Cape community college to host open house

The area's newest community college center is ready to accept, enroll and orient students en masse.

Wednesday, the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education announced open-house events to acquaint students with what it offers.

The events will be at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center from 1 to 7 p.m. June 17 and July 12. Students can submit an application, take placement tests and enroll during the open houses.

"It's meant to be a one-stop experience," said Dr. Randy Shaw, assistant provost of extended learning. Students can also make other appointments to meet with the adviser, he said.

The Partnership's full slate of courses, more than 40, will be offered in the fall when classes begin Aug. 23. The center is open enrollment, meaning there are no requirements to attend. To enroll, students must take a placement test or provide ACT or SAT scores.

Staff from Southeast Missouri State University, Three Rivers Community College and Mineral Area College have been preparing for months for the onslaught of students.

"We expect very good interest," Shaw said. Staff from departments like financial aid, admissions and marketing have been collaborating to align practices.

The Partnership is the result of a local coalition's efforts to increase higher education in Cape Girardeau County. The group, made up of business and education leaders, funded a study and submitted a plan to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.

The Partnership recently announced a 16-member advisory committee, which includes school administrators, business leaders and city representatives, to help direct the project.

The Partnership's service area will cover the residents of 11 school districts in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Scott and Stoddard counties. The service area matches that of the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, where the partnership will be located. School districts within the service area include Advance, Cape Girardeau, Chaffee, Delta, Jackson, Kelso, Leopold, Oak Ridge, Scott City, Kelly and Woodland.

Incidental fees for students within the service region will be $124 per credit hour. Fees for students outside the service region will be $151 per credit hour.

For more information, call 332-1516 or visit www.semo.edu/cgphe.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO