OWASSO - Several Tulsa Community College staff members got a look at their new workplace when they toured TCC's Owasso campus.
The more than 25,000-square-foot space is part of Tulsa Technology Center's new 256,000-square-foot campus and conference center at 10800 N. 140th East Ave.
"How often do you get to start a new campus? It's super exciting," said Paula Willyard, dean of community campuses for TCC. "It is fun to be the first. I just love it."
TCC will offer three associate degree programs at the Owasso campus including nursing advanced placement for those who are already emergency medical technicians or licensed practical nurses, as well as diagnostic medical sonography and cardiovascular technology.
The nursing advanced placement and sonography programs start when the fall semester begins Monday, and the cardiovascular program will start in fall 2014.
Aimee Francois, sonography program director, said this new program will raise the education level of the students.
"They're going to be proficient so they're marketable in their field," said Francois, who is thrilled with the state-of-the art equipment, simulators and lab space her students will use. "It's been nice to get what we need instead of having to retrofit a space."
Since starting at TCC almost 20 years ago, Willyard said the health-care programs have remained one of the strongest areas for the college.
"You can find yourself a job. Not just a job but a career," she said, and demand from the health-care industry remains high. "They are definitely looking at our students. They want our students."
In addition to the health labs and classrooms, the campus will have classroom space for general education classes, which TCC has offered in Owasso for at least two decades, said Nicole Burgin, TCC spokeswoman.
"We've had a strong presence, but it was always at a (Owasso) public school setting and at night. But we were limited. We've offered English (composition) and literature, but we couldn't offer those science lab options," Burgin said.
At the new campus, the science classes can be offered in addition to student services such as college and career advisement, class registration and placement testing, Will yard said.
"That's big. That's something that hasn't been there before," she said.
The new space means reaching more students in not just Owasso, but also Skiatook, Collinsville, even Claremore, she said. "Education is such an infusion of opportunity to a community."
With less than a week to go until classes start, the staff still has a lot of computers to set up, telephones to hook up and technology to install.
"It will be an adventure," said Willyard, who guarantees the campus will be up and running by Monday. "This has been edge-of-your-seat exciting."
Sara Plummer 918-581-8465
sara.plummer@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: TCC readies new campus in Owasso
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