“We’ve been simply amazed, and, of course, pleased,” said Connie Haire, vice president of the Macon Campus. “Our campus is growing not only in programs, but in terms of facilities, too.”

“We’ve had requests for additional programs and we’re balancing our offerings so for this fall we added new programs,” Haire said. These added programs include civil engineering, surveying technology, health information technology, and human services - substance abuse certificate. The basic emergency medical science course, EMS 110, will be offered as well.

Surveying technology is one of the five new programs offered this fall at SCC’s Macon Campus. Now students, like Franklin High School graduate and SCC student Aaron Garrett shown here, can take entry level courses included in the curriculum for both the surveying and civil engineering technology programs at Macon and complete the second year on the Jackson Campus. For more information call 369-7331. Fall registration is Aug. 15.

More than 340 students took classes in the first year at the new campus, according to Haire.

“Even before the Macon Campus was constructed we did a feasibility study of what programs were needed to meet the needs of the business and education community,” she said. “From that, we initially offered associate degrees in business administration, college transfer, criminal justice, computer information technology and early childhood. We also offered the first year of web technology and networking technology and real estate course work. Pre-college courses were offered for students who need to prepare for college level coursework. For students headed to a health program, pre-health course work was also available. We felt it was a pretty good mix of programs. Now our new programs for fall will round out that balance.”

In responding to the need for additional programs, students in civil engineering and surveying technology can now complete the first year of their coursework at the Macon Campus and complete the second year at the Jackson Campus.

"We are excited to begin offering basic entry level courses included in the curriculum for both the surveying and civil engineering technology programs on the Macon Campus this fall” said SCC surveying technology instructor Peter Messier. “We hope to build on this by adding specific courses in the surveying and civil engineering technology majors in the future. If anyone is interested in, or needs more information about the disciplines of surveying and civil engineering technology, they should feel free to contact me for information and a tour." Messier can be reached at pmessier@southwesterncc.edu or at 828.586.4091, ext. 402.

Health Information Technology students can get a start in this health field that provides them with expertise in processing, analyzing and reporting health information in a variety of health-related settings.

“This program places students right where healthcare meets the cutting edge of technology,” said SCC HIT program director Penny Wells.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the national certification examination to become a registered health information technician (RHIT). Graduates with the coding diploma may choose to take a national coding certification examination to become a certified coding specialist (CCS). Employment opportunities exist in acute care hospitals, ambulatory care, rehab facilities, long-term care, hospice, outpatient clinics, physician offices, mental health facilities, law firms, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and managed care organizations. With the transcription certificate graduates may be able to work from home or start their own business.

The HIT program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIIM) collaboration with the Council of Accreditation of the American Health Information Management Association. For more information, contact Wells at 828.586.4091 ext. 362.

Upon completing the five courses in the human services technology/substance abuse certificate program students can move directly into employment or may choose to complete the associate’s degree.

Students who will be 18 by the time they successfully complete the EMS 110 course can apply for the certification exam.

In addition to the new programs, SCC is expanding options for computer information technology degree-seeking students by offering evening, weekend and online selection of courses. This degree is available on an alternate schedule designed for those who are currently employed and want to get this degree or gain knowledge and skills to enhance their work. By following the prepared schedule of classes students can complete the degree in two years (including summer classes).

To accommodate the rapid growth of SCC classes and the Macon Early College, Macon County Commissioners are working toward constructing a 6,000 square foot classroom building, Haire said. This building will have five classrooms and a multi-purpose area as well as faculty work space/offices. Both college and early college classes will be held in this addition to the Macon Campus. It will also house a variety of GED, basic skills, and ESL classes.

Fall registration on the Macon Campus will be Aug. 15. For more information call 369.7331.

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