Only this spring’s nursing graduates can say they received training during a historic global pandemic. Halfway through the semester, they learned firsthand how authorities approach public health policy on a widespread scale by instituting social distancing guidelines and other measures to mitigate the rapid spread of COVID-19. Piedmont Technical College (PTC) expects to graduate 43 nursing students in May. On March 20, all nursing courses transitioned to online-only instruction in mid-semester. Fortunately, most students had completed the clinical portion of their training, so the switch did not interfere with their graduation plans.
In consideration for students negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the Piedmont Technical College (PTC) Area Commission, at its meeting on April 21, 2020, voted to freeze tuition for the fall semester to ease the pandemic burden on students.
How can students without access to technology or the internet continue their courses when everything has suddenly shifted to an online environment? Faculty and staff at Piedmont Technical College (PTC) responded to this question in an unprecedented way to help students continue their coursework during the recent transition to a virtual teaching and learning environment.
Piedmont Technical College (PTC) student Antonia Adams has taken the transition to remote education in stride, though she misses the social aspects of college life. The gregarious Phi Theta Kappa-honored scholar and Presidential Ambassador — who is widely involved in college life and a familiar face to many on campus — found the breakneck adjustment to completely virtual courses trouble-free but also a bit lonely. Always one to keep things in positive perspective, however, she expressed gratitude for PTC’s handling of the crisis.
Some might suggest that Piedmont Technical College Psychology Instructor Meredith Brown bribes her students in exchange for their class participation. They would be wrong. It’s actually similar to a psychological method called operant conditioning, which is used to stimulate desired behaviors using rewards and punishments. Her students study it as part of the curriculum, and it’s also an effective way to motivate them.
The Piedmont Technical College (PTC) Economic Development and Continuing Education (ConEd) Division is prepared to help anyone experiencing a gap in employment or thinking about trying something new. The Manufacturing Job Readiness Pre-Employment Workshop — a multi-session clinic — is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 18. The workshop, an $800 value, is offered at no cost to those who qualify for a workforce scholarship.
Scholarship-granting decision-makers typically look for qualities like academic performance, leadership, community service and communication skills when selecting those worthy of their support. Also important are passion, focus and a positive attitude. The 208 students who were mailed scholarship awards recently at Piedmont Technical College (PTC) have those qualities in abundance.
Fabiola Corona came to the United States from Mexico when she was 14 years old. Spanish was the only language she knew. During four years of high school, she picked up English and is conversationally fluent but sometimes struggles when it comes to written English. Now a student majoring in business administration at Piedmont Technical College (PTC), Corona has been receiving extra tutoring help in English and math through the college’s Student Support Services (SSS) department.
The administration at Piedmont Technical College (PTC) wants the community to know that PTC is the place to be for students interested in getting an effective, quality education, while ensuring they are as safe as they can be. Fall classes at PTC will begin on August 17.
