PCC Seeks Comments On 4-Year Degree Plan

WINTER HAVEN | Polk Community College has surveys under way to learn how Polk residents feel about its desire to expand into four-year degrees, starting with a bachelor of applied science in management and supervision.

That bachelor's degree, building on PCC's existing two-year management and public-safety programs, would have three areas of specialization: business administration, public (government) administration and public safety administration.

"It's an immediate need," said Peter Usinger, PCC's director of institutional research, effectiveness and planning, explaining that a previous business survey showed a need for more management-trained employees.

As part of the state approval process, however, PCC needs more input from employers, other business leaders, employees and other residents.

"Because the main objective of the four-year degree program is to enhance the skills of Polk County's labor force, we encourage employers and employees to help us determine its scope and content by going to our Web site at www.polk.edu and completing the appropriate online survey," PCC President Eileen Holden said. "The information gathered from these surveys will be invaluable as we work to expand the educational services offered."

Online surveys can be done through July 31. Employers and business leaders can offer their opinions by clicking on the "Business Survey" link at the bottom. Employees and others can give their views by completing the "Community and Employee Survey."

But you don't need to go online to fill out a survey. Survey forms have been mailed to many Polk businesses, Usinger said. Anyone who wants one can call him at 297-1009.

"The responses to the employer and employee surveys will play a significant role in the direction we take as PCC moves to the next level by offering four-year degrees," he said.

PCC officials will compile the survey results and combine them with other information, such as letters of support from local chambers of commerce, to meet a Sept. 1 deadline for sending them to state officials. If things proceed as they hope, classes would start in fall 2010. PCC also is studying the potential for other four-year degrees, including nursing and education.

[ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. ]