SwVCC

2007 SwVCC News

SwVCC Science Learning Community Launches New Pharmacy Students

Four Southwest Virginia Community College students were recently accepted into regional schools of pharmacy. Benjamin Price and Whitney Burks were accepted into the University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy (UACP). Blake Musick and Shane Peck will be attending the East Tennessee State University College of Pharmacy.

SwVCC students Whitney Burks (right) and Benjamin Price (left) were accepted into the fall 2007 class of the University of Appalachia College of Pharmacy (UACP). Burks is the daughter of James and Tamara Burks of Rosedale. Price is the son of Chuck and Brenda Price of Abingdon. SwVCC students, Blake Musick (left) and Shane Peck (right), will be attending the East Tennessee State University College of Pharmacy this coming fall. Musick is the son of Philip and Sharon Musick of Lebanon. Peck is the son of Bobby and Mae Peck of Cedar Bluff.

Three of the four students were involved in SwVCC’s Science Learning Community (SLC). The SLC is a group of students and faculty that 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.

Students in the SLC enroll in two classes each semester as a group or cohort. The purpose of this grouping is to facilitate group learning activities, teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skill development. “Being in a group of students who are going through the same things I was—classes, studying, college applications was helpful in keeping me on track,” said Shane Peck.

According to Frank Horton, dean of the math, science, and health technologies division, participation in the SLC is very important for future academic success. “In the SLC, students learn skills that they can take with them when they transfer. They learn cooperative skills and teamwork, which are crucial as pharmacists are vital members of the healthcare team. The learning community also helps to broaden students’ perspective.”

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. Also a pharmacy student came to talk about her experiences,” commented student Blake Musick. Students were also taken to the UACP campus to visit faculty and staff.

“What we try to do is give students a broad view of what’s available as far as science careers during their first year,” said Horton. Exposing students to career options early helps students make an informed decision about what path to pursue.

The SLC also encourages relationships between students and faculty. “The SLC faculty plays a huge role in supporting and encouraging students. The community is very personal,” said Horton.

Students agree that the personal attention they received from SLC faculty was very important. “The SLC helped me to meet people at the college. When I had a question I had someone to ask that had been in my situation,” said Musick. Peck agrees, “The SLC allowed me to get to know the professors better so that I felt comfortable talking with them.”

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

“The interaction with faculty and support from other students, as well as the extracurricular activities helped to solidify these students’ decisions to pursue pharmacy as a career,” stated Horton.

Any student interested in a career in science can join the SLC. For more information, contact Jason Osborne at 276.964.7309 or, Teresa Richardson at 276.964.7341.