By Dr. Patsy Joyner

Since joining the board in July, Dr. Paul Conco, Paul D. Camp Community College’s new president, continues to meet with people across the college’s service region on what he coins his “listening” tour. To increase awareness of the college, he has also initiated a “Quick Facts” sheet to share wherever he goes, which is outlined below:

• Paul D. Camp Community College (PDCCC) is a small, rural, comprehensive, two-year college located in Southeast Virginia.

• An advocate of education, Paul D. Camp, along with his brothers, founded the lumber company, Camp Manufacturing Company in 1887. It was later known as Union Camp Corp., and finally International Paper, before officials announced its closing in October 2009.

• The college was built on land donated by Camp’s daughters almost 50 years after his death.

Additional interesting college facts include the following:

• Founded — 1970; Franklin Campus opened: 1971; Smithfield Center: 1993; Hobbs Suffolk Campus: 1995;

• President: Paul William Conco, Ph.D.; 2010.

• Campuses and Sites: Franklin Campus, 100 North College Drive, Franklin; 569-6700; Hobbs Suffolk Campus, 271 Kenyon Road, Suffolk, 925-6300; Smithfield Center, 253 James Street, Smithfield; 925-6340; www.pdc.edu

• Tuition: In-State: $108.50 per credit hour. Tuition and fees at PDCCC are less than half of the comparable cost of attending Virginia’s public four-year institutions.

• Students: more than 2,600 full- and part-time students are served annually at PDCCC. Full-Time: 27%; Part-Time: 73%; Males: 32%; Females: 68%; Students older than 24: 40%

• Career Coaches: PDCCC has career coaches assigned to the high schools in our service area. The coaches assist students and their parents with college preparations and exploring career choices.

• Dual Enrollment: In addition to day and evening classes, and credit and non-credit workforce services and training, dual-enrollment classes are offered in area high schools. www.pdc.edu www.VaWizard.org

• Distance Education: PDCCC uses the Blackboard course management system to host instruction, assignments, discussions, and tests. About a third of students are enrolled at some level in distance education courses.

• Financial Aid: More than 40 percent of our students received some type of financial aid in 2010, totaling more than $3.7 million. More than 30 local scholarships are available.

• Online Tools: PDCCC promotes registration with the VCCS Virginia Education Wizard, an online one-stop resource that helps students and their families make informed decisions about college and career choices. www.VaWizard.org

• Clubs, Organizations and Programs: Faith Unleashed in Everyday Life (FUEL); Literary Club; Nursing Student Association; Phi Theta Kappa honor society; the Science Club; Student Ambassadors program; Student Government Association; The Student Voice newsletter; Student Support Services program; Western Tidewater Tech Prep/Career Pathways and Upward Bound program.

• Technology: PDCCC has more than 280 computers on its campuses and sites, including its workforce development centers. Wireless Internet is available; students can register, pay for classes and receive their grades online.

• Degrees & Certificates: Associate degree programs in Business Administration, Education, General Studies, Science, Administration of Justice, Administrative Support Technology, Early Childhood Development, Industrial Technology, Management and Nursing. PDCCC also offers four one-year certificates and 26 career Studies certificates that can be earned in less than one year.

• Admissions Agreements: Through guaranteed admissions agreements, PDCCC students with an associate’s degree and a minimum GPA can seamlessly transfer to more than 20 four-year colleges and universities in the state.

• Faculty, Staff and Administration: Approximately 151 full- and part-time faculty and staff employed.

• Workforce Development: Training and services are available at the college’s Regional Workforce Development Center on the Franklin Campus, the City of Suffolk Workforce Development Center, Hobbs Suffolk Campus and the PDCCC Smithfield Center. From July 2009 to June 2010, 252 Career Readiness Certificates were awarded.

• Economic Impact: Paul D. Camp Community College is the fourth largest employer in the city of Franklin (Source: Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc., from 2009 Virginia Employment Commission data). The college has a budget of more than $10 million.

For more information on options available at PDCCC, visit www.pdc.edu, or call 569-6700