BPCC LAUNCHES "DISCOVER bpcc" SERIES: FREE MINI-LECTURES TO PROVIDE COLLEGE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES TO ANYONE, ANYWHERE

As the fastest growing community college in the nation, Bossier Parish Community College continues to push the innovation button. With the launch of "Discover bpcc," anyone anywhere can have access to the college classroom and get a sampling of real BPCC professors in action.

Begun as a coordinated effort between faculty and staff, led by English instructor Allison Martin and Blackboard administrator Gary Ware, Discover bpcc is another new and creative way to show the community what BPCC does every day.

"A major reason we're the fastest growing community college in the nation is because our faculty connect with their students," says Martin. "Now, the community can sample what our students experience everyday: great instructors doing what they do best."

Discover bpcc is a series of mini-lectures, varying in length anywhere from 2-14 minutes, on courses such as English, math, art, biology, business administration, and reading. The series is designed to offer the community a little taste of the college classroom experience--wherever they are. The mini-lectures can be viewed free of charge and with no obligation by clicking on the Discover bpcc web banner on the BPCC website at www.bpcc.edu or typing the url address www.bpcc.edu/discover.

Chancellor Jim Henderson called the initiative another piece of the access puzzle.

"We have thousands in this region who could benefit immensely from BPCC's education offerings," Henderson said. "Hopefully, this taste of our product will help some of the undecideds understand BPCC is an embracing institution and a smart investment."

Henderson lauded the efforts of Martin, BPCC Educational Technology Specialist Gary Ware, and the faculty who participated in the initiative.

"Discover bpcc is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of a world class team of faculty," Henderson said.

Martin was excited to have nine professors agree to participate in the initial launch of Discover bpcc.  "It's a true testament of the dedication these professors have to education," says Martin. "By volunteering their time and expertise, they are giving the community a sampling of what their students witness every day in hopes that someone will see that college just might be for them."

The video lectures are produced in cooperation with BPCC's Division of Education Technology, uploaded to YouTube and linked to the College's website.  Martin hopes to continue to add to the series with more topics and more professors.

Instructors participating in Discover bpcc mini-lecture series are

Rachel Basco, Science, Nursing and Allied Health

Becky Turbeville, Business

Dawn Young, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Kelly McDade, Fine Arts

Raymond Gaines, Business

Cammie Emory, Science, Nursing and Allied Health

Stacey Black, Mathematics

Yolanda Cooper, Reading

Cieltia Adams, English