HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Encouraging those who have had to interrupt their college education to return to college is the goal of the North Carolina Reconnect program.
The program has motivated dozens of students to complete their studies at Haywood Community College (HCC).
This new initiative at HCC is designed to encourage students who have had to put their studies on hold to return to school, with over 50 students already enrolled this semester.
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“We have 51 freshmen who have connected with us through this program,” HCC President Shelley White said.
She said HCC is one of a handful of colleges participating in the NC Reconnect program, which has awarded them $125,000 to reach out to those who have had to interrupt their education and encourage them to return.
HCC used some of the funds to establish the Reconnect Center.
“The resource centre is designed to be a welcoming space especially for adult learners,” she said.
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It's a place that can ease anxiety and make the transition back to school a smoother experience.
HCC success coach Nick Cerda says the conversations in the room give returnees confidence.
“Once they start to make progress, we as coaches will help them with that process,” he said.
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It's a place where parents can bring their kids to help with the planning process, and where finding balance in life is understood, right down to grab-and-go meal kits.
“If you're an adult student going back to college, you have to provide for your family. It might take an hour and a half to cook something so you can get your homework done on time. There's nothing that needs to go in the fridge. You just put it in the fridge, put it in the oven and it's done. You've fed your family,” says Bridget Settlemeyer, HCC Success Coach.
White said NC Reconnect grants also help eliminate debt former students may have, and he cited the program as a key factor in the school's 10% to 12% increase in enrollment compared to last fall, despite enrollment declines due to the pandemic.
“We're approaching 2020 levels,” she said.
White said he also has several former workers from the Canton Paper Mill on the books.
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“Some of the students taking part in various programs on campus are former factory workers,” she said.
Adult learners with questions outside of class hours can contact HCC website In search of answers.