Program Holds Summer Institute for 100 Rising Seniors from Pitt County
WINTERVILLE—The Pitt Community College Visions Career Development and Scholarship Program welcomed 100 new students into the fold last week.
From June 13-15, the largest class in Visions’ 12-year history participated in the program’s annual Summer Institute to learn more about educational and career opportunities available to them locally.
“The Summer Institute is an opportunity for students to assess their strengths and gain information that will help them choose a college major that best fits their career goals,” said PCC Visions High School Coordinator Rebecca Warren. “While we have them on campus, they participate in hands-on instruction to learn more about our programs and experience what it’s like to be a college student.”
In addition to visiting PCC curricula, the rising high school seniors also became more familiar with their Visions responsibilities and toured the Grady-White Boats facility in Greenville, where they received tips for professional and life success from Kris Carroll, the company’s president.
“Grady-White Boats invites our students to tour their facility each year, so they can see firsthand the types of jobs needed to successfully operate a large company – everything from administrative and clerical positions to welding and engineering,” said Jim Shallow, PCC Visions High School Technical Program coordinator.
Started in 2004 to help reduce Pitt County’s high school drop-out rate while increasing the number of county students attending college, Visions is the product of a partnership between the PCC Foundation, Pitt County Schools and the Eddie & Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation.
Each year, the program provides a select group of Pitt County high school students with the direction and support they need in order to earn their diplomas and move on to higher education. Between 2005 and 2015, 543 of 546 Visions students have graduated from high school.
Due to Visions’ success, Herman Simon, a key figure in the creation of the program, and the Eddie & Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation have increased funding over the years to allow more students to participate. To date, VISIONS has served 719 Pitt County students.