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WINTERVILLE — Pitt Community College will receive more than $1 million in federal grant funding to enhance its biotechnology program as part of the Accelerate NC — Life Sciences Manufacturing coalition’s effort to strengthen North Carolina’s life sciences sector.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration announced the winners of its $1 Billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge. The coalition, which is led by the N.C. Biotechnology Center, was awarded $25 million as one of 21 entities selected to receive funding.

The money will be used to develop a more robust pipeline of biotech talent across North Carolina and extend opportunities to underserved and historically excluded communities. It will also be used to expand entry-level biotechnology training programs at PCC and nine other North Carolina community colleges and establish university-based, life sciences training hubs at seven of the state’s minority-serving institutions.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said Build Back Better funding would add to the “exceptional growth” of North Carolina’s biotechnology industry by recruiting and training the next generation of biotech and life sciences professionals, especially from underserved and minority institutions.

“The Accelerate NC — Life Sciences Manufacturing coalition will increase the capacity of North Carolina’s education system to meet workforce demand and prepare residents for good-paying jobs in the biotech and life sciences sectors,” she added.

PCC Biotechnology Department Chair Christy Weeks said PCC provided a 20 percent match toward its grant funding, bringing the total grant budget to more than $1.26 million over a three-year period. In addition to faculty training, equipment, supplies and travel, she said the budget includes funding for a new biotechnology faculty member, project liaison and ‘pathways equity navigator,’ who will establish a biotech career pathway for underserved student populations.

“The purpose of the grant is to expand PCC’s capacity to produce BioWork and Biotechnology associate degree completers to meet the workforce needs of the state’s life science industries,” Weeks said. “Our biopharmaceutical industry in North Carolina, and specifically in eastern North Carolina, is expanding rapidly and the workforce needs are great.”

While Gov. Roy Cooper said investing in biotechnology would boost North Carolina’s economy and strengthen its workforce “for years to come,” U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield added that it would “accelerate economic equity” and the state’s resilience.

“I am particularly excited about planned partnerships with high schools and community colleges, including Pitt Community College and Wilson Community College in my district, to help students gain skills and experience that will prepare them for manufacturing jobs upon graduation,” Butterfield said.

Weeks says there has never been a better time in eastern North Carolina for securing “high-paying, rewarding” employment in the pharmaceutical industry.

“It is our role at the community college to connect students to career opportunities through increased awareness, creating educational pathways with ‘off-ramps’ into careers at various education points, and working with industry partners to ensure the training we provide meets their workforce needs,” she said. “The grant funding we’ve been awarded for biotechnology will enhance our ability to perform that role, which is beneficial to students, industry and the region.”

Free high school equivalency, ELA courses start in October

With orientation less than a month away, the PCC Transitional Studies Department is making one last enrollment push this fall for students to join its High School Equivalency and English Language Acquisition programs.

According to PCC Transitional Studies Director Melissa Morlock, the college has classes that prepare students for GED and other high school equivalency exams scheduled to start in October, along with courses that help adult students learn English. She said the instruction is free and will be offered at various times throughout the day on campus, through distance learning, and at off-campus sites within Pitt County.

“Our program is 100% free, but students must complete the online registration form or call us to get set up for orientation,” Morlock said, adding that orientation will take place Oct. 4-7.

For more details, Morlock says an interest form is available on the Transitional Studies page of the PCC website (pittcc.edu). She said prospective students may also call the Transitional Studies Department at (252) 493-7892.

12-week late-start courses set to begin at Pitt on Sept. 19

A new round of late-start classes will get underway Monday at PCC, giving those still interested in taking curriculum courses this fall another opportunity to enroll.

Lori Preast, PCC Assistant Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction, says the 12-week classes that begin this month will run until Dec. 16. Because they are four weeks shorter than classes that began at the start of the semester in August, she says they “require an extra measure of self-motivation and diligence in order to succeed in them.”

Course selection varies from Creative Writing and Quantitative Literacy to Medical Terminology and World Religions. Some are specific to associate degree curricula, while others can be transferred to many of North Carolina’s public and private four-year institutions.

New students must complete a PCC admissions application and submit copies of their official high school transcripts to the Registrar’s Office to enroll in late-start classes. Current students may register from an approved Student Education Plan or by contacting their academic advisors.

More details and a list of late-start classes being offered this fall are available on the PCC website.

Contact jstorm@reflector.com or 252-329-9587.

www.Reflector.com 1150 Sugg Pkwy Greenville, NC 27834 Main Phone: 252-329-9500 Customer Care Phone: 252-329-9505

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