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Providing learning opportunities and effective instruction as necessary for employment or further education in Bladen County takes an ongoing commitment. Bladen Community College, along with industry leaders proved committed to the task at today’s College Futures Conference for Excellence and Success held today at the college. Dr. Findt, Bladen Community College President welcomed the crowd by saying, “Our goal today is to hear from each one of you to hear how we can better serve our community.”
A wide variety of industries and agencies were represented at the conference along with the board members of the college and a collection of the college’s staff. Chuck Heustess with the Economic Development, Paul Evans with Graphic Packaging, Barbara Knight with Du Pont/ Kuraray, Ann Garrett, with NC Employment Security Commission, District Attorney John David, Sheriff Jim McVicker, Elizabethtown Town Manager, Eddie Madden, Elizabethtown Fire Chief, Nick West, and Commissioners Charles Ray Peterson, G. Michael Cogdell, and Wayne Edge were just some in attendance.
“Our mission statement is something we take seriously.” Dr. Findt said. The mission states, “Bladen Community College is dedicated to the education and cultural enrichment of the people of Bladen County and the communities it serves. The College is committed to quality teaching, to high-order learning, to opportunities for enrichment, and to safe sustainable learning environment.”
After the goals of the day were addressed, groups were made to generate discussions about how the college may work towards better serving our community. After the 10 points were discussed in depth in the small groups, everyone shared their thoughts and ideas.
Some of the suggestions made by the representatives at the meeting were, more use of social media, marketing and branding of the college may help increase awareness of the college and the opportunities offered. Everyone was in agreement using students’ testimonials, past and present, would showcase what the difference the college can make in someone’s life.
When asked, “What services should the college provide?” “Training in chemical safety is one key concern of current employers in Bladen County.” Chuck Heustess said. Other suggestions for this topic were to offer more mechanical training, and working with the agricultural office to offer farming training.
Sports and arts were also mentioned as services the school could offer to assist in more interest. Berry Priest said, “Our Minority Male Mentoring Program does have a basketball team that plays with the church teams in Bladen County.”
Collaboration was another topic that continued to be discussed. The college already does a great job with collaboration in Bladen and surrounding counties. “We would like to see more involvement with the church leaders in the county.” Charles Ray Peterson said.
The college will be compiling all of today’s answers in a report. They will use the information gleamed today to provide better services to Bladen County.
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