UNCW, BCC expand services for students at Leland campus

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — UNCW and Brunswick Community College’s partnership is stronger. The schools announced they are providing a more convenient degree plan for students in their extension program. This extended collaboration means more options for students. New classes and resources will mean students lives will be bit easier as they work their way to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

The life of a students is not always easy. Besides the course work, many students have to deal with a long commute, something Jaime Griffith is all to familiar with. The Brunswick County resident started at BCC, but is now a UNCW student who commutes to class.

“It cuts down on my homework time, my study time and by the time I get home,” Griffith said. “The classes themselves are not so hard, but when you’re sitting in a car an hour and a half one way and an hour and a half back, it’s a lot of driving, and it wears on you.”

BCC and UNCW are now helping their students with this problem. Monday the schools announced the expansion of several degree programs. The institutions are offering more courses and increasing technology at the BCC Leland Center.

“I live here in Leland, so this will be great,” said Andrea Gardner, who is working on her master’s in education. “I have been going to Brunswick Community College for the distance learning classes, which is in Supply, so it would actually be much closer for me to come here, and I just found out that my spring classes will be here, so I’m excited. I’m suppose to finish up in July, and I think it’s a tremendous thing they’re doing for people and their education.”

As school leaders celebrate the expansion, these students are taking it all in, smiling and laughing knowing their lives as students just got more enjoyable.

One unique tool that will be used in the classrooms at the Leland Center will be satellite conferencing. One instructor will be able to teach students in Jacksonville, Leland and Wilmington all at the same time.