East Panhandle Times

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College visited South Branch Career & Technical Center to present a check for $13,170 to their Certified Nursing Assistant Program (C.N.A.) students, Candace Kite, Therapeutic Services & Allied Health Sciences, Julie Colaw, Assistant Principal, and Shelly C. Crites, Administrative Director. These students have enrolled in South Branch CTC’s dual-enrollment program with Eastern to advance progress toward a career pathway in healthcare. The C.N.A. dual-enrollment allows student completers to increase their likelihood of acceptance into Eastern’s Nursing Program. Eastern has partnered with South Branch Career & Technical Center, Hampshire High School, and Tucker County High School on this dual-enrollment initiative. Dr. Tom Striplin, President of Eastern, and Dr. Megan Webb, Dean of Advancement & Continuing Education, presented the $13,170 check to strengthen the partnership and further the growth of South Branch CTC’s existing C.N.A Program.

Eastern received the Perkins Reserve Grant, which supports the projects of community and technical colleges that provide students with either dual-enrollment programs, work-based learning for skills needed in workforce areas, or industry-recognized credentials. “South Branch Career and Technical Center’s partnership opportunities with Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College have been growing over the last two years,” said Crites, “High school students attending SBCTC now have the opportunity to extend their education beyond high school with the addition of dual enrollment credit thanks to Eastern’s strong commitment to collaborate with our facility.  We appreciate this effort and students within our region benefit as a result”.

In response to the growing need for healthcare professionals with multiple skills, the C.N.A. Program is designed to give students a comprehensive suite of administrative and clinical skills. After completing the program, an aspiring healthcare professional would possess the necessary skills to perform multiple tasks in a complex and dynamic healthcare environment. In addition to acquiring multiple healthcare professional skills, students who complete this program would be eligible to sit for multiple National Healthcare Association certification exams. “This grant has afforded a wonderful opportunity to offer dual-enrollment for a much-needed area in health care. The partnership between South Branch CTC and Eastern exemplifies the importance of higher education with positive impacts on student outcomes and a bridge to post-secondary learning,” said Melissa Shockey, Workforce Program Director. 

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