Outlook 2021 • 7 According to Sizemore, many of his former students go on to well-paying government jobs at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, others are hired through the partnership program at Manns Harbor or the apprentice program with the shipyard in Wanchese. Bagwell strives to keep the program offerings in line with community needs and the success of his students upon graduation to find well-paying jobs in their field. The college offers over 50 programs of study. Some offer associate degrees, some certificates and others a diploma. Recently, the college’s Associate Degree Nursing program was selected by RegisteredNursing.com as number one in the state out of 82 North Carolina schools. For Bagwell, though he is proud of the ranking, this is nothing new. “We have had an excellent nursing program for 50 years. Today’s program stands on the shoulders of the program of yesterday,” h e
Courtesy COA
The library at the COA Dare campus. said. Bagwell credits the staff: “We have a cando faculty. They love the students, they love the community, and they love what they do.” Over six decades, COA has seen a lot of changes. It was the first comprehensive community college in the state and the North Carolina Community College system is currently the third largest in the country. There’s a lot of community support for the
Summer Stevens photo
Student Elizabeth Kays makes a copper bracelet out of forged copper.
college, be it through fundraising or general good will. “It never fails, at least weekly, if I’m wearing my COA lapel pin or lanyard around my neck, that someone will stop me to speak well of the college,” Bagwell recounts. While the geographic vastness can make it a challenging area to serve, “I couldn’t be prouder to be associated with the staff, the students and the community,” he said.
Summer Stevens photo
Ongoing construction work at the new COA Dare campus.
Courtesy COA
Bottom: Groundbreaking at the new COA Dare campus
