2007 SwVCC News

Cool Science: SwVCC Science Learning Community Graduates Reach for Success

Science Learning CommunityPictured are the 2007 graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College’s Science Learning Community (SLC), left to right: Shane Peck, Zane McReynolds, Traci Edwards, Benjamin Price, Blake Musick, and Marika Graziano.

All of the students graduating from the community completed the two-year science curriculum, graduating Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) with an Associate in Arts and Sciences degree. Any student interested in a career in science can join the SLC. For more information, contact Jason Osborne at 276.964.7309 or, Georgia Householder at 276.964.7397.
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After spending two years together that were filled with unique learning opportunities, cram sessions, and commiserating over application deadlines, the students in the close-knit group of Southwest Virginia Community College’s Science Learning Community (SLC) have graduated and are making plans for the future. All of the students graduating from the SLC completed the two-year science curriculum, graduating Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) with an Associate in Arts and Sciences degree with a major in Science.

The SLC is a group of students and faculty who work together to expand the college experience of science majors. The SLC enhances student learning through classes and extracurricular activities. It also gives members of the group access to resources to help them be successful in college.

All of the students that graduated in 2007 from the SLC have been accepted into universities for the fall. Traci Edwards and Marika Graziano were both accepted into the Physician Assistant Program at Mountain State University. Zane McReynolds was accepted into Virginia Tech where he will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. Blake Musick, Shane Peck, and Benjamin Price were all accepted into Pharmacy schools. Musick and Peck will attend the East Tennessee State University College of Pharmacy and Price will attend the University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy (UACP).

“I am very proud of this group of students,” said Georgia Householder, professor of biology. “Their hard work and dedication have paid off and they will go on to achieve their goals.”

Students in the SLC enroll in a two-hour orientation class in the fall semester and a one-hour orientation class in the spring semester as a group or cohort. The purpose of this grouping is to facilitate group learning activities, teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skill development. “Meeting new people is usually hard, but the Science Learning Community helped me meet other students who had the same interests as me. I got to know those students and felt comfortable going to them for help,” said Traci Edwards, SLC participant.

The SLC exposes students to career choices and broadens knowledge of what is available in science education through field trips, guest speakers, mentoring and job shadowing. “We had a speaker from the UACP come to talk with us about the application process. A pharmacy student also came to talk about her experiences,” commented SLC participant, Blake Musick. Students participated in tours of the UACP and ETSU campuses to visit faculty and staff.

The SLC also provides help to students intending to transfer. It is easy to get lost in the university application process. SLC faculty members are on-hand to help students through the process. Students can also take advantage of the many resources that the SLC offers such as the loan of laptop computers and calculators to group members.

Any SwVCC student interested in a career in science can join the SLC. For more information, contact Georgia Householder at 276.964.7397 or Jason Osborne at 276.964.7309.