THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996 TAG: 9601260193
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON A. MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Long : 109 lines
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, I had hoped to explore educational opportunities in time to pass them on for those whose new year's resolutions were of the self-improvement variety. Holiday and winter-related closings made it take awhile to discover it, but Suffolk is a gold mine in terms of adult and continuing education opportunities.
Suffolk boasts two community colleges within its borders, each tied to other facilities in neighboring communities. The Suffolk Public Schools have an active adult education program set up on a regional basis jointly with Isle of Wight. Surprisingly, much of what is available to the public appeared to fit ``the best kept secret'' category.
``It's amazing that there are so many people that don't even know that we exist,'' said W. Ross Boone, director of academic programs at the Oliver K. Hobbs Campus of Paul D. Camp Community College on Kenyon Road just off of U.S. Route 58.
P.D. Camp moved to its present location last year and serves about 700 students. The average student age is about 26 years old. More than half the students are employed full-time; 80 percent are employed at least part-time.
The college operates on a dual system: day and evening. A variety of course offerings is available, some offered cooperatively with other institutions. The library is tied in, via computer, with the state community college network and public library systems and will soon be tied in to schools with undergraduate and graduate programs.
Boone explained that to increase awareness of the facilities that are available, the college is willing to host groups that are looking for meeting sites.
P.D. Camp also has a campus in Franklin and a center in Smithfield.
Across town, Judy S. Liles, vocational and adult education coordinator for the Suffolk Public Schools, was happy to talk about her programs.
The Center For Lifelong Learning, she explained, has been established at the P.D. Pruden Vocational-Technical Center, 4169 Pruden Blvd., as a joint venture by Suffolk and Isle of Wight. Scott Weatherford, assistant director of the Vo-Tech Center, is the adult night school principal. Classes range from air conditioning and refrigeration to woodworking. Some are offered at satellite locations.
``It is the goal,'' said Liles, ``of Suffolk's School Superintendent, Mrs. Joyce Trump, to reach out to the community, to go where the demand is.''
Liles pointed out that the city is an official GED testing center, offering the high school equivalency exam the second Saturday of each month. GED preparatory classes are available as well as adult basic education and vocational classes.
The Suffolk Literacy Council, with the public schools, said Liles, provides one-on-one tutoring for those wishing to learn to read.
Liles mentioned a number of area businesses with workplace programs offered through a partnership with the schools. Courses include reading, math and vocational and computer skills; classes are generally on-site. Participation by employees is voluntary. The program with Planter's, she said, was the first in Virginia and became a model for the state and nation for other companies' programs.
Tidewater Community College also offers a continuing education program, said Al Thompson, director of special training for business, industry and government. The college's Portsmouth campus is located in Suffolk at 7000 College Drive.
``We've got a bunch of different things,'' Thompson said, ``such as AUTOCAD (a computer design program), air conditioning and refrigeration, heating and cooling, and an environmental program.''
Thompson noted that spring classes will include interactive computer courses, women in leadership seminars, grant writing, interviewing skills for supervisors and SAT (college entrance exam) preparation.
Continuing education courses are noncredit although continuing education units - CEUs - may be awarded. John Price, assistant professor in the technology department, explained that students who complete certificate courses can work toward an associate degree and, if they desire, then go to ODU or another four-year institution to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree.
TCC also draws many nontraditional students. The average age, said Thompson, is 29. As his title implies, much training is custom-tailored for employers to offer their employees. Lipton, Norfolk's Public Works Department and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard are several that use the service.
Thompson spoke in especially glowing terms concerning the experience and dedication of the faculty. Price, he said, as an example, had obtained his degree two years ago, after 20 years of hands-on experience in the field in which he is now teaching.
TCC also has campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Adult or continuing education courses generally involve tuition and other charges; if offered through an employer, the employer may cover all or part of them (and may pay for all or some of the class time). Some employers have tuition-reimbursement programs; check with your personnel or human resource department.
Hanging in the student lounge at P.D. Camp is a quote from Abraham Lincoln: ``Your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.''
Happy learning! MEMO: For more information about P.D. Camp Community College, call the
admissions office at 804/925-2283; Center for Lifelong Learning, call
804/925-5590 or 800/831-8639; Suffolk Literacy Council, call
804/539-1524; Tidewater Community College, call 804/484-2121, Ext. 396.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos by DAWSON MILLS
Students listen attentively as Wayne Hodge lectures a philosophy
class at the Oliver K. Hobbs Campus of Paul D. Camp Community
College.
Linda Smith, admissions clerk at Paul D. Camp Community College,
takes information from William Mallory, who is registering for a
class.
by CNB