Academic Support

BioNetwork

Background: The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) established BioNetwork in 2004 to serve as the bioscience training component of Customized Training, and its services extend to all 58 community colleges.

The bioscience sector of North Carolina continues to flourish and demonstrate relative immunity to fluctuations in NC’s economy. Much of the sustainability and growth of the industry can be credited to the help of BioNetwork. Since the start of 2020, seventy-three (73) life sciences companies have announced plans to either locate or expand their operations in our state, creating nearly 11,200 new jobs and over $8.39 Billion in investment (NC Biotechnology Center Data).

BioNetwork has supported this growth through the provision of industry relevant, hands-on training at the industry site and in strategically located BioNetwork laboratories, including:

(1)  Food, Beverage and Natural Products Lab facility hosted by Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech); The BioNetwork staff in the Food, Beverage, and Natural Products industry sector provides relevant onsite and industry-site training and education through Customized Training, the Small Business Center Network and Continuing Education. The Natural Products Laboratory has become a national center for natural products innovation where researchers and entrepreneurs can find start-up information, educational programs, support coordination, mentoring, and referrals to launch their enterprise. BioNetwork also operates a Food Laboratory for quality testing of food products.

(2)  Biomanufacturing Lab facility, also known as the BioNetwork Capstone Center, is hosted by Wake Tech Community College (WTCC) located on located on NC State University’s (NCSU’s) Centennial Campus as part of the Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC); focuses on offering hands-on, short course training in biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical operations to incumbent workers, new hires, and community college students in a simulated cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) facility. The activities of the Capstone Center include providing biomanufacturing training through Customized Training and providing continuing education short courses, workshops, and seminars to industry, educators, and NC Community College students.

(3)  STEM Engagement and Outreach Services hosted by Pitt Community College (PCC); The activities at Pitt Community College (PCC) focus on developing and coordinating statewide Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) engagement and outreach activities. Educational engagement includes training community college faculty to understand and incorporate learning tools to advance the knowledge and skills of their students. This training helps students to successfully enter the biotechnology and life science workforce. In addition, these training activities help K-12 and community college students connect educational pathways to career goals, and presenting workshops/seminars helps educators and students understand the benefits and variety of careers in the life science sector.

(4)  Instructional Design and Development, hosted by Gaston College; The BioNetwork team hosted by Gaston College creates videos; interactive, electronic modules; and virtual learning objects that are utilized by the NC Community Colleges. The virtual media products are created in partnership with companies and consist of 3-D simulations of industrial processes, environments, and equipment; educational modules that incorporate video demonstrations, interactive simulations, and assessment tools; and virtual learning tools. This team is instrumental in the development of the Virtual Career Fairs, working with each of the community colleges and companies throughout the state to connect students with training and career opportunities. In addition, the BioNetwork staff at Gaston College maintains the web presence for BioNetwork.

College Outreach

The focus of the Pitt Community College Outreach Program is to identify educational and workforce development training needs throughout Pitt County and to refer potential students to services provided by the college. To achieve this goal, the Outreach Director will assess the needs of the diverse population in Pitt County. Along with other College personnel and agencies within the community, the College Outreach Program will refer students to the appropriate educational and workforce development options and support each individual.

College Outreach is a gateway for individuals to inquire about and take advantage of our College’s resources so they may determine how or where to begin.

There are several major components to the delivery of Outreach services:

• Personalized assistance with admissions and registration
• Counseling
• Mentoring
• Faculty and student progress checks
• Community-based volunteer program
• Effective media awareness campaign

Outreach Program Contact
Ernis Lee, Outreach Program Director
252-341-5696
ealee685@my.pittcc.edu

Library

The PCC Library supports the mission of the College by providing a vibrant and innovative environment designed to inspire academic excellence and promote lifelong learning.

The PCC Library, located in the Clifton W. Everett building, offers a curriculum-based collection which contains a wide variety of resources such as print books, electronic books, streaming video, children’s books, audiobooks, and a wide variety of electronic journal databases, as well as popular fiction titles. Electronic resources can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any location. When accessing these resources from off-campus, PCC users will be prompted to log in using their my.pittcc credentials.

The library offers a variety of services to students, faculty, and staff. These services include computer access, laptop checkout, research assistance, wireless internet, individual and group study rooms, printing, scanning, Library instruction, and outreach programming. InterLibrary loan services are also available to students, faculty, and staff needing print resources not owned by the library.

The library is open Monday through Thursday 7:45 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Friday 7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays and during PCC semester breaks. For more information about resources, services, and operating hours, please visit http://pittcc.edu/campus-life/library/.

PCC Global

The Office of PCC Global coordinates and manages international educational projects for faculty, staff, and students. It leads the internationalization and globalization efforts of the college. Supporting the global component of PCC’s mission statement, PCC Global seeks to identify and engage in opportunities to:

• Learn more about other regions of the world through cultural exchanges,
• Better communicate in global and cross-cultural environments
• Enhance values of respect and cooperation to become good global citizens
• Connect with the global economy.

For more information visit our website: https://pittcc.edu/academics/pcc-global/ or contact PCC Global Education Chair - Regina Garcia at rygarcia838@my.pittcc.edu.