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WCC MEETS ALLEGHANY RESIDENTS EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AT HOME
needs.”
Martha Fletcher, WCC’s Curriculum Coordinator for the Alleghany Campus,
is excited about the many possibilities for helping those who
live in Alleghany County achieve their edu
cational goals.
“Some people who live here (in Al
leghany) travel to other towns to take
classes because they don’t know what
we have to offer right here near their
homes,” stated Fletcher. “We plan to
work hard during the coming year to let
people know about all of the educa
tional possibilities available here. We
also will be talking to local employers and
public school officials to determine what needs they
have for educational services and how the college can do more to meet those
One of the major factors that influences employers to locate in a specific area is the availability of workforce training. The WCC Al
leghany Campus provides general education classes such as literacy and English-as-a-second-language classes (needed for Spanish
speaking students), as well as specific training to meet employers’ needs. Such services as specialized computer training, Adult High
School Diploma classes, employment skills, communication and customer service classes are also available for employees. When
necessary, labs may be held at off-campus sites, such as an employer’s shop, in order to provide the hands-on training needed.
There are currently several certificate and diploma programs available that meet the educational needs of the local workforce.
Should a certificate or degree holder choose to continue to work toward an associate degree, the college can provide the courses
needed to assist on this path with minimum commuting to another campus. The One-Plus-One program, available at the Alleghany
Campus, allows students to complete the first year in several degree programs offered by Wilkes Community College and then con
tinue their studies to complete the degree at a nearby location such as the Ashe or Wilkes Campuses. The Alleghany Campus works
Very closely in coordination with the Ashe Campus in providing classes and services for WCC students.
The dual enrollment program allows high school students to take classes at WCC Alleghany Campus and receive both high school
and college credit at the same time. Tuition is free for courses taken as dual enrollment. A student attending under the dual enroll
ment plan could graduate from high school with as much as 12 hours of college credit completed. The Tech Prep program allows
students to take courses while in high school that prepare them to continue into a technical program at the community college.
The Early Childhood program is one that will receive a lot of emphasis at the Alleghany Campus during the coming year. Through
the Teach and Wages program operated for the state in cooperation with the Alleghany Partnership, local child care providers can
take classes at no charge and receive a wage bonus upon completion of the program.
The cyber classroom, located at Alleghany High School, allows students to take courses of
fered at other locations such as the Ashe or Wilkes Campuses. Students do not need to go to
the main Campus in Wilkes for registration or to buy books. Also available at Alleghany High
School through the Huskins Bill are classes taught in the cyber classroom which are scheduled
during the students’ curriculum day. Students are allowed to enroll, attend and complete these
courses without ever leaving the high school campus.
It is the goal of the WCC Alleghany Campus to meet the educational needs of
all Alleghany County adult learners. With additional financial aid now avail
able through the new state grant, most students entering Wilkes Community
College are eligible for free tuition. Anyone interested in learning more about
the educational opportunities available at WCC in Alleghany County should
call Martha Fletcher at 372-5061.