Pensacola State College To Open Center In Former Carver/Century School

August 17, 2011

Pensacola State College will be opening a new center in a portion of the old Carver/Century K-8 School in Century.

The center will be opening this month with adult education and GED classes, with a variety of workforce education and college classes to be added by next year.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to serve North Escambia,” said Dr. Ed Meadows, PSC president. “We are very open in what we plan to offer and will work to engage the local community and meet local needs.”

The first workforce education programs to be offered will include cosmetology,  plumbing and a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, according to Dr. Jason Hurst, PSC vice president for workforce education. The PSC Century Center will also offer university transfer courses — those college basics like English, math and history — beginning in January.

“Our future offerings will driven by the community,” Hurst said. “We will look at the needs and interests and grow our programs

Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said he’s excited to see a portion of the old Century school leased to PSC because it will benefit the entire North Escambia area.

“It will mean more dual enrollment opportunities for Northview High School,” Thomas said. “I believe it could evolve into a community college for the entire north end.”

Northview students will be able to take PSC courses both on-site at Northview and at the Century Center, Hurst said. “For example, they will be able to take on English course at Northview and get both high school and college credit.”

Plans also call for online college course to be offered in the Century Center’s computer lab for those with no or inadequate internet service at their home.

“We will also partner with business and industry for training,” Meadows said. “We plan to help recruit business and provide the start-up training they need.”

There are currently about 2,100 Pensacola State College students from the North Escambia area, Hurst said, not counting students that live in Escambia County, Alabama. Many of those will be able to take university transfer courses at Century.

Meadows believes the Century location of PSC will also attract many students from nearby Alabama.’

“Pensacola State is very attractive to Alabama residents,” he said, “with the same tuition as Florida students plus a dollar fee per hour.”

For a complete details on the lease terms between the Escambia County School District and Pensacola State College, click here.

Pictured: The new Century Center of Pensacola State College will be located in the former middle school portion of  Carver/Century K-8 School, seen here in the background. Pictured top inset: The exterior of the building. Pictured bottom inset and below: The interior of the building as seen Tuesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “Pensacola State College To Open Center In Former Carver/Century School”

  1. sammie jo on August 19th, 2011 7:49 am

    This is a great opportunity for the people in our community. We need to take advantage of it…This may be the only opportunity that some citizens here have to get that much needed education. A good job may follow.???!!!! Knowledge is one thing no one can take away from you. Just like many other programs that have come to Century…….we must.use it or it will go away.!!This is our time. It could work into something great for Century and the surrounding area..

  2. melanie on August 18th, 2011 6:04 pm

    This is awesome…..i live n the area and im n need of this!

  3. jcellops on August 17th, 2011 8:32 pm

    yea!!!! great!

  4. 429SCJ on August 17th, 2011 7:19 pm

    I hope everyone not in possession of a diploma, participates in this program. A GED will improve their life, and the quality of life for everyone in the county.

  5. Phillip Ware-Ehlers on August 17th, 2011 4:32 pm

    This is great for the people of the rural area. Maybe they can offer some classes that will help people obtain jobs at the local prison located in Century, and other areas for Adults to take training for other jobs in the area. With unemployment being so high in our area, this would be a great place for new employees to obtain needed training to better their job searches.

  6. Casey on August 17th, 2011 10:58 am

    I’m so glad to hear that the old school will be put to great use. I hope that alot more classes will be offered for our children/ adults. This will be the greatest oppertunity for our children/ the future to take part in.

  7. Melanie Killam on August 17th, 2011 8:37 am

    Great! Finally, more equal dual-enrollment opportunites for Northview students and a great opportunity for our communities. So greatful to all who made this possible. I agree with “Educator”…please take advantage of this opportunity…we’ve learned the hard way that if you don’t use something, you lose it.

  8. Christal Bell on August 17th, 2011 8:25 am

    Wonderful news!!!!

  9. Carlienne on August 17th, 2011 6:54 am

    This is great! What a great way to motivate kids in Jay, Bratt, Century, Flomaton, Pollard – very, very impressive.

  10. Educator on August 17th, 2011 6:27 am

    Finally!!!!! A huge move in a positive direction! Now….in order to make sure that PSC keeps this opportunity available….you must take advantage of the opportunity! ENROLL!!!!

  11. Cheryl on August 17th, 2011 6:02 am

    This is great news!!

  12. Century resident on August 17th, 2011 1:50 am

    This is wonderful. I would like to take some classes to further my education and career in the nursing field

  13. =-) on August 17th, 2011 1:33 am

    This is fantastic!!!!!!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News