Haywood Community College Plans for Traditional Operations for Fall Semester
Haywood Community College is making plans for traditional operations this fall semester, offering unique hands-on opportunities for many programs. These offerings are critical in providing students with valuable experience in the classroom and the field while completing their studies.
One of the most distinctive programs for offering students this one-of-a-kind training is Natural Resources. These students in Forest Management and Fish and Wildlife Management spend time in the field connecting with professionals and learning what it is like to work in this career field on a daily basis.
“Over the past year, the natural resources faculty did an excellent job of meeting their class labs in-person within the required safety protocols, but it did limit our ability to travel and provide students with the extracurricular opportunities that really make us shine,” explains Matt Heimburg, HCC Dean of Arts, Sciences and Natural Resources. “For this fall, our fish and wildlife faculty are preparing for extended field trips that provide the experiential learning opportunities which are the hallmark of our natural resources programs. Our Forestry faculty are also looking forward to getting their students back into the over 400 acres of forest land donated to HCC over the years.”
Plans are already underway for students to attend professional conferences, as well as to join Western Carolina University to host the Southeastern Wildlife Conclave in the spring of 2022. The HCC Lumberjack team, Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and Society of American Foresters will also all be meeting in person for practices and to prepare to host the annual John G. Palmer Intercollegiate Woodsmen’s Meet in October at the Cradle of Forestry on Forest Festival Day.
According to Heimburg, “The hands-on approach to education is what has consistently made HCC’s natural resources programs so valuable to our students and their future employers. We’re all thrilled to get back at it!”
Students and faculty alike are excited to get back into the classroom this fall for a more traditional learning experience in all academic areas. The College will continue to offer online courses and a combination of hybrid offerings for certain programs. In programs where hands-on learning is key, such as Computer-Integrated Machining Technology and Cosmetology, a full return to the classroom is much anticipated.
HCC will continue to work closely with state and federal regulations to provide a safe learning environment and will offer multiple learning formats, where possible. Registration for fall semester is underway and financial assistance is available. For more information about HCC programs or registration information, email hcc-advising@haywood.edu, call 828-627-2821 or visit www.haywood.edu.