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Journal Spring 2013
Culinary Team Heads to Nationals Featuring:
Obama Praises A-B Tech Craft Beverage Institute College receives NSF Grant Starting Fermentation 2+2 with asu A-B Tech Named Model of Efficiency
VISION Locally Committed • Regionally Dynamic • World-Class Focused
MISSION
A-B Tech inspires, nurtures and empowers students and the community toward a better quality of life through progressive teaching, bold innovation and supportive collaboration.
VALUES A-B Tech’s core beliefs guide behaviors, decisions and interactions toward accomplishing the mission and achieving the vision. A-B Tech is dedicated to student and community success through:
EXCELLENCE LEARNING SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT INNOVATION INCLUSIVENESS CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
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Adopted by the A-B Tech Community College Board of Trustees February 6, 2012
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Volume 1 | Issue 3 | Spring 2013
Journal
Features 4
Culinary Team Heads to Nationals
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Starting Fermentation 2+2 with ASU
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Craft Beverage Institute to Meet Industry Needs
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Obama Praises A-B Tech
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New GED Test Coming
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Meet the Student Technology Champion
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A-B Tech Named National Model of Efficiency
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Graduate Finds Niche at Apple
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College Receives NSF Grant
Hire Education Journal is published by the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Office of Community Relations & Marketing. Publisher Dr. Hank Dunn Writer Martha Ball Designer Josh Weaver Photographers Margaret Hester Kyle Levitan Laura Sellers All rights reserved. No parts of the material printed may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without the permission of the publisher. 115,000 copies printed at a cost of .13 cents each.
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Board of Trustees Richard Hurley Chair Ray Spells Vice Chair Martha Shanks Board Secretary Tom Alexander Troy Ball Wayne Brigman Joe Brumit Mary Ruth Fowler William A. Hart, Jr. Don C. Locke, Ph.D Kaye A. Myers John Parham Jr., MD Carol Peterson Mandy Stone David Wyatt
Student Government Association President Lin Orndorf Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Equal Opportunity Educational Institution
s g n i t e Gre It brings me great pleasure to share the third issue of Hire Education Journal with you. A-B Tech has been garnering national attention lately, including high praise from President Barack Obama. He acknowledged the importance of partnerships between community colleges and industry during a speech given at Linamar in Arden, singling out A-B Tech for the role it plays in preparing tomorrow’s workforce. Our student culinary team is carrying on the tradition of excellence by winning the right to compete in national competition for the sixth time in a decade. Wish them luck as they travel to Las Vegas in July to vie for the College’s second national title. A part of our College since 1967, the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs have been a major supporter of the tourism industry in Western North Carolina by training the chefs and restaurant and hotel managers. This helps make our area popular for visitors from around the country who want to immerse themselves in the “foodtopian” culture. Building on the popularity of the food and drink industry in Asheville, A-B Tech has created the Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast to meet the training needs for brewers, distillers and wineries. We will offer classes to teach the technical art of craft beverages, as well as the business side of operations. We have also partnered with Appalachian State University as well to offer a 2+2 degree in Fermentation Sciences, where our graduates can transfer seamlessly from an associate’s degree into a bachelor’s degree program. On the technology front, student Wade Wilson was selected as the national Terry O’Banion Student Technology Champion and was honored in Dallas at the League for Innovation in the Community College conference. The system used by our Student Services division was recently honored by University Business magazine in its spring 2013 “Models of Efficiency” national recognition program. The Models of Efficiency program recognizes innovative approaches for streamlining higher education operations through technology and/or business process improvements. Also, our website received a silver award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations. Be sure to check it out at abtech.edu and see what opportunities are waiting for you.
Dr. Hank Dunn President
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A-B Tech Culinary team members are from left , Tim Nelson, Ashley Sweeney, Cassie Stockton, Rita Sigman, Kristin Allen and Josh Page.
Culinary Team Slices through Regionals Heads for National Competition The A-B Tech Community College Culinary student team won first place, earned a gold medal and advanced to national competition during Southeast regionals March 4 at the American Culinary Federation (ACF) competition in Louisville, Ky. “The tasting portion of the competition got lots of positive comments about all our dishes. The team
upheld the A-B Tech standard and represented us so well,” said team coach Chef Eric Backer. “The professional chefs there would come up and watch. The team has such great energy and attitude that the chefs want to be affiliated with this great group of students. As far as long-term relationships and careers go, it’s an excellent opportunity for them.” The competition requires student teams to demonstrate butchery and knife skills, prepare a cold food platter for eight and then create a four-course signature meal. A gold medal is awarded to a team scoring between 36 and 40 points, with 40 being a perfect score. A-B Tech’s team was given the only gold medal in the competition. Competitors are judged on such criteria as the flavor, taste, texture and doneness of their foods; serving methods; portion sizes and creativity. Floor judges also evaluate their organization, sanitation, teamwork, workflow, and cooking techniques and knife skills.
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“They were incredible. The floor critique was flawless with no points lost. It speaks highly of the caliber of the team. So many chefs are offering to help our team to go to the national level. They are reaching out to help the students. It’s amazing,” said Sheila Tillman, Associate Dean of Hospitality Education.
be eliminated to work with the space they were given. “Even with those challenges, they did really well,” Backer said. Students on the team are captain Rita Sigman, Ashley Sweeney, Tim Nelson, Josh Page and Cassie Stockton. Kristin Allen serves as team manager.
Backer said the whole weekend was a test of the team’s fortitude. “Every step of the way the students pushed it. Students will compete at the ACF’s National ConferThey started putting the cold platter together at 9 p.m. ence July 21-25 in Las Vegas. This will be the sixth time Friday and finished at 6 a.m. Saturday. They got a really in the past 10 years a team from A-B Tech has gone to positive critique for the platter,” he said. national competition, with one team winning in 2007. The students slept for about four hours and regrouped to head for the sponsor kitchen, where they found it had to be adapted and pieces of their routine had to
Interested in learning the Culinary Arts? Or perhaps one of the other many of programs of study A-B Tech offers? Registration for the summer and fall semesters begins April 22. For more information, visit abtech.edu or call 828-398-7520. 5
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Dr. Hank Dunn, Dr. Seth Cohen, Jane Rex and Melissa Quinley
Fermentation Agreement with ASU allows for seamless transfer A-B Tech Community College and Appalachian State University signed a 2+2 agreement for associate of science degree graduates to transfer to Appalachian for fermentation sciences. Officials believe the agreement marks the first time any U.S. community college and four-year university have partnered to offer a fermentation sciences degree. This is also Appalachian’s first 2+2 agreement with a North Carolina community college. Under the agreement, A-B Tech students who 6
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successfully earn an associate of science degree will be able to transfer to Appalachian to finish the last two years of their bachelor’s degree in fermentation sciences. The University will guarantee space availability for six A-B Tech students prior to fall enrollment. “Our students will take courses that not only satisfy the requirements for an associate of science degree, but will also fit the criteria Appalachian State wants to give students the appropriate background needed for their program,” said Dr. Jon Wiener, Associate Dean of Math and
Science at A-B Tech. “I see this as a great prototype for the kind of agreements we need in place to develop workforce needs and to assure timely graduation for transfer students,” said Mike Mayfield, Appalachian’s Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. The bachelor of science degree program in fermentation sciences was developed at Appalachian and was approved by the UNC General Administration in June 2012. The signing of the agreement follows the Nov. 28
announcement of A-B Tech’s new Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast, which will offer a twoyear degree beginning in fall 2013 in addition to continuing education and workforce development in the craft beverage industry. Hands-on training will be provided in a fermentation facility designed specifically for brewing, winemaking and distillation at the College’s Enka site. Together, the 2+2 agreement and the Institute will help meet the training needs of the region’s rapidlygrowing craft beverage industry. abtech.edu
Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast Formed at A-B Tech A-B Tech Community College recently announced the creation of The Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast, a premier education destination to meet the needs of the rapidly-growing craft beverage industry in the region. “The job of the community college is to find the local need and fill it. Each region has its own market niche,” said Dr. Hank Dunn, A-B Tech President. “Craft beverages are a big business in the area. We think it will be an incredible boon to the area and will grow exponentially.” The College plans to offer a two-year degree starting in fall 2013 in brewing, distillation and fermentation to teach the science and technical art of craft beverages. A large component of the process will require STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. There will also be a business track to address marketing, events and tasting room management to provide a comprehensive education to support the craft beverage industry. The growth of the craft beverage industry in Western North Carolina was led by the Biltmore Estate Winery, the world’s most visited winery. Now the region is welcoming the production facilities of New Belgium, Sierra Nevada and Oskar Blues breweries, joining Asheville’s own Highland Brewery and other microbreweries in the area. “Big things are happening here in North Carolina,” said Sheila Tillman, Associate Dean of Hospitality Education at 7
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A-B Tech. In addition to the Biltmore winery and the major craft brewers, Western North Carolina is also the home of three distilleries. “We are not the Northern California wine country. We are not St. Louis, known for its beer. We are not Kentucky, home of whiskey,” said Tillman. “We are finding ourselves in the situation of supporting a growing job force of not one part of the beverage industry, but we have three major industries simultaneously coming here.” In addition to a two-year degree, A-B Tech will offer continuing education and workforce development in the craft beverage industry through hands-on training in a fermentation facility designed specifically for brewing, winemaking and distillation at the College’s Enka site. Training will cover the multifaceted processes associated with craft beverages, including agriculture for hops and grape vines, marketing, sales and supplier organizations, restaurants and hotels and new business development. Scott Adams, Director of The Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast, said there are a few places to study beer in the area, but nothing as comprehensive that covers brewing, fermentation and distilling. “Our goal is to get people trained and in the jobs where they are needed,” he said.
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Obama puts A-B Tech in National Spotlight U.S. President Barack Obama touted A-B Tech Community College for providing relevant training to students during his stop at Linamar in Arden in February.
they can come and work at the plant and they’re getting experience that’s directly applicable to what’s being done here at the job,” he said.
Obama praised customized training partnership at the College. “A-B Tech and Linamar worked together to do something that is really smart. Rather than have kids just – or in some cases not kids, older workers – show up and they’re taking a bunch of classes but they don’t know how this is directly going to lead to a job, what you do is customize the class to train people so
A-B Tech started working with Linamar a few years ago to provide two types of training for the company, according to Shelley White, Senior Executive Director of Economic and Workforce Development/Continuing Education at A-B Tech.
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“We do open enrollment technical skills training such as machining, forklift operator and welding. Those classes help prepare students to gain employment with the company. Then we have customized training where we develop training solutions to meet their business needs,” she said.
the customized training, meaning the specialized training meets the needs of that particular industry. It was a highlight to the community college system and A-B Tech in particular on how well we are able to customize training to each individual business large or small,” she said.
“That’s good for the community. It’s good for Linamar, because they’re getting workers who they know can do the job. It’s good for the folks who are going to the community college, because they know if they work hard and they do well in the class there’s a job waiting for them. It’s good for the economy as a whole,” Obama said.
Obama singled out Linamar employee Jeff Brower who had been laid off as a diesel mechanic. “He went to A-B Technology, took a class in automated machining. A few months ago, Jeff got his diploma. He graduated on a Wednesday, interviewed at this plant on Thursday. By Friday, he was working as a machine operator,” he said.
Cindy Hamilton, Director of Economic and Workforce Development, was at Linamar with White when Obama spoke. “The part I love is how he highlighted
A-B Tech offers customized training and workforce development for all sizes of businesses. Training can be held either at the College or on-site of the business in computer skills, safety classes, leadership, customer service and industry-specific training. The intent is to support a larger variety of industries including healthcare, hospitality, government, manufacturing, general business and the burgeoning beer industry. A-B Tech is able to provide skills to businesses’ workforce to support them in their growth. For more information about customized training and workforce development, contact Hamilton at cynthiakhamilton@abtech. edu or 398-7923.
President Barack Obama greets employees at Linamar during a stop in February.
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New GED Test Coming
Meet Terry O’Banion Student Technology Champion
Wade Wilson
A new GED (General Education Development) test will begin in January 2014, so A-B Tech is encouraging anyone needing to earn their credentials to sign up and pass the tests before the end of 2013. The current version of the GED test will expire Dec. 31, 2013. Known as the 2002 Series GED test, will be replaced with the new 2014 GED test on Jan. 2, 2014. Those who have taken the 2002 Series GED test, but not passed all five parts, have until the end of 2013 to pass or they will need to start over again in 2014 with the new GED test in order to receive their high school credential. “The GED test opens doors to college, better jobs, the respect adults deserve, and the satisfaction of earning a high school credential,” said Karen Pauly, Director of the Basic Skills Program at A-B Tech. “So we want to be sure that everyone is aware of this deadline. If you know anyone needing to finish, tell him or her about this opportunity. Support is available, right here at A-B Tech. We can help adult learners get prepared to take the parts of the GED test they still need to pass.”
Wade Wilson, a Computer Information Technology student at A-B Tech, has been selected as the 2013 Terry O’Banion Student Technology Champion.
The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 18 million graduates since 1942. Last year nearly 800,000 adults sat for the GED test, which is accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and employers. As the creator of the official GED test, GED Testing Service has a responsibility to ensure that the program continues to be a reliable and valuable pathway to a better life for the millions of adults without a high school credential.
Before he came to A-B Tech, Wade worked in construction for nearly a decade. When his boss told him there was only two weeks of work left to do, he was unsure of his next step. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I’ve always been the family IT person and I considered it a hobby. The computer was more of a toy than a tool to me,” he said. “I realized every company has an IT department.”
For more information on GED testing, call 398-7132.
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The award honors two deserving students nationwide with special talent in technology, strong financial need, and a passion about moving toward a career in technology. The Terry O’Banion Award winners are designated as either Student Technology Champion or Student Developer Champion. Wade was honored at a conference in Dallas and received a $1,000 prize.
Wade enrolled at A-B Tech and met with Pam Silvers, Business Computer Technologies Chair, to begin his program. “I can’t say enough about the instructors at A-B Tech. I have never been turned away from an office. I have never had a problem where I couldn’t find some outlet for help,” he said.
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A-B Tech honored for being a “Model of Efficiency” A-B Tech Community College is one of seven colleges and universities nationwide being honored by University Business magazine in its spring 2013 “Models of Efficiency” national recognition program. The Models of Efficiency program recognizes innovative approaches for streamlining higher education operations through technology and/or business process improvements.
pus bookstore, where a loudspeaker system announces the number being served. If multiple advisors need to be seen, staff can transfer students from one service to another, slotting them according to their original arrival time. Additionally, information about the reason for each student’s visit can be forwarded ahead to the next advisor, prepping them before the student walks in the door. As of spring 2013 registration, the financial aid office saw an average of 110 students a day with a peak of 264 one day. The average wait time has been reduced from 21.5 minutes to 8.5 minutes. The personal attention and shorter wait times have helped to reduce student complaints and has saved A-B Tech about $40,000 a year.
“Slow, manual processes similar to A-B Tech’s former system are rampant today in student services departments in colleges across the nation,” said Tim Goral, editor in chief of University Business. “We applaud the school’s Student Services division for its efforts in turning that around, both for improving wait-time efficiency and for increasing student satisfaction.” To eliminate long wait times in student services departments such as admissions, advising, financial aid, and the registrar’s office, A-B Tech decided to follow the Department of Motor Vehicles model, where requests are centralized and each person is given a number, then is seated until their number appears on an LCD screen. Inspired by the efficiency and simplicity of the DMV waiting process, in 2008, A-B Tech’s Student Services Division bought a Q-Flow software package—a customer flow and queuing platform that helps manage wait times, from ACF Technologies. Now, after signing in at the kiosk and answering a few questions about the purpose of their visit, students receive printed directions with a call number and an approximate wait time. While waiting, students can work on nearby computers, visit the career center, or do some shopping in the cam11
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In addition to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, spring 2013 Models of Efficiency honorees include: Creighton University (Neb.); Johnson County Community College (Kan.); Loyola University Chicago (Ill.); Miami Dade College (Fla.), which was honored for two efforts; University of Wisconsin-Stout, also honored for two efforts; and Valdosta State University (Ga.). The program is sponsored by Higher One, a leading company that offers a wide array of technological services on campus, ranging from streamlining the institution’s performance analytics and financial aid refund processes to offering students innovative banking services, tuition payment plans, and the basics of financial management. Higher One works closely with colleges and universities to allocate resources more efficiently to provide a higher quality of service and education to students. “With each year we are involved with this award, I am impressed with the increasing efforts of higher ed institutions who take creative initiatives to streamlining their operations to generate both financial as well as service improvements for students,” said Miles Lasater, cofounder and COO of Higher One. “We are proud to stand with University Business to support and recognize the spring 2013 Models of Efficiency winners.” University Business is the leading publication for senior managers at colleges and universities throughout the United States, reaching 49,000 leaders who manage offices such as enrollment, technology, facilities, and academic affairs. More information is available at www.universitybusiness.com. abtech.edu
Graduate
finds niche
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at Apple abtech.edu
Jacob Haug was homeschooled when he enrolled at A-B Tech Community College to study Web Technologies as a dual-enrolled student. He pictured himself getting a degree and working for himself. He certainly didn’t imagine working for one of the most wellknown companies in the world. While at the College, he studied his passion and became a member of the award-winning Cyber Defense Team, handling the security of any web-based applications the team encountered, as well as the security for any Mac and Linux servers.
“I was a little intimidated at the prospect of moving across the country and working for such a large company. But my parents insisted that it was a big opportunity for me and that I should just go for it! They said that sometimes you have to take a ‘leap of faith,’” Jacob said. “I just didn’t anticipate that I would be leaping all the way to California. It’s kind of a family joke now. My mom says so much of my time was spent on the computer that she has barely noticed I’m not around. And since most of my friends were online, they sort of moved with me.”
Jacob said he was nervous about moving away from family and friends in North Carolina. “However, at the same time I was very excited for the opportunity to work at Apple, and to live in the Silicon Valley. I work for an amazing company with great pay and benefits. I go into work each day and get to have fun doing what I love. I love programming, and would be doing “After the sale of The Web it in my spare time for free anyway, Squeeze, I focused my time on anso to be able to get paid to do it, other startup of mine called Collithat’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask sion Hosting. But in April of 2011, me,” he said. I ended up selling that company as well. After that, I was looking for In June, Apple had their huge something else to do. A job offer Worldwide Developers Conference from Apple came along shortly af- in San Francisco. Tickets were ter, and was a complete surprise to $1,600 each and the conference me,” he said. sold out in less than 15 minutes. Jacob was lucky enough to be His knowledge and expertise able to attend. “Six months ago, I helped land him a software engiwouldn’t have even dreamed of goneer position in California. “I build ing, then suddenly I’m there,” he and maintain web-based applicasaid. tions and systems that are used to further the development of Apple A-B Tech was part of his success. products. I also maintain servers, “The instructors and the environlots and lots of servers,” Jacob said. ment made the biggest impact on me while I was there. A-B Tech’s Jacob was planning on working for himself as a freelance developer and did that for a while. In September 2010, a few months after earning his degree from A-B Tech, he sold his company, The Web Squeeze, a web design and development magazine with over 4.8 million readers.
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small class sizes allowed each student to get the one-on-one attention that I feel is imperative to effectively bettering your skills/ knowledge around a particular subject area,” Jacob said. “The instructors weren’t afraid to answer questions outside of the immediate subject matter of the course, which helped me learn even more. The instructors also allowed me to challenge myself.” Jacob remembers a few times when he felt his assigned project wasn’t enough to flex his cyber muscles. “I wanted a challenge. I wanted something that was hard. I brought this up, and I was allowed to do another project in a different direction than the rest of the class as long as I met the basic requirements of the original project. This allowed me to learn more than I would have otherwise,” he said.
Did you graduate from A-B Tech? Join the Alumni Association by visiting: www.abtech.edu/alumni
or share your story by emailing alumni@abtech.edu
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College Receives National Science Foundation Grant
to recruit women and engage students
The Programs being impacted are Computer A-B Tech Community College has received a $199,896 grant from the National Science Founda- Engineering Technology, Computer Information tion for a project titled Skilled Students Get Jobs: Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Information Systems Security, Mechanical EngiRecruiting Women and Engaging ALL Students. neering Technology, Networking Technology, and Sustainability Technology. More than 300 students are enrolled in the programs. “The project is the result of numerous conversations, meetings, and relationships with industry. Growth during the economic downturn has highlighted the need for more skilled workers and drives the project goal of increasing the number and diversity of skilled technicians,” Silvers said.
Summer/Fall Registration Open Now! The project is designed to improve technician training and increasing the number of highly skilled workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) priority areas, according to Business Computer Technologies Chair Pam Silvers, principal lead of the project. “The goals of the project are to increase the number of female students in certain programs and to implement the proven educational strategy of problem-based learning for all students,” she said. The project’s three components are recruiting female students, retaining these students by supporting gender equity strategies and providing relevance through problem-based learning to all students.
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Summer Classes start May 22 Fall Classes start Aug. 19
Register Early to get the Classes You Want!
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May 13.....................Last day of Spring semester 18.....................Spring Graduation 21.....................Last day to pay for Summer registration (before 5:00 p.m.)
22.....................5-week Minimester begins 22.....................Summer classes begin 25-27............Memorial Day Holiday (College Closed)
June 18.....................Last day to withdraw from 5-week sessions
27.....................5-week Minimester II begins
August
19.....................Classes Begin 19.....................4 Week Minimester Begins 19.....................8 Week Minimester Begins
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Main ......................................254-1921 Call Center............................398-7900 All numbers use the (828) area code. 15
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