After reviewing Johnston Community College website, I found the following demographic data.  The student body population is 4,216 of this population 66% is females and 34% is males.  What is so unique about the gender data is when you review the overall graduation rate. It shows that 33% of males graduated compared to 25% of the females. 

The age data that is reported in 2012 shows that 54% of the students were under the age of 24 years old and 46% is over 25 years old.

The student race/ethnicity showed that 65% of the student body was white and 21% is African American.  Then the next group was Latino which made up of 7% of the student body.

The Most Popular Major at JCC

24% Truck and Bus Driver, Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor

9% Foodservice Systems Administration/Management

9% Heating, Air Condition, and Refrigeration

8% Applied Horticulture

8% Office Management

7% Electrician

Interview

I contacted Carol Warren the Director Student Support Services who is in charge of the TRiO program.  Carol has been working at Johnston Community College (JCC) since 2005.  Her primary role is to administer and developing the student support services at JCC.  The mission is to focus on the strengths of students as they progress towards their goals.

So what is a TRiO program and what service do they provide the students?  The TRiO program is a federal funded program that provides a variety of specialty services to disadvantaged students that want to obtain a post-secondary education. To be eligible for the TRiO program at JCC a student must meet at least one of the criteria: be a first generation college student, high financial need to attend college, documented learning or physical disability.  In addition they must be enrolled in a two-year program at JCC.

I asked what services did JCC TRiO program offer the students and are they required to participate?  Carol said “they offer a variety of services; academic advising and personal support; free individual/ group tutoring, career planning, college transfers assistance; financial and information on scholarship, and community services opportunities”.  Carol explained that some things are mandatory, but they encourage all of the students to take advantage of all these great services.  An example of mandatory is that all must attend two workshops in the fall and two in the spring, see counselor once per semester, consult with TRiO counselor before dropping a class are just a few.

I asked carol what were the top three Universities that most of the students transfer to after graduation?  She said “NC State, Barton College and Campbell University”.  I want to know why these were the top three choices and she explains it was due to the location-close to home or job, and these university offers week-end and night classes. 

At the end of my interview I asked Carol if she had any specific goals for the student support service department.  She said she would like to achieve this year is; (1) An increase the number of students that transfer to a four-year university, (2) Increase the number who graduate with an Associate’s Degree, (3) That JCC is awarded the TRiO program next year. 

The reason I decided to interview Carol was due to our readings in the last couple of weeks.  I want to know if JCC had any programs available for students that have social economic constraints that would hold them back from attending JCC.  This is when I found out about the TRiO program.  I believe that this program is moving in a positive way in helping students meet their goal in obtaining postsecondary education.  After having the opportunity to talk with the Director, you can appreciate the dedication that the staff is making to ensure that all students have the resources need to achieve their individual goals.

I think what was amazing about this program, was the demographic profile. The funding for the TRiO program only serves 160 students.  Of these 160 students most of them are female and the age group is 18 to 76 years old.  I was just surprised to hear that a 76 year old was going back to school to get an Associate Degree.  This was just breathtaking to think that a 76 year individual could have the opportunity to fulfill their dream in graduating from a community college. 

I want to take this opportunity to say thanks to Carol Warren for this interview and to invite you and your students to University of North Carolina-Wilmington.