Moguel Nan Fairley Feature Writing 04/14/2010
Small Town Education Making Big Time Impacts “Southern Union State Community College develops its Valley, Ala., campus, providing more opportunities for its wide range of students.�
By: Maegan Moguel
1
Two students sit outside in the small, quiet break area at Southern Union State Community College in Valley, Ala., surrounded by no more than 10 other students to discuss an upcoming test. Each of these ladies travels approximately 30 miles to the Greater Valley area Monday through Friday to pursue a higher education. This campus is bringing them one step closer to their goal of becoming teachers of the next generation. From the early 1970’s, Southern Union in Valley, 321 Fobs James Drive, has been preparing adults like Wendy Folds, Lagrange, Ga., and Christi Sutton, Auburn. “This small campus allows you to get your feet wet before you enter a college where you may feel like a dot on a map,” Folds explains. Folds, an elementary education major, heard about the “quiet and close knit” campus in high school. Sutton, an early childhood education major, decided last year to start her education in Valley because of the small classes available. “My favorite part of Southern Union is the one on one time the teachers are able to offer,” Sutton says. Folds, mother of two, credits the staff as a part of the reason she stayed at Southern Union. “Your instructor knows who you, your learning style and your struggles,” Folds says. “They are very helpful and remember you and your situation.” “The teachers are more than willing to stay late and give you assistance,” Sutton says.
2
Although the Southern Union Valley campus is only one building right now, the hammers are currently pounding during its expansion stage. Robin Brown, director of the Valley campus, is working to show off Southern Union and all its benefits to the Great Valley area. “It is small, but we have room to grow,” Brown says. The college is working to fill more than 30 acres of undeveloped land. On September 1, a new building will open with classes for the technical programs. “With all that land left, we hope to expand with several others programs, including nursing, in the next year,” Brown says. Although the construction is a little distracting to Folds, overall, she says she thinks the expansion is great. Approximately 325 students are currently enrolled, including those who are in dual enrollment and accelerated high school enrollment. “The diverse population in ages is amazing,” Brown says. The range of ages varies from 16 years to 65 years. Recently, laid-off workers from local factories and workshops are coming to Southern Union to get the training they need for other fields of work. The new technical building will begin to meet the demands of these students. As Folds plans to transfer to the University of West Georgia and Sutton to Auburn University in a year, the valuable preparation and education gained in Valley will be instilled in them forever. “The small atmosphere allowed for better grades and less stress,” Folds says.
3
According to Folds, she and Sutton “are not just a number� on the campus of Southern Union. The small institution is making big impacts in the lives of many like Folds and Sutton. For more information on the Southern Union State Community College in Valley, contact Robin Brown at (334) 756-5204 or go to www.suscc.edu.
-30-
4
Source Page Wendy Folds, 29, Elementary Education Lagrange, Ga. nenemommy@aol.com Christi Sutton Early Childhood Education Auburn, Ala. Sscsesses@yahoo.com Robin Brown Director of Valley Southern Union 334-756-5204 rbrown@suscc.edu
5