For the eighth time in the past 17 years, Southwestern Community College has received significant national recognition.
SCC is one of ten finalists for the “Instructional Programs and Services” category of the annual Bellwether Award – a nationally recognized honor that focuses on cutting-edge, trendsetting programs worthy of replication.
The next step is for SCC representatives to make a presentation at the Bellwether Futures Assembly, which is scheduled for February in San Antonio, Texas. Presentations will be judged, and a Bellwether Award winner will be selected.
“An Innovative Partnership to Address Regional Workforce Needs” is the title of SCC’s presentation. It’s centered around the college’s Table Gaming School, a 10-week, 190-hour program that trains individuals for some of the highest-paying jobs in Western North Carolina.
The Table Gaming School is offered in collaboration with Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, which covers tuition expenses for – and provides guaranteed employment to – everyone who successfully completes the training.
Representing SCC and Harrah’s at the Bellwether Futures Assembly will be Dr. Don Tomas, SCC’s President; Scott Sutton, SCC’s Dean of Workforce Continuing Education; Dr. Barbara Putman, SCC’s soon-to-be Executive Vice President for Instruction & Student Services; Mitchell Balicki, Harrah’s Manager for Training-Table Games; and Rene Jimenez, Supervisor Training-Table Games.
“We are honored to have been selected as a category finalist for such a prestigious national award,” said Dr. Tomas. “Our partnership with Harrah’s is a tremendous success. Since 2013, we’ve trained nearly 3,000 individuals for fulfilling, well-paying jobs right here in our service area.”
For more information about Southwestern, visit www.SouthwesternCC.edu, call 828.339.4000 or drop by your nearest SCC location.
