FRANKLIN
Dr. James Thornton, the new superintendent of Isle of Wight County Schools, was a recent guest at Paul D. Camp Community College. In addition to being introduced to the administration and faculty, the public school leader was informed of the college’s dual enrollment availability for IOW students.

Dr. Bill Aiken, interim president, said he wanted PDCCC to “begin some conversation with Isle of Wight County Schools.

Essentially, the program enables ambitious high school students to take college-level classes as they’re working on their own diploma requirements. Successful completion also earns credits that can go toward higher education requirements.

Thornton said he’s already very familiar with the dual enrollment program.

“I look forward to this new relationship,” he said.

Accompanying him, was Laura Abel, the assistant superintendent, echoed the sentiment.

“We’re very excited as we continue this relationship,” she said.

Aiken stressed that the college’s connection with public schools is very important to PDCCC, and added that 25 percent of its enrollment comes from the DE program. He also noted that parents are beginning to recognize its value in both savings of money and time.

Joining in the discussion were Jeanette Pellegrin, the dual enrollment coordinator for PDCCC.

“It’s exploding,” she said about the program’s development. “Now we’re partnering with two high schools.”

Pellegrin also said she’d like to see an increase in the hands-on programs of career tech education, such as robotics, and she’s open to suggestions.

The new classes anticipated for the coming school years are English composition, pre-calculus and statistics. This is in addition to the existing architectural drawing, word processing, presentation software, teacher cadet and marketing.

“We have to think less traditionally and be more creative in getting students to tech, and vice versa,” Pellegrin said.

“We are well-positioned for a blended classroom model,” Abel said.

Another speaker was Dr. Justin Oliver, the interim dean of the transfer program, is based at the Smithfield Center. He told Thornton that a goal is for “your students see us as a first option versus going across the James River to Thomas Nelson Community College or southside at TCC.

“The brainstorming starts now,” Oliver added.

Abel suggested getting more students to mini-conferences or mini-education camps at the Smithfield site.

Caroline Hurt, a local board member, urged that the college “needs more visibility to make sure people know about the campus. There’s no better way than partnering with PDCCC.”

“I’m enthused,” Thornton said in response to the presentation, adding that he’s personally interested in the career tech aspect. Further, Thornton recommended, “We need to talk to our industry leaders and ask what they need.”