro campus. The renovation of a 2,000-square-foot space in the Johnson Building for those programs is now in the works, thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. It allows the expansion of numerous existing Continuing Education offerings and the introduction of others.
Dr. Ross said the Bayboro site for the new Allied Health Center is absolutely ideal because it’s centrally located and easily accessible. He also said its location near the current Pamlico County High School – and the future one – is also helpful.
The president said community residents will be kept informed as the project develops, and he added many will be asked to provide their input on the plans.
“We want this facility to be here to profoundly benefit our students, our college, and our community for a century to come,” Dr. Ross said. “It’s a win-win-win.”
College Mourns Sudden Passing of Instructor
October 9, 2023
The college community is mourning the death of Mathematics Instructor Paul Miller, who died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, after suffering a heart attack. He was a retired U.S. Marine and a native of Florida.
In an email to colleagues, Pamlico Community College President Dr. Jim Ross wrote, “He was an extremely dedicated and talented full-time Math instructor who cared deeply about his students. He was highly-respected by his students and his peers. Most importantly, he was a very good and decent human being striving constantly to make a difference in students’ lives. He made a great difference at our college, and he will be missed.”
The president continued, “I had the opportunity to frequently say hello to Paul and ask how things were going. He always lit up and told me with enthusiasm his latest joys in teaching. It was just three weeks ago that he and I talked at length at his request about a serious issue his students were having with one of the publishing companies that resulted in his students not getting books in a timely manner. I was very impressed by the passion that he exhibited during our conversations and the e-mails he copied me on as he led this battle. He was a warrior for our students in taking on this publisher and in the end his efforts brought success for our students. This is just one of a multitude of ways Paul’s students benefitted because of him.”
Ross added, “I called Paul’s wife Jennifer tonight (Saturday) at her request. She displayed amazing caring, love, and poise as we talked. She uplifted my spirit by caring so incredibly much for Paul’s students that this was her purpose for her wish to talk to me. In the midst of her shock and grief, it struck me that her heart was filled with such deep concern for Paul’s students who would expect to be taught on Monday morning. I was so thankful to her for allowing me to talk to her at such an important moment of her life so I could tell her how highly we thought of her husband. I told her I considered him not only an outstanding instructor but also a warrior for his students. I told Mrs. Miller how terribly sorry I am for her loss and asked her to let me know if I could help in any way, even if it was just by listening if she ever needed someone to talk to. She told me she will let us know when funeral services will be held. At that point, we will let you know about this.”
He concluded, “As I end this difficult to write e-mail, may I ask you, if you are so inclined, to join me in praying for Paul, for Mrs. Miller, and for all his loved ones? Faith and prayers for God’s blessings are never more important in my opinion and experience than at a time such as this. May I also respectfully suggest that you go to your own loved ones and give each of them an especially loving hug and tell them how much you appreciate them, how much you love them, and how much you treasure them in your life. We have a limited time in this miracle we call life to do so. None of us know when our lives or our loved ones’ lives will end. We do know, though, that they will end. Please don’t miss the chance to have the most important conversation you will ever have with those you love the most. Please let them know how you truly and deeply feel. May God bless you and all you love now and always.”
Tyndall Sisters Find Their Career Passions
October 9, 2023
Two Grantsboro sisters have already gotten head starts on great hands-on careers as teenagers by taking tuition-free courses through the N.C. Career & College Promise (CCP) program at Pamlico Community College.
Both 18-year-old Haley Tyndall and her 17-year-old sister, Autumn Tyndall, say the CCP courses, which are available to high school juniors and seniors, gave them experience in their chosen occupations while they were still high schoolers at Pamlico Christian Academy.
“They definitely have given us a head start,” said Autumn Tyndall, a PCA senior who is studying Cosmetology at PCC.
Her older-by-20-months sister, Haley, got her start in PCC’s Welding program while still at PCA. Now a high school graduate, she is on track to complete an Associate in Applied Science degree in Welding in 2025. In fact, she has nearly enough credits for an Associate in Arts degree from PCC in 2024!
“The Tyndall sisters illustrate that our Career & College Promise courses are not just for students who plan to go on to a university. They are also for young men and women who want to learn the skills they need to work with their hands and make a good living,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “Both of these young women will be prepared for the workplace as teenagers. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish.”
PCC has enrolled a record number of students in its CCP courses this semester. The program enables high school juniors and seniors to take college-level university transfer and career courses free of charge.
By enrolling and passing CCP courses, students can get a tremendous head start toward completing a four-year degree or starting a career. They also can save thousands of dollars.
The program is open to students at Pamlico County High School, Arapahoe Charter School, Pamlico Christian Academy or a home school.
Haley Tyndall initially planned to become a law enforcement officer, but, at the suggestion of PCC advisors, enrolled in the college’s Welding program instead. She discovered a passion for welding, which she plans to pursue as a career.
“I knew I wanted to do something hands-on,” she said. “I’m glad I took Welding. You can be kinda creative with it.”
Meanwhile, Autumn Tyndall said she chose to enroll in CCP Cosmetology courses after developing an interest in styling hair. Now 17, she is on track to earn both her high school diploma from Pamlico Christian Academy and her Cosmetology diploma from Pamlico Community College in early 2024.
She plans to work in a salon after graduation to build a clientele, then open her own shop.
Haley Tyndall hopes to find work at Cherry Point, and she might eventually open her own small business.
“Both Haley and Autumn are hard workers, so I know they’ll do well with the careers they’ve chosen,” said Derek Godwin, who oversees the college’s CCP program. “Whether students want to pursue a university degree or get started on a career, we can help.”
Ross added, “I’ve often said CCP courses are the best value I’ve encountered during my career in higher education. I urge high school students and their parents to explore the opportunities available right here in Pamlico County.”
For more information about CCP courses, please contact Derek Godwin at 252-249-1851, ext. 3106, or dgodwin@pamlicocc.edu.
October Will Feature New Slate of Courses
September 29, 2023
Pamlico Community College plans to launch a fresh slate of short-term courses in October that can help men and women enhance their job skills, explore new careers and enter the local workforce.
These courses are open to adult learners. Financial aid is available for qualified students.
“As a college, we have made a commitment to growing our lineup of short-term training programs for men and women who are interested in high-demand career fields or who want to become more valuable in their current jobs,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “One of the greatest features of these Continuing Education courses is that they start at different times throughout the year, which means our college always has something new to offer students. These programs vary from hands-on courses to others than can be completed online.”
October’s schedule will include:
* Grant Writing, which will be offered in a Zoom-based format. It will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from Oct. 3 to Nov. 9. Hours will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $70.
* Smartphones and Tablets: iPhones, a course designed to help men and women operate their Apple devices. It’s scheduled to begin Oct. 6 and run through Nov. 10. It will meet Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m.
* Dialysis Technician, an evening course starting Oct. 9. It will meet from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Feb. 26, 2024. Cost is $180.
* Effective Teacher Training, a 30-hour online course that’s scheduled to start Oct. 16. Cost is $125.
* Medication Aide, a four-day course scheduled to start Oct. 19. Cost is $70.
* Forklift Training, a one-day training set for Oct. 21. Participants also will learn to use a power pallet jack. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $70.
* ServSafe, a one-day training set for Oct. 23. It will meet from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost is $70.
* Community Health Worker, a hybrid course scheduled to start Oct. 24. It will run through Dec. 14. Cost is $180.
* Notary, a one-day class scheduled for Oct. 28 in Bayboro. It will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $70, plus a book.
For more information about these programs or to register, visit the Continuing Education webpage at https://www.pamlicocc.edu/programs-continuing.php, contact the college at 252-249-1851, ext. 3015, or email lgiles@pamlicocc.edu.
Grant Writing Course Features Zoom Format
September 18, 2023
Pamlico Community College can train men and women to secure the funding their organizations need to make a difference in the community. The college has scheduled a virtual Grant Writing course for this fall. It will be offered in a Zoom-based format and will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from Oct. 3 to Nov. 9.
Cost is $70. The instructor will be professional grant writer Monica Minus.
“Securing funding from public and private sources is critical for non-profits and other community organizations,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross.
“This course is designed to equip students with the skills they need to create successful grant applications. It will be a great course for anyone who is interested in accessing funding for great community causes.” In years past, the Grant Writing course has been offered Saturdays. This semester, college officials are experimenting with scheduling classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to see if those hours better meet the needs of participants.
“We talked about developing a schedule that doesn’t take up all of the participants’ Saturdays,” said Lori Giles, the college’s chair of Continuing Education and technical programs.
“This semester’s Grant Writing course will be available during the workweek, which might be a better option for working adults. We are eager to receive input on this decision.”
The course will include information on finding funding sources, writing narratives and developing budgets. The course’s Zoom-based online format will save participants on transportation costs, organizers say.
“The non-profit sector is vital to the well-being of any thriving community, and we are honored to offer this course to help organizations succeed,” Ross said. “There is funding out there to help. This course will help your organization secure it.”
For more information or to register for either course, call 252-249-1851, ext. 3015, or email lgiles@pamlicocc.edu.
Continuing Education Plans Busy September
August 29, 2023
While the Fall 2023 registration period for seated and online full-term curriculum courses at Pamlico Community College has passed, there are plenty of other opportunities available this semester to enhance your job skills, explore new careers and enter the workforce.
The college plans to launch a fresh slate of short-term Continuing Education courses in health care, education, diesel mechanics and other workplace skills in September. These courses are open to adult learners. Financial aid is available for qualified students.
“Our college continues to add new vocational programs for our community to train residents for good-paying jobs that are in-demand by regional employers,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross.
“The PCC Continuing Education division is already off to a strong start this semester, and there’s more to come in September and in the months ahead. We have a wonderful lineup of programs scheduled for men and women who are interested in high-demand career fields or who want to become more valuable in their current jobs. The programs vary from hands-on courses to others than can be completed online.”
September’s schedule will include:
* Phlebotomy Technician, a daytime seated class starting Sept. 5. It will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 31, 2024. Cost is $180.
* Community Health Worker, a web-based course scheduled to start Sept. 5. It will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through December. Cost is $180.
* Nurse Aide II, a daytime hybrid course starting Sept. 6. It will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 29. Cost is $180.
* Dental Billing and Coding, which is a two-part, online program starting Sept. 11. Each part costs $180.
* Effective Teacher Training, a 30-hour online course that’s scheduled to start Sept. 11 and end in October. Cost is $125.
* Marine Diesel Engines for Boaters, an evening seated course for boat owners and hobbyists that’s scheduled to start Sept. 11 and end Oct. 19. Classes will meet Mondays and Thursdays. Hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $125.
* Medical Office Procedures, an online course that will begin Sept. 11 and will end Jan. 26, 2024. Cost is $180.
* Starting Your Garden Off Right, an evening seated course that will begin Sept. 11. It will meet Mondays from 5 to 8 p.m. through Oct. 16. Cost is $70.
* Marine Diesel Engines for Job-Seekers, a seated course for men and women interested in a career in marine diesel engines. This course, which has a different focus than the Marine Diesel Engines for Boaters version, is scheduled to start Sept. 12 and end in October. Classes will meet Tuesdays. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Cost is $70.
* Medication Aide, a daytime seated course for current CNAs starting Sept. 14. It will meet from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Sept. 22. Cost is $70.
* Medical Terminology, Billing and Coding, a three-part series of online courses that will begin Sept. 21. Cost is $180 per part.
* Forklift Training, a one-day training set for Sept. 23. Participants also will learn to use a power pallet jack. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $70.
* Notary, a one-day class scheduled for Sept. 30 in Bayboro. It will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $70, plus a book.
More great courses are set for October!
For more information about these programs or to register, visit the Continuing Education webpage at https://www.pamlicocc.edu/programs-continuing.php, contact the college at 252-249-1851, ext. 3015, or email:lgiles@pamlicocc.edu.
President Encourages CCP Enrollment at PCC
August 21, 2023
Dear Pamlico County Parents,
As President of Pamlico Community College, I wish to let you and other parents of high school students know about the greatest value I have found in higher education. As your child is working with you to develop their high school class schedule for the fall, please consider an opportunity for them to take PCC college courses while still attending high school and earn full college credits without paying even one penny in tuition!
This program enables high school juniors and seniors to soon sign up to take our college classes this fall with no tuition charge. It is called the North Carolina Career & College Promise (CCP) program. Through this your child can earn most, or even all, of an associate degree from our college by the time he or she graduates from high school…and never pay a penny in tuition!
This program can give them a huge head start toward completing their bachelor’s degree by transferring the credits earned tuition-free at PCC to the university of their choice to complete the bachelor’s degree. By doing so, they can save your family tens of thousands of dollars that you would have spent for tuition!
Martin Guion, who works in the PCC Computer Services department, had his family save nearly $50,000 in tuition through this program! His three daughters took CCP courses as high school juniors and seniors and earned 45, 35, and 48 credit hours, respectively, and transferred those credits to Liberty University. Tuition for those credits would have cost nearly $50,000 at Liberty, without room and board! The daughters also saved a great deal of time. In fact, the youngest daughter earned her bachelor’s degree from Liberty at age 20.
When Riley Callahan graduated from Pamlico County High School, he took with him 50 hours of college credit to East Carolina University. His 50 hours of college credit equal a year and a half of college coursework. At ECU this would run about $11,000, without including room and board. “Take advantage of these classes,” Riley said. “They’re free and they’ll get you a head start on your future. It’s a great opportunity.”
Our program is open to local qualified students with good grades from Pamlico County High School, Arapahoe Charter School, Pamlico Christian Academy, or a home school program. I strongly encourage high school juniors and seniors to explore taking our CCP courses. These can help our local students get a college education without going deeply in debt and to get ahead fast. Please talk to your children about this.
There is truly no better bargain in higher education that I know of than tuition-free, transferable college credits. As the community college serving this wonderful community, it would give all of us here great satisfaction to know you have saved a great deal of money by taking part in this amazing opportunity.
By taking CCP classes, your child can earn PCC college credits that can be applied to an Associate in Arts degree or an Associate in Science degree that can then transfer to all state public and many private universities. Students can also earn credits in the many vocational and technical career pathways we offer.
Registration for the Fall semester is now open! Please have your child contact his or her high school guidance counselor, or contact CCP Director Derek Godwin at 252-249-1851, extension 3106, or at dgodwin@pamlicocc.edu. Registration will take place August 28 and 29 from 8 am to 3 pm at the college’s Mattocks Center in Bayboro. Please tell your loved ones about these dates!
Pamlico Community College is honored to be ranked this past year as the Number 1 community college in our nation for student success. This national ranking is from WalletHub after analyzing federal data from hundreds of outstanding community colleges across our nation. It is the second time in the past three years PCC was ranked Number 1 in the USA. This humbling honor is because of our amazing faculty and staff.
I thank God for the opportunity to serve as President the past seven years, to work with such caring and dedicated professionals, to serve such a wonderful community, and to achieve success for our students. I ask God to provide us favor as my colleagues and I seek more bold and noble goals to change many more lives.
Please contact me at jross@pamlicocc.edu or call 252-249-1851, ext. 3007, if I can ever help you in any way. Thank you for what you do as a parent, which I believe is the most important job in the world.
I wish your child a successful, safe, and healthy 2023-24 school year!
Take care,
Dr. Jim Ross
President of Pamlico Community College
Cosmetology Welcomes Back a Familiar Face
August 14, 2023
Pamlico Community College’s newest Cosmetology instructor wants to give back to the community by training students to help area residents look and feel their best.
Elethia Williams, a Beaufort County woman who grew up in Pamlico County and graduated in 2001 from Pamlico County High School, started her new job earlier this month.
She will teach the beginner Cosmetology courses while Instructor Debi Fulcher will handle the advanced courses. Williams replaces Instructor Christy Laney, who left the area.
Williams is eager to get started.
“I wanted to give back to the community,” she said. “I also want to instill the love of Cosmetology in students. I love Cosmetology. I love everything about it. I like all things beautiful.”
PCC President Dr. Jim Ross said the college is pleased to have Williams on board in time for the start of the Fall 2023 semester.
“Elethia Williams is a fantastic addition to our college, and we are pleased to have her with us,” he said. “She brings with her plenty of experience as an instructor and a business owner, and I know she will do an outstanding job.”
Williams, whose extended family still lives in the Vandemere area, said she first took an interest in Cosmetology as a middle schooler. She remembers styling her dolls’ hair, and then later being asked frequently by classmates to do their hair and makeup.
“It chose me,” she said with a smile. “I had a talent for it. My favorite thing to do is makeup.”
Williams was active at PCHS. She was a cheerleader, ran track and was a student government leader. After high school, she considered a military career, but then enrolled at PCC to study Cosmetology. She was among the first students to take courses in the then-new Cosmetology building in Bayboro in 2004.
Williams finished her training at Beaufort County Community College. She would go on to teach at both BCCC and as a substitute at PCC.
Williams also opened and operated a salon in Washington, first on a large scale and later in a smaller space downtown. The salon, named Hair Brows Makeup & Things Beauty Salon, sees clients by appointment, but will occasionally take walk-ins, she said.
Williams said a key step in training beginning cosmetologists is to help them get rid of their old habits and amateur ways and instead learn the proper skills and techniques used in the industry. Learning the basics and then honing their skills is a great way to start a rewarding career, she said.
“We teach them the basics,” Williams said. “It’s a learned skill. They can do it, but it takes work.”
On a personal note, Williams is engaged and has three children. She is planning a wedding in 2024, which, of course, will demand the use of her skills in hair and makeup.
In the meantime, Williams is gearing up for the new academic year at Pamlico.
“I’m excited to be back,” she said.
For more information about the college’s Cosmetology and Esthetics programs, including how to enroll, please call 252-249-1851, ext. 3130.
PCC Mourns the Passing of Michelle Noevere
August 11, 2023
Michelle Noevere, executive assistant to Pamlico Community College President Dr. Jim Ross and executive director of the PCC Foundation, died Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.
She grew up in Texas and was a graduate of PCC. Michelle had been named the college’s 2022-23 Staff Member of the Year in May.
In an all-employee email announcing Michelle’s passing to colleagues, Dr. Ross wrote:
Heaven has a new angel in it this morning.
I just received word that our beloved Michelle Noevere has passed away.
May God welcome our treasured colleague and dear friend to Heaven with open, comforting, and loving arms. May Michelle know how very much we all care about her, love her, and already deeply miss her.
Thank you so much to each of you who made her time with our college so joyous for her. She told me so many times how very much she enjoyed every day of working at PCC. What a blessing she was for our college for her amazing professional contributions but also because she was such an amazing, caring human being.
Her work for our college was incredible every single day of her employment. This was the case even as she fought heroically against cancer. She was incredibly positive and uplifting to others even in her most challenging days in fighting cancer.
Those of us who were allowed by God to know her during her life on earth have been made much better people because of being touched by her.
In fact, our lives will always be much better in the future because we have been blessed by knowing Michelle.
In a spirit of sincere appreciation, we thank God for allowing us to know Michelle. We thank Him for allowing our world to have this angel amidst us. She made our college so much better and made our world so much better.
It is now time for Heaven to welcome its newest angel.
May God be with all her family members now and always.
May God be with you— her treasured PCC family members— and your loved ones now and always.
Michelle, we love you now and always,
Jim Ross
Fall Registration Now Underway at Pamlico
August 8, 2023
Registration for the Fall 2023 semester is underway at Pamlico Community College!
Faculty members and Student Services staffers are meeting with new and returning students this week to sign them up for curriculum courses, give them information about financial aid opportunities and provide them with advice and suggestions about their educational options.
However, if you are unable to get to campus this week, you’ll still be able to sign up for curriculum courses in the days ahead so you can get started on your academic journey this semester.
Seated courses will begin Aug. 14. Online classes will start Aug. 30.
Looking ahead, registration for Career & College Promise courses for high school juniors and seniors is scheduled for Aug. 28 and 29 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mattocks Center in Bayboro.
“Registration is a very exciting and optimistic time at Pamlico Community College,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “We want to make the registration process positive and convenient. We know many of our students have other responsibilities and demands on their time. That’s why we try to be flexible with people and treat them with respect and compassion.”
A friendly, supportive atmosphere is what new and returning students can expect to find at the college. WalletHub has ranked Pamlico the No. 1 community college in America for student success, and the college’s faculty and staff are here to help men and women reach their educational goals for Fall 2023 and beyond.
“Pamlico Community College offers a nationally recognized education, but we also offer a welcoming environment for students,” Ross said. “We invite area residents to check out what we have to offer for the Fall 2023 semester and to join us for the new academic year.”
For more information about registration, including financial aid and course selection, email studentservices@pamlicocc.edu, call 252-249-1851, ext. 3001, or visit Student Services in the Johnson Building on campus.
Seniors Eligible for Free Computer Class
July 18, 2023
There’s still time for adults ages 65 and older to enroll in Pamlico Community College’s free Basic Computers for Seniors course. Two sections of the popular course will begin in August.
The course, which is offered at the college’s Grantsboro campus, teaches senior adults the basics of operating a computer, including how to send emails, use the Internet and navigate software programs.
One session will begin Tuesday, Aug. 8, and will run through Dec. 5. It will meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays.
A second session will start for Thursday, Aug. 17, and will run through Jan. 4, 2024. It will meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays.
PCC is able to offer this course to men and women 65 and older at no charge through an ongoing partnership with Agape Love in Action, Inc., which is an organization led by Corliss Udoema.
“We are proud of this course and of our partnership with Agape Love in Action,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “PCC is a place for everyone to learn something new. I encourage senior adults to check out this course.”
PCC Chair of Continuing Education and Technical Programs Lori Giles said the course helps to demystify computers and the Internet for men and women who have not had experience with them.
“It’s exciting to see people who never thought they’d be able to use a computer to do so and to be comfortable with it,” she said. “The classes have a relaxed atmosphere, and participants have a great time.”
Students younger than 65 also can enroll in the course, but must pay the $70 fee.
For more information about the course or to register, please call 252-249-1851, ext. 3015.
PCC Helps Students Secure Financial Aid
June 26, 2023
The time between the end of the previous academic year and the start of the Fall 2023 semester is a great time for new and returning students to make sure they have the financial aid they need to enroll in courses at Pamlico Community College.
In other words, that time is now!
Director of Financial Aid Gretchen Steiger and the college’s Student Services staff are available to help men and women complete the enrollment process before the Registration rush in August.
That process includes helping students find and secure the financial help they need.
“Pamlico Community College is blessed to be able to offer financial aid from a number of sources, including federal funds, state grants and local scholarships,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “Don’t let a lack of financial resources stop you from reaching your educational goals. I would urge anyone who is considering enrolling in college for the upcoming Fall 2023 semester to contact us as soon as possible to see how we can help.”
Financial aid sources include Pell grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity grants, Federal Work-Study programs, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds and state grants. Additionally, the college has several local and institutional scholarships available for students who qualify, thanks to generous donors to the Pamlico Community College Foundation.
To determine your eligibility for many of these options, you will need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The FAFSA is available at www.studentaid.gov.
PCC also is able to certify for VA Education Benefits. Only eligible veterans, dependents or active duty service members who have obtained eligibility with VA (or have received advance approval from their ESO or service if using Tuition Assistance) can utilize VA Education Benefits.
“The college has several financial aid opportunities and resources available to assist students in achieving their educational goals,” Steiger said. “Students can find information about these in the Financial Aid section of the college’s website at www.pamlicocc.edu.”
She continued, “To ensure consideration for scholarships and other awards, students should complete their 2023-24 FAFSA and turn in any other required documents by Aug. 9. Students can reach out to me to set up an appointment for assistance or with any questions about available opportunities at gsteiger@pamlicocc.edu or 252-249-1851, ext. 3026.”
Ross said the college is a great place for men and women to secure the education they need to improve their lives.
“Pamlico Community College is a wonderful place to discover a great career field or to get started on earning a four-year degree,” Ross said. “We are honored to be recognized as the top community college in America for student success, based on U.S. Department of Education data, and our tuition and fees are far lower than public or private universities. Contact the college today to see how we can match you with the resources you need to achieve your goals and dreams!”
Continuing Education Offers Summer Courses
June 12, 2023
Pamlico Community College’s Continuing Education division is staying busy this Summer with a slate of short-term, hands-on training courses designed to help men and women enhance their job prospects, become more valuable in their current posts and develop more self-reliance.
The courses include popular offerings in health care as well as hands-on classes in diesel mechanics and forklift training.
Two new sections of PCC’s popular Basic Computers for Seniors are also on tap.
“Staffers in our Continuing Education division are always looking to meet the needs of area employers and the community,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “They stay flexible, which makes them able to set up short-term training courses quickly to meet emerging trends. I encourage residents to see what we’re offering in the weeks ahead.”
Upcoming courses include:
* Marine Diesel for Boaters and Marine Diesel for Job-Seekers, which are scheduled to begin in July.
Instructor Stanley Feigenbaum of Pamlico County has created one course specifically for boat owners who wish to learn more about maintaining their vessels’ diesel engines. It is scheduled to begin Monday, July 10.
Feigenbaum also has created a separate course for men and women who are interested in maintaining marine diesel engines as a career. That course is scheduled to begin Tuesday, July 11.
* Forklift Training, a one-day class on Saturday, July 15, at the PCC campus in Grantsboro. Learn the basics of safely operating a forklift with this $70 course.
* Notary, a one-day course in Bayboro on Saturday, July 29.
* Basic Computers for Seniors, PCC’s popular free course for adults ages 65 and older. There will be two sections of the course – one will begin Tuesday, Aug. 8, and the other will start Thursday, Aug. 17.
The course, which teach adults the basics of operating a computer, is available through an ongoing collaboration with Agape Love in Action, Inc.
* ServSafe, a one-day training for food service workers, on Monday, Aug. 14. It will meet from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost is $70.
* Medication Aide, a short-term course for current CNAs, starting Aug. 16.
* Electronic Health Records, an online course designed to train individuals to maintain electronic and printed medical records. It’s scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 21. Cost is $180, plus a book.
* Medical Billing and Coding, a three-part online course designed to train entry-level medical billers and coders. The course starts Monday, Aug. 21. Each part costs $180, plus books.
* Nurse Aide I, an evening hybrid course starting Aug. 22.
* Pharmacy Technician, a hybrid course coming Aug. 24. Cost will be $180.
For more information about any of these courses or to register, please contact PCC’s Lori Giles at 252-249-1851, ext. 3015, or lgiles@pamlicocc.edu.
High-Achieving Stowe Wants to Help Others
June 5, 2023
Pamlico Community College graduate Mariah Stowe has the right prescription for success: Find something you want to do and then work as hard as you can to make it happen in short order.
That’s the way the 18-year-old Grantsboro woman has lived her young life, and it’s the right remedy to help her reach her goals of becoming a registered nurse and, eventually, a nurse practitioner.
The soft-spoken teenager, who recently earned her Associate in Arts degree with honors from PCC even before she graduates from Pamlico County High School, is the recipient of the college’s 2023 Academic Excellence Award and has been named PCC’s 2023 Student of the Year.
Stowe’s selection for the college’s top student prizes was announced during PCC’s 2023 Commencement ceremony May 12.
“I was definitely surprised,” she said with a chuckle.
For their part, instructors, friends and others who know Stowe say they weren’t surprised at all. Stowe has been taking on challenges and exceeding expectations for a while, they say.
“Mariah Stowe impresses me as someone who maximizes her time and looks for opportunities to excel,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “She has worked extremely hard in the tuition-free, college-level courses PCC offers high school juniors and seniors through the N.C. Career & College Promise program, and she has been rewarded by becoming one of six Class of 2023 PCHS seniors to receive their associate degrees during the same year they graduate from high school.”
The president continued, “She has the drive and determination she needs to succeed in her next challenge and beyond. All of us at PCC are very proud of Mariah and look forward to seeing what her bright future holds.”
Stowe grew up in Pamlico County and attended the county’s public schools. She has always done well in the classroom, even though high school algebra gave her a little trouble.
While attending Pamlico County High School, Stowe noticed how an older schoolmate, Sarah Henries, was able to take college-level courses from PCC and earn transferable college credits at no charge through the Career & College Promise (CCP) program.
“That was really what pushed me,” she said. “I was driven by her experiences and what I saw could happen, and then I saw myself in that place and how happy I would be.”
Encouraged by PCC Instructor Derek Godwin, who oversees the CCP program, and PCC Vice President of Instructional Services Michelle Willis, Stowe took on multiple college-level courses and thrived. She said her time in PCHS health science courses confirmed her desire to become a nurse, and the free college courses helped her complete prerequisite classes she would need.
Always looking to stay ahead, Stowe and a high school classmate took a Nurse Aide I course through the college’s Continuing Education division. Her experience in that course and its clinical component showed her she was on the right track.
“It’s definitely not for the weak,” she said. “But I was able to see through clinicals how much you can help people. It’s a good way to get out there and do your part.”
It’s important to Stowe that she do her part to help others. She said her younger brother’s experience with caring, compassionate health care providers showed her the difference individuals can make in the lives of a patient and his or her family – and that’s what she wants to do, too.
Godwin praised Stowe for her commitment to her studies and for her determination to succeed.
“Mariah’s remarkable accomplishment of receiving PCC’s Academic Excellence Award serves as a testament to her exceptional intellectual abilities, remarkable drive and unwavering commitment to academic excellence,” he said. “It has truly been an inspiration to watch her journey these past two years as a Career & College Promise student.”
During the May 12 Commencement ceremony, Vice President of Student Services Jamie Gibbs presented Stowe with a plaque and a medallion for her awards. As the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award, she became Pamlico’s 2023 honoree in the N.C. Community College System’s “Great within the 58” list of high-achieving students.
Stowe’s next stop will be Craven Community College in New Bern, where she has enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. Her classes will begin in August.
She has the support and guidance of her family, including her mother, who is a PCC graduate. Stowe also has the knowledge that she has a leg up on her future, thanks in large part to the CCP program.
“Mariah has a big head start on her goals, thanks to the Career & College Promise program,” Ross said. “I often say it’s the best bargain in higher education.”
For more information about how high school juniors and seniors can take college-level courses tuition-free through PCC, please contact Derek Godwin at 252-249-1851, ext. 3106, or dgodwin@pamlicocc.edu.
PCC Seeks to Build Ties with FRC East
May 22, 2023
Leaders from Pamlico Community College, Fleet Readiness Center East and the Pamlico County Schools met May 22 to discuss ways to build partnerships and to create training pathways that lead to good-paying jobs for local students and residents at nearby Cherry Point.
“Our college strongly believes in partnering and making our community better,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross as he welcomed FRC East officials and representatives of the local public schools to the Delamar Center and praised each organization for their contributions to making lives better. “This is an important issue for our college to enter into this partnership with you.”
Ross went on to acknowledge the importance of the exemplary partnerships PCC has with community businesses, organizations, and non-profits and how this has helped the college better serve the community.
“We are thankful for today’s meeting as a very positive step to preparing Pamlico County residents for good local careers at Fleet Readiness Center East,” he said.
Michelle Willis, the college’s vice president of instructional services, said PCC and FRC East formerly had an apprenticeship program for the college’s Electrical Systems Technology students. Reinvigorating that and other learning partnerships would benefit Pamlico County students and residents, she said.
“We look forward to finding out what we can do to help our students and our residents get the training they need to go to Cherry Point and work,” Willis said.
FRC East is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in nearby Havelock. The facility employs about 4,000 people in the critical national security work of repairing and updating military aircraft.
Michelle Smith, STEM and Education Outreach Coordinator for FRC East, said she hoped the meeting would open lines of communication between FRC East, the college and the school system so new and productive partnerships could be explored.
“I’m a former teacher,” she said. “I want successful students.”
Following the initial session, FRC East representatives briefly toured the college’s facilities and heard from PCC officials about the programs and training courses available. The May 22 meeting had been organized after Smith and Willis struck up a conversation at a recent Career Fair at Pamlico County High School in Bayboro.
Graduation Ceremony Honors Class of 2023
May 15, 2023
Goals were accomplished, tassels were turned and new life adventures got underway during Pamlico Community College’s 56th Commencement Exercises Friday, May 12, at the Delamar Center.
The mood at the evening event was joyous, with hundreds of family members, friends and community leaders on hand to salute the graduates for their achievements.
“You did it, didn’t you? You did it!” PCC President Dr. Jim Ross told the graduates, many of whom achieved their educational goals while balancing family demands, work and other commitments. “We’re so proud of you.”
The president and others also congratulated the graduates’ family members and friends and thanked them for their encouragement and support.
Sixty of the 133 men and women who qualified for recognition over the last year in the college’s curriculum and Continuing Education programs took part in the ceremony. Overall, the Class of 2023 earned a combined 184 academic and Continuing Education credentials, including 37 associate degrees, 10 diplomas, 55 certificates and 82 Continuing Education recognitions.
Cecilia A. “Candy” Bohmert, current vice chair of the Pamlico County Board of Commissioners and a member of the college’s Board of Trustees, gave the Commencement address. A 1996 graduate of the college, she encouraged the graduates to remain optimistic and to be open to new learning opportunities.
“When I graduated, I was 40. You’re not done yet,” Bohmert said.
She urged the graduates to keep chasing their dreams, even if it takes a while. Bohmert recounted how she almost didn’t pursue a job with the local Soil and Water Conservation District, but was encouraged to go after it by her husband.
Bohmert got the job, and “for 20 years, I lived my dream,” she said.
“Don’t despise your small beginnings,” Bohmert told the graduates, urging them to remain open to new things, to accept help and to surround themselves with people who want to see them succeed.
With the right education, attitude and people around them, members of the PCC Class of 2023 can do anything, she said.
“Leadership is all about influence,” Bohmert said. “You can change things. Don’t limit yourself by saying you can’t.”
Later in the ceremony, the college honored Mariah Stowe as its Academic Excellence Award recipient and Student of the Year. The 18-year-old Stowe is a senior at Pamlico County High School. She earned an Associate in Arts degree from the college through the N.C. Career & College Promise program and also completed a PCC Nurse Aide I training course, all before she is scheduled to receive her high school diploma.
Stowe was one of six PCHS seniors who were recognized for earning their Associate in Arts degrees the same year they earn their high school diplomas.
PCC Electrical Systems Technology Instructor Larry Monk was honored as the college’s Alumnus of the Year. Monk graduated from the program he now leads. He also was recognized for his work as a foster parent and youth coach.
Following the award presentations, the graduates were called across the stage one-by-one to receive their credentials and to pose for a free photo with Ross.
PCC Instructor Ronald Scott announced the names. When the graduates had received their respective credentials, PCC Vice President of Instruction Michelle Willis-Krauss pronounced them graduated and instructed them to turn their tassels as the audience cheered.
This year’s graduates completed their studies in an academic year when PCC was recognized once again as America’s No. 1 community college for student success by WalletHub. The college has been honored with that title in two of the last three years.
PCC Trustee Ann Holton gave the welcome message at the ceremony, and pianist Paula Murray provided the music.
An outdoor reception with refreshments followed the ceremony. As in years past, a professional photographer was available to take free family portraits for the graduates and their loved ones.
PCC Awards Presented at Celebratory Lunch
May 11, 2023
PCC colleagues gathered in the Delamar Center Tuesday, May 9, to celebrate a year of multiple successes, to honor the college’s top employees for 2022-23 and to enjoy a delicious lunch.
In years past, most college awards for employees were presented at Commencement. In 2020 and 2021 during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the presentations were online.
This year, the presentation of the annual awards was the centerpiece of an all-employee meeting designed for colleagues to look back on the academic year and to enjoy each other’s company.
“Today is going to be a day of celebration,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross shortly before introducing Community Living student Sarah Vieregge, who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” to open the event.
In opening remarks, the president introduced Lee Tillman, who has been hired as the college’s new vice president of financial services, and he led employees in a raucous chant of “We are PCC!” as he spoke about the college’s mission to help men and women improve their lives.
The day’s first award – Instructor of the Year – went to Welding Instructor Joe Flynn. Ross said Flynn is known for his attention to detail, and he added Flynn does an outstanding job preparing students for real world workplaces.
“Our college is so much better because of you,” Ross said.
Flynn, whose wife, Tammy, was on hand for the event, joked the scoring used to select him must be incorrect as he thanked the group for the honor.
The Pamlico Correctional Institution Instructor of the Year Award went to Horticulture Instructor Ed King. He also received the honor in 2017.
“You never expect to get these things, but it’s nice when it comes from people you work with,” King said as he accepted the award.
This year’s Adjunct Instructor of the Year Award went to part-time English Instructor Brent Canle.
Ross officially notified Canle of his selection through an online video chat on Instructor Neil Callahan’s phone during the ceremony. The instructor said he enjoyed working with students.
Custodian Lana Green again was recognized for the President’s Award, which Ross first announced via an online video call from Texas last December.
“I’d like to thank God for this,” she said, adding it was an honor to be considered for the award.
Ross also announced a new award – the President’s Department of the Year Award – would go this year to Computer Services (IT). Like the President’s Award for an individual, the new honor recognizes departments that are positive, professional and productive.
The president confessed he had been worried about the department’s future following the retirement of Scott Frazer, but was exceedingly pleased with how the remaining teammates came together and carried on under the leadership of Martin Guion.
“They are a fantastic model for this college,” Ross said.
Joining Guion in receiving the departmental award were Gregory Davis, Nick Goodwin, Ya Min and Christy Wicks.
This year’s Staff Member of the Year Award went to Michelle Noevere, the president’s executive assistant and executive director of the PCC Foundation. She remains hospitalized in Chapel Hill following a stem cell treatment, but was able to participate in the ceremony via an online video chat.
“There’s no one in this nation that I would rather have in this role than Michelle,” Ross said.
For her part, Noevere thanked Ross for being a friendly and kind mentor. She also said she enjoyed coming to work and giving her best with colleagues at an organization that improved people’s lives.
In his concluding remarks, Ross thanked everyone for their hard work, dedication and caring attitudes over the last year, adding the efforts paid off in PCC’s recognition by WalletHub as the No. 1 community college in America for students’ educational outcomes and on the college’s successful SACSCOC reaffirmation visit.
He said enrollment had begun to grow again after the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, Pamlico had the 10th highest increase in the state community college system this year, Ross said.
He also said he was honored and pleased that employee morale had remained high in recent years – something that the president believes leads to great things.
After briefly touching on his advocacy for the college with the N.C. General Assembly and the N.C. Department of Corrections, Ross, whose employment contract recently was extended for four years by the Board of Trustees, said he was excited about PCC’s future.
“This is what I want to do: To work with others to change lives,” he said. “Our college has such great days ahead of us. I am an unwavering optimist about the future.”
Employees then participated in a singalong of the Beatles’ hit “Here Comes the Sun.”
The lunchtime meal was catered by Nest Café, which is operated by a former Pamlico Correctional Institution offender. Instructor Ronald Scott offered the blessing before the meal.
College to Host 2023 Commencement Friday
May 8, 2023
The most joyous day of Pamlico Community College’s year is almost here!
The college will host its 2023 Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Ned Everett Delamar Center on the college’s Grantsboro campus.
One hundred thirty-two men and women in the college’s curriculum and Continuing Education programs have qualified for recognition over the last year. Those students have earned a combined 183 academic and Continuing Education credentials, including 37 associate degrees, 10 diplomas, 54 certificates and 82 Continuing Education recognitions.
Six students will be receiving two associate’s degrees each, and six Pamlico County High School seniors will be recognized for earning their Associate in Arts degrees the same year they will graduate from high school.
“All of us at the college are extremely excited about Commencement,” Ross said. “Like last year, we will be indoors at the Delamar Center for a full ceremony. We anticipate the event will be very inspiring. It gives all of us an opportunity to congratulate our graduates for their accomplishments, and it is the perfect occasion to salute their families for the sacrifices they have made to help our students achieve their goals.”
Ross will be presiding over his seventh Commencement as the college’s president. Cecilia A. “Candy” Bohmert, current vice chair of the Pamlico County Board of Commissioners and a member of the college’s Board of Trustees, will give the Commencement address.
Bohmert has a long-standing relationship with the college. In addition to her current service as a trustee, she earned an associate degree in Environmental Science Technology from PCC in 1996 and was honored as the college’s Alumnus of the Year in 2019.
“Candy Bohmert is an outstanding friend of our college, and we look forward to hearing what she has to say to the graduates,” Ross said.
The Class of 2023’s youngest graduate is 17, and the oldest graduate is 63.
All of this year’s graduates will be completing their studies in an academic year when PCC was recognized once again as America’s No. 1 community college for student success by WalletHub. The college has been honored with that title in two of the last three years.
During the ceremony, the college’s Academic Excellence Award/Student of the Year winner will be announced. Four students have been nominated this year. The college also will honor its Alumnus of the Year.
A reception with refreshments will follow the ceremony.
As in years past, the college has hired a professional photographer to take free family portraits for the graduates and their loved ones. Each complimentary portrait will be available to take home that night.
Six PCHS Seniors on Track to Get Degrees
May 1, 2023
“Six amazing high school seniors are making Pamlico Community College history this year,” stated PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “They are on track to soon earn their PCC Associate in Arts degrees, meaning they will do so during the same academic year they will graduate from Pamlico County High School.”
He continued, “These hard-working, outstanding students will gain tremendous advantages in jump-starting their careers and saving thousands of dollars in tuition costs by taking advantage of the biggest bargain in higher education. I look forward to presenting their college diplomas to them on May 12 at the PCC Commencement ceremony.”
The six students – all young women – have been able to accomplish this feat by taking tuition-free, college-level courses from PCC through the N.C. Career & College Promise program.
The credits earned by the high-achieving half-dozen counted both toward their high school diplomas and toward their associate degrees at PCC. These transferable college credits also give them a significant head start over their peers as they enroll in four-year universities or in other professional programs – and it didn’t cost any of them a dime.
“In years past, PCC has had high school students qualify for their associate degrees in the same year they receive their high school diplomas, but to have six students reach this tremendous goal in one year is something entirely unprecedented in our college’s history,” Ross said. “We are so proud of these students and their remarkable accomplishments. We know the future is bright for all six of these young women, and I think their story demonstrates the tremendous opportunities available to local high schoolers through the Career & College Promise program.”
The “starting five” of the group – Taylor Buck, Alessandra De La Cruz-Cornelio, Andrea Lopez, Mariah Stowe and De’yana Thomas – will complete their college coursework in May, meaning they will receive their associate degrees before they get their high school diplomas.
The sixth member of the team, Stephanie Harris, is on track to finish her final AA courses this summer.
All six are qualified to participate in the college’s Commencement ceremony May 12 at the Delamar Center.
In a recent interview, the six students said they had known one another since childhood, and all six had attended the same four Pamlico County public schools – Pamlico Primary, Fred A. Anderson Elementary, Pamlico County Middle School and Pamlico County High School – during their careers.
They said they learned about the tuition-free CCP program from their parents and other family members. Some said their moms were insistent they give the courses a try. Lopez said her cousins, who took several courses, “wished they had taken more.”
The students said they were attracted to the college-level courses, which are offered in both seated and online formats, because they would help them get ahead in their studies and qualify them for transferable college credits tuition-free. Earning their associate degrees also helped to set them apart from their high school classmates, the women said, adding members of their high school class were competitive and strong academically.
“If you wanted to be among those on top, you had to find a way,” Stowe said.
Buck plans to study elementary education at East Carolina University. She will be part of the university’s Living-Learning Community for first-year education students.
De La Cruz-Cornelio also will enroll at East Carolina University, where she plans to study psychology. She hopes to earn a master’s degree and become an occupational therapist.
It’s a Carolina blue future for Lopez, who will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and will study political science. She hopes to attend law school and become an immigration attorney.
Stowe, Harris and Thomas, who, at 17, is the youngest of the six, plan to become registered nurses.
Thomas, essentially a college junior at age 17, is headed to N.C. A&T State University in Greensboro. Harris and Stowe plan to attend Craven Community College.
Always looking to stay ahead, both Stowe and Thomas already have taken and passed a Nurse Aide I course through PCC’s Continuing Education division.
The women say taking and passing PCC college-level courses will help them to avoid some of their respective programs’ prerequisite courses – many of which are often difficult to get into and are offered only in huge lecture halls.
It took hard work and discipline to earn associate degrees while in high school. They often took large course loads, including during Summer Terms, all the while balancing their high school work and other responsibilities.
The experience likely prepared them for their upcoming lives as full-time college students.
“You get treated like an adult,” Lopez said. The others agreed, saying they’ve realized they have to rely on themselves – not their mothers, professors or anyone else – to remind them to do assignments, to meet deadlines and to stay motivated.
Derek Godwin, who oversees the CCP program, said the women deserve recognition for their hard work.
“They are all great kids,” he said. “They have impressed me with their work ethic and their willingness to take on challenges. I am certain they will be very successful at the next level.”
Group members are looking forward to both their college and high school graduation ceremonies, although it can be difficult to explain to family members exactly how they’re getting recognized for earning their college degrees before their high school diplomas.
“It feels backwards telling family that,” Thomas said with a chuckle.
Ross said the college is proud of all students who will graduate on May 12. “We commend each of our graduates for working hard, overcoming many obstacles, and persevering to reach this important milestone in their lives.”
For more information about the Career & College Promise program at PCC, call 252-249-1851, ext. 3106, or email dgodwin@pamlicocc.edu.
Tuition-Free Courses Set for CCP Students
April 24, 2023
Summer is a time for relaxing in the sun and having some fun, but it’s also a time when motivated high school students can get ahead in their studies. Pamlico Community College can help!
The college will be offering a robust slate of tuition-free University Transfer courses in an online format this summer.
The courses, which are available through the Career & College Promise (CCP) program, are specifically for rising high school seniors (current juniors who will be seniors in 2023-24) and for graduating Class of 2023 seniors who still will be in high school by the PCC class start date, which is May 22.
Enrolling in and passing one or more of these courses is a fantastic way to secure transferable college credit at no charge, PCC leaders say.
“We are excited about this opportunity for students,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “The CCP program is a remarkable value for Pamlico County families with some students actually earning their PCC college degree free of charge at the same time they earn their high school diploma!”
The president continued, “I strongly believe every eligible high school student should strive to take as many of our CCP classes as possible. This will give them a head start on gaining college credits, and the classes are free! I enjoyed teaching a class to them last year and was impressed by the students’ intelligence and commitment as well as how very much they progressed during the year.”
Neil Callahan, the college’s coordinator of academic advising, said, “Current CCP students who are rising seniors and those graduating in June have a unique opportunity to take advantage of transferable course offerings at PCC this summer. For rising seniors, you can get a head start on finishing up your CCP Transfer Pathway. For graduating seniors, you can gain a few extra courses to take with you when you apply to four-year institutions. The best part of all of this is that these courses are tuition-free. Save money before you go off to college!”
The list of courses includes nearly two dozen popular online offerings, including essential classes in Art Appreciation, Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology and more.
The approved credits earned by passing these courses can be used toward a degree at PCC or can be transferred to the state’s public universities. Several private colleges and universities in North Carolina also accept these credits.
“Earning tuition-free college credits while in high school is a wonderful thing,” Ross said. “These Summer School courses will enable motivated high school students to earn credits in the same way. I encourage eligible high schoolers to take advantage of this opportunity.”
For more information or to register for PCC’s Summer School University Transfer courses, please contact Derek Godwin at 252-249-1851, ext. 3106, or dgodwin@pamlicocc.edu.
Local Educator Joins PCC Board of Trustees
March 29, 2023
A self-described “lifelong learner” who spent more than three decades working in public education is the newest member of the Pamlico Community College Board of Trustees.
Sherry G. Meador, who retired in 2021 after a 33-year career as a classroom teacher, school administrator and central office leader in Pamlico County and elsewhere, has been appointed by the Pamlico County Board of Education to serve out the unexpired term of the late Larry Prescott.
Meador, who attended her first board meeting March 28, said she expected her career in public education to help her in her new role as a PCC trustee.
“I know the language and I know the processes,” she said. “And I think once you stop learning, you stop living.”
Bob Lyon, chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees, said he is pleased to have Meador join the board.
“I’ve known her many years. She is a fine person,” he said. “She will be a great asset to our board. She has worked with children and she has worked in administration with the school system. That will be a help for us.”
PCC President Dr. Jim Ross said he expects Meador to be an excellent member of the PCC Board of Trustees.
“I am very impressed with her,” he said. “Her love of learning and love of education with serve our college well.”
Meador was born in Elizabeth City and grew up in Manteo. After graduating as salutatorian from Manteo High School in 1985, she enrolled at Appalachian State University in Boone, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in K-12 special education.
“I wanted to be an advocate for students,” Meador said. “I was a lover of learning and I wanted everybody to have the same chance to learn.”
After teaching in Randleman, Greensboro and Clayton, Meador followed her husband, Rusty Meador, in 1991 to Pamlico County, where Rusty, a North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officer, had been assigned. She was hired by the Pamlico County Schools and began a long career in the system.
Along the way, she earned her certification to teach math – which included taking courses at PCC – and later her master’s degree in school administration from East Carolina University, which enabled her to take work as an assistant principal and principal at the middle school and at Fred A. Anderson Elementary School.
Later in her career, she held central office posts with ever-expanding roles in curriculum, instruction, accountability, professional development, school improvement and more.
“I’m a good multi-tasker,” Meador said with a smile. “You just do it.”
She has been recognized for excellence, earning honors as Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year. Additionally, Meador received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the Governor’s Office.
Now retired, she enjoys finding and making crafts with sea glass, reading, cooking and taking short trips with her husband and friends on their personal watercrafts.
The Meadors live with their five dogs in the Dawson Creek area. They have two grown children.
The PCC Board of Trustees is made up of 12 members. Four members are appointed by the Governor’s Office, four are appointed by the Pamlico County Board of Commissioners and four are appointed by the Pamlico County Board of Education.
PCC Seeks to Double Vocational Programs
March 29, 2023
Pamlico Community College President Dr. Jim Ross strongly believes the college must do even more to provide programs to prepare local residents for careers where they can work with their hands in vocational, technical and Allied Health fields.
Ross has made this a top priority since becoming PCC president six years ago because these jobs are plentiful, pay great wages, and are desperately needed by businesses in Eastern North Carolina. He cites strong national trends that show adult learners want short-term training programs that can qualify them for positions in high growth sectors of the economy such as health care.
PCC faculty and staffers have successfully responded to the President’s priority and added 20 short-term, hands-on training programs the past five years in skilled trades, Allied Health and other in-demand careers.
“We have been very aggressive in launching hands-on training programs that can be completed quickly and that can lead to good-paying jobs in health care and other important fields,” Ross said. “We have identified this as a college priority for the good it can do for our community and have added nearly two dozen programs over the last five years – and for the good of our community we’re just getting started.”
A task force Ross established last year documented 28 new vocational programs in addition to those already established that are needed, and Ross has made this a top priority for the college to achieve. PCC now is committed to doubling the number of its vocational and technical programs and doubling its Allied Health programs.
Ross is enthused to pursue the challenges in gaining funding to accomplish this. His enthusiasm and optimism are based on the tremendous good that will come to our community from this.
“We are pursuing a bold and noble goal to double the number of our vocational programs and double the number of our Allied Health programs in order to help make many more Pamlico citizens’ lives better. We pray for success in doing so because many local lives will be made so much better by achieving this,” he said. “In addition, our college and those that provide funding for this will be addressing severe shortages that businesses have in our state in finding well-trained employees in the vocational, technical and Allied Health fields.”
Pamlico Community College is one of America’s most-honored community colleges in the past five years. For example, PCC is currently ranked number 1 in the United States in student success among all community colleges. This prestigious ranking comes from WalletHub as it analyzed extensive data in student education outcomes from the U.S. Department of Education. This is the second time in the past three years that PCC has earned the number 1 ranking in the nation.
Ross has consistently given enthusiastic credit to “the caring and dedicated PCC employees for the great work they do” as the reason for the multitude of national and state awards the college has almost continuously earned the past five years.
The college is currently enrolling students for one of its newest Allied Health programs – Electronic Health Records. It’s an online program that trains individuals to maintain manual and electronic health records and to use them for data collection and analysis, data sources/sets, archival systems and more. It is scheduled to begin April 17.
In vocational and technical courses, PCC plans to offer new sections of its popular one-day Forklift Training course as well as the ServSafe food safety course. Both courses are scheduled for April.
For more information about upcoming courses at the college, please call 252-249-1851, ext. 3015, email lgiles@pamlicocc.edu or visit https://www.pamlicocc.edu/programs-continuing.php on the web.
Golden LEAF Supports Allied Health Project
February 27, 2023
Pamlico Community College will use $500,000 in recently announced funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation to transform the former boat-building shop in the Johnson Building into a versatile classroom and lab space for its ever-growing list of short-term Allied Health programs.
Plans call for renovating the vacant, roughly 2,000-square-foot space and installing important instructional equipment, supplies and technology to train men and women for in-demand health care jobs in Pamlico County and the region.
PCC President Dr. Jim Ross welcomed the generous support, saying it would accelerate the college’s ongoing efforts to offer a wider range of short-term, hands-on Continuing Education programs to meet the needs of adult learners and local employers.
“These funds will allow us to serve our community even better through one of our top priorities I identified when I became president six years ago – that of offering more and better Continuing Education Allied Health programs and other options to our community,” he said. “Our college deeply appreciates the funding decision from Golden LEAF to provide this $500,000 for this important purpose. We are honored to have developed a positive working relationship with Golden LEAF.”
Golden LEAF President and Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton said, “Golden LEAF is pleased to support the growth of Pamlico Community College’s Continuing Education and health care programs to meet the needs of local employers. Developing a prepared workforce is key to the long-term economic advancement of Pamlico County and the region.”
Under Ross’s leadership and at the recommendation of a presidential task force, PCC has added more than 20 short-term programs and courses in Allied Health and other areas in recent years, including Dialysis Technician, Physical Therapy Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Community Health Worker and others.
The renovated space will provide additional flexibility and will lead to additional program offerings, said Lori Giles, the college’s chair of Continuing Education and Technical Programs.
“This generous Golden LEAF investment will allow our college to create a contemporary, multi-disciplinary laboratory space to provide interactive health care occupations instruction,” she said. “We have needed some additional space to grow, and this will be a tremendous help. We are honored to receive this funding, as this will allow us to expand current health care offerings and initiate new programs.”
Beyond Allied Health, PCC also has added additional short-term, hands-on programs in Plumbing, HVAC, Solar Energy and Sustainable Agriculture, with plans to add more in the short term.
Ross said national trends indicate students want to explore short-term training options that can lead to good-paying jobs, and Pamlico Community College stands ready to meet that need.
“Our college has dramatically increased the number of short-term Continuing Education programs in Allied Health, vocational and technical areas in recent years, and we plan to continue,” he said. “Imagine the number of families we can help in our region when we do so.”
Ross reiterated his thanks to Golden LEAF for its support, and he also thanked Pamlico County officials for their work in helping the college secure the funding.
“I appreciate very much Pamlico County Manager Tim Buck and his team recommending our college to Golden LEAF to receive this funding,” he said. “The Pamlico County commissioners and Tim Buck are incredible friends of our college and of our entire community.”
US Congressman Visits PCC Students, Leaders
February 16, 2023
U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy and members of his district office staff visited Pamlico Community College Wednesday to meet with PCC President Dr. Jim Ross and other college leaders, to observe one of PCC’s health care courses and to thank the college and its employees for their numerous national recognitions for excellence and positive contributions to the community.
Ross said, “It was an honor for PCC that Congressman Murphy selected our college to come to visit. I enjoyed getting to know him and members of his team. He impressed me as a thoughtful, independent leader, and I look forward to working with him in the future to improve opportunities for the residents of Pamlico County and the region.”
Murphy lauded Ross for his remarkable leadership that has brought great accomplishments for Pamlico County citizens. Murphy said he found it extraordinary that on-campus surveys have found 95 percent of PCC employees reported high morale. In contrast, national surveys show approximately 30 percent of workers across America in all fields have high morale.
The congressman also praised PCC leaders for their empathy and support for students, saying a single positive interaction can affect a student’s outlook and prospects for success.
Murphy, a physician, is serving his second full term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Greenville Republican first was elected to the Third District U.S. House seat in 2019 to serve out the term of the late Walter B. Jones Jr., who had died in office. Murphy was re-elected to the seat in 2020 and in 2022.
After arriving at the college Wednesday, Murphy and his staffers were briefed about the college and its recent honors and accomplishments by Ross. The congressman’s group, which also included two members of the Pamlico County Board of Commissioners and Pamlico County Manager Tim Buck, then walked to the Delamar Center to visit with students in a Nurse Aide I course.
Nurse Aide I is one of the most popular short-term Continuing Education health care programs offered by PCC. Many, including Dialysis Technician, Physical Therapy Technician and Medical Billing and Coding, have been added in recent years. There are plans to expand the number of health care and other hands-on program offerings in the future, Ross explained to the congressman.
Following the classroom visit, Murphy was ushered to the Delamar Center Conference Room, where more than a dozen members of the PCC President’s Cabinet introduced themselves and offered their thoughts about working with students.
After leaving the conference room, Murphy, Ross and others stopped in the Delamar Center Auditorium, where the president explained why he made the decision five years ago to waive rental fees for Pamlico County non-profit organizations to better serve the community and the dramatic impact it has had on the community. It has also resulted in a huge increase in the community’s use of the facility.
Ross expressed appreciation to the “wonderful community” for fully embracing PCC with great partnerships. He also praised the Pamlico County commissioners for their outstanding support and partnership, and he thanked Buck and Commissioners Kari Forrest and Ed Riggs Jr. for accompanying Murphy to PCC Wednesday.
NCWorks Staffers Now Visit Twice Monthly
February 13, 2023
Pamlico Community College and the Craven NCWorks Career Center are expanding their partnership, which is great news for anyone looking for a new job and any employer searching for new staffers.
Beginning this month, staffers from the NCWorks New Bern office will be in the Johnson Building at PCC’s Grantsboro campus every first and third Tuesday each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet with job-seekers and to assist potential employers.
Working in collaboration with PCC’s Cristy Lewis Warner, NCWorks can assist Pamlico County men and women in searching for jobs, improving their skills or developing career plans.
No appointment is required. Services are free and open to the public.
“We are proud of our partnership with the Craven NCWorks Career Center, which itself is a collaboration between the N.C. Department of Commerce, the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board and many regional service and educational partners,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “Having their staffers on campus will enhance our ability to match residents with new jobs and training opportunities, which will result in an improved quality of life for everyone.”
Warner, who is director of the PCC Career Resource Center, said the Craven NCWorks Career Center is a tremendous resource to have on campus each month.
“Having Craven NCWorks on campus will provide Pamlico County residents with assistance in connecting with our regional employment opportunities and information about training opportunities,” she said.
One of those opportunities for job-seekers is the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult program, which assists adults who may need training to enter the current labor market.
“Additionally, employers can also connect with the center to list jobs, locate potential employees and learn about their many employer services,” Warner added.
For more information about the services available at the college, contact Warner at 252-249-1851, ext. 3014, or cwarner@pamlicocc.edu. The Craven NCWorks Career Center in New Bern can be reached by calling 252-514-4828 or by visiting www.ncworks.gov.
29 Students Named to Fall President’s List
February 2, 2023
Pamlico Community College has announced the names of the students who have earned placement on the PCC President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester.
To be eligible for the list, a student must be enrolled full time throughout the semester and must earn a grade point average between 3.5 and 4.0.
“It is an honor to salute these hard-working and dedicated men and women who have achieved great success in their respective academic programs,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “We are proud of these high-achieving students and look forward to celebrating their next successes.”
The 29 students named to the Fall 2022 President’s List are:
* Hannah Altman of Grantsboro (Cosmetology)
* Cindy Barker of New Bern (Associate in Arts)
* Terria Barrett of Vanceboro (Cosmetology)
* Savannah Barton of Bayboro (Welding)
* Angela Bateman of Cary (Associate in Arts/Partnership Teach program)
* Taylor Bateman of Cary (Criminal Justice)
* Ashley Bowers of New Bern (Associate in Science)
* Julissa Figueroa-Beltran of Grantsboro (Associate in Science)
* Angel Gaylord of Aurora (Environmental Science Technology)
* Faith Gayring of Sebastian, Fla. (Associate in Arts)
* Gwendolyn Hart of Alliance (Criminal Justice)
* Maria Herrera of Raleigh (Associate in Science)
* Ayden Hill of New Bern (Welding)
* Madison Hughes of Jacksonville (Dental Laboratory Technology)
* Kyle Jacobs of New Bern (Associate in Science)
* Megan Jones of Bayboro (Associate in Science)
* Alexandra McMillin of Newport (Business Administration)
* Rochelle Meadows of Aurora (Early Childhood Education)
* Alexandria Midgette of New Bern (Business Administration)
* Allison Midyette of Grantsboro (Cosmetology)
* Kelsey Price of Aurora (Medical Assisting)
* Ashley Ray of New Bern (Dental Laboratory Technology)
* Presley Robinson of Grantsboro (Cosmetology)
* Anajah Rouse of Bayboro (Cosmetology)
* Ayesha Salim of New Bern (Accounting & Finance)
* Lauren Schmidt of Bayboro (Medical Assisting)
* Mary Simpson of Grantsboro (Associate in Science)
* Joshua Tillman of Oriental (Business Administration)
* Thelma Wynn of New Bern (Accounting & Finance)
The following student has earned placement on Pamlico Community College’s Academic Distinction List for the Fall 2022 semester. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled full-time throughout the semester and earn a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.49.
* Stephany Carvallo of Aurora (Early Childhood Birth to Kindergarten Associate Degree)
Former Educator Joins PCC Board of Trustees
January 25, 2023
A former Craven County Teacher of the Year who spent nearly four decades working in public education is the newest member of the Pamlico Community College Board of Trustees.
Gayle Hardy, a Pamlico County resident who retired in 2021 after working 38 years as a classroom teacher and in other roles for school systems in Craven County, Pamlico County and Norfolk, Va., has been appointed to the board by Gov. Roy Cooper to serve out the unexpired term of Dr. Sue Lee.
She was scheduled to attend her first board meeting Jan. 24.
“I’m excited to be part of the conversation again,” said Hardy, who most recently worked as the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program coordinator and AVID elective instructor at New Bern High School – a role for which she earned the title of Teacher of the Year in 2020.
Bob Lyon, chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees, said he is pleased to have Hardy join the board.
“I welcome her to the Board of Trustees,” he said. “I look forward to working with her to make the college better.”
PCC President Dr. Jim Ross said he expects Hardy to be an excellent member of the PCC Board of Trustees.
“She impressed me greatly with her more than 30 years of experience in helping students reach their potential to succeed in the classroom,” he said. “Her record of changing students’ lives for the better is extraordinary, and this entire region is better because of her impact on students’ lives. The governor made an excellent decision in appointing her.”
Hardy has deep roots in the region. She grew up in the Broad Creek area of Craven County with family members on both sides of the Craven-Pamlico county line.
“We crossed over that line two or three times a day growing up,” Hardy said with a chuckle.
A shy girl, Hardy said she was initially unenthusiastic about school, but came to love it after good years with great teachers at Bridgeton Elementary School and elsewhere. Hardy graduated from New Bern High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from East Carolina University in 1984 and a master’s degree in education from ECU in 1986.
She taught at Fred A. Anderson Elementary School in Bayboro for two years before taking a job as a teacher and grant coordinator in Norfolk, Va. After six formative and rewarding years there, Hardy returned to Eastern North Carolina and worked as a classroom teacher at elementary schools in Craven County before taking a job as a reading specialist at New Bern High School. Her final position was as AVID coordinator/instructor at NBHS, where she worked to prepare underserved students for success in college or careers.
“My goal was to open up as many opportunities as possible and for them to be successful,” she said.
Hardy is married to John Hardy, a man with Wayne County roots she met during her time in Virginia. They live in Olympia and have two grown daughters.
The PCC Board of Trustees is made up of 12 members. Four members are appointed by the Governor’s Office, four are appointed by the Pamlico County Board of Commissioners and four are appointed by the Pamlico County Board of Education.
CCP Registration Set for Jan. 24 and 25 in Bayboro
January 17, 2023
High school juniors and seniors who are interested in enrolling in tuition-free Pamlico Community College courses can sign up for those classes next Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 24 and 25, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the Mattocks Center in Bayboro.
The credits earned by passing these college-level N.C. Career & College Promise (CCP) courses can help students get ahead on either a college degree or an in-demand hands-on career.
Importantly, they help students, and their families save lots of money.
“Tuition-free CCP courses are the among the best things we offer. In fact, I believe there is no better bargain in American higher education today than the tuition-free college-level courses we offer to high school juniors and seniors,” said PCC President Dr. Jim Ross. “The CCP program is a wonderful way for motivated students who want to get ahead in their studies or who want to get started on their careers to do so.”
The CCP program is open to local students, regardless of whether they attend Pamlico County High School, Arapahoe Charter School, Pamlico Christian Academy or a home school.
The courses are taught in a face-to-face format, an online format or in a combination of both. Many of the courses are offered at the Ernestine R. Mattocks Center of Excellence, which is located behind PCC’s Bayboro Center and across the street from Pamlico County High School.
Others are offered on the PCC campus in Grantsboro or online.
At PCC, CCP students earn an average of 39 free college credit hours while still in high school. That’s a lot of money saved in college or university tuition and fees!
Students and their families are encouraged to talk to their high school guidance counselors or to contact PCC’s Derek Godwin at dgodwin@pamlicocc.edu or 252-249-1851, ext. 3106, for more information.
Lana Green Receives PCC President’s Award
January 9, 2023
Lana Green says you never know who’s watching and appreciating your work and your attitude.
Never has that been truer for the full-time custodian and New Bern native than when Pamlico Community College President Dr. Jim Ross named her the recipient of the 2022-23 President’s Award.
The award, which Ross created after he became the college’s fifth president in 2016, is presented annually to a PCC employee who is considered by Ross to be a great example of being professional and productive on the job and who has a positive attitude.
Green’s selection was announced during the college’s Christmas luncheon in December. Ross formally presented her the award Monday on campus.
“Lana Green exemplifies the key attributes of professionalism, productivity and positivity,” Ross said. “She is an outstanding professional and an outstanding person.”
For her part, Green was surprised to receive the award. She was visibly moved upon hearing her name at the December luncheon and, a month later, is still surprised the president had taken note of her efforts on the job.
“I was just shocked. I had no clue,” Green said recently. “In my position, a lot of time you don’t get recognized. Never in a million years did I think Dr. Ross would choose me.”
Green has been employed at PCC since 2016. Her duties include cleaning rooms and entranceways and ensuring the restrooms are sanitary and stocked with supplies. She occasionally is the first person visitors encounter at the college, so she enjoys answering questions and giving directions.
“I help people who come to the college get to where they need to go,” Green said. “I love it. I’m a people person.”
Ross said he often takes note of Green’s ever-present smile and was impressed by her recent willingness to assist someone who was experiencing difficulty in the restroom.
“She makes lives better every single day at our college,” he said.
Green has worked at PCC since 2016. After working in home health care, she came to the college in search of a job with better hours and good benefits. Green still works a side job in home health care when she’s not at the college.
She said she likes her work at Pamlico and loves the family atmosphere on campus.
“I enjoy working here at Pamlico Community College,” Green said. “I try to do the best I can. I love it. There’s a work family here.”
Speaking of family, Green is the mother of two sons who live in the New Bern area. She also is close with her brother and two sisters, and she says she is happy that God has put her in a good place with a good job.
“I am thankful,” Green said. “I owe it all to God. I am highly blessed. I’m also thankful to Dr. Jim Ross for considering me.”
Previous recipients of the President’s Award include Herman Turnage, Pattie Leary, Cameron Kishel, Gary Toler and Meredith Beeman.