SJRCC PRESS RELEASE March 2008 SJRCC Open House gives Clay County high school students personal look at college life St. Johns River Community College recently welcomed a record number of high school students to its annual open house. Approximately 200 seniors participated in the event created to inform incoming freshmen of educational opportunities, scholarships, financial aid and the admissions process. Students from Orange Park, Middleburg, Fleming Island, Clay and Ridgeview high schools and the Bannerman Learning Center toured the campus, including the new state-of-the-art health-sciences building. Students attended presentations on the Associate in Arts (transfer) degree as well as Associate in Science degree programs such as nursing, computer science and some of the College's newer programs such as architectural design and construction technology. According to Tyler Hudson, SJRCC's workforce specialist-recruiter, there is an increased interest in the health-related fields. "Through programs such as Orange Park High School's Academy of Health Sciences, students are becoming aware of the growing need for and opportunities in health-related professions." New to the open house agenda was a career exploration exercise. Students completed a survey designed to link occupational themes with interests and skills. Students later discussed how their interests matched certain careers and which of those programs are offered at the College. "The exercise was successful," Hudson said. "We saw what we believe was a higher level of insightful questions when the students later participated in our career panel discussions. We strongly promote approaching career and interest assessment, and programmatic guidance from as many perspectives as possible." Two of the students participating in the tour were Orange Park High School's Keyonia Magee and Krystina Watson. Although this was their first time on campus, the girls have experienced college courses through SJRCC's dual enrollment program. The program offers free college courses to eligible high school juniors and seniors on campus and at participating high schools. "Dual enrollment teaches you more responsibility," Magee said. "By the time you get to college full time, you know more, like how much work is involved and how to apply the right studying techniques." The two "pre-med" students said they signed up for the open house in order to get a first-hand look at the College and what college life will be like once they begin attending full time. Registration for the summer A term begins in March 5. For more information, contact SJRCC at 276-6800. SJRCC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award the Associate Degree. PHOTO CAPTION: Orange Park High School seniors Keyonia Magee (left) and Krystina Watson join their classmates for a tour of St. Johns River Community College during the annual open house. The dually enrolled students plan to attend SJRCC full time following their high school graduation. Return to SJRCC home page.