The general public began registering online for next semester at 12:01 a.m. this morning. Students are highly encouraged to seek advising to be sure they are on course for graduation in the least amount of time possible. Pre-planning helps students ensure they are on the right track to reach their goals in the shortest, most economical timeframe possible. Students are also encouraged to take at least 15 credits each semester to earn associate’s degrees in two years and bachelor’s degrees in four.

Process Technology program takes to the field; receives national endorsement

Jeff Laube, assistant professor of process technology, recently took students from both the Kenai River Campus and the Anchorage Extension Site on a facility tour of the Agrium fertilizer plant in Nikiski.

As a former Agrium employee, Laube has intimate knowledge of the facility allowing him to provide a very meaningful experience for his students. There were 22 students that participated in the four hour tour.

KPC’s process technology program has received an important endorsement from the North American Process Technology Alliance. NAPTA endorses process technology programs in North America that meet the highest standards. The organization has endorsed 22 colleges across North American to teach Process Technology programs.

A representative from NAPTA traveled to KPC for an onsite audit of the program last spring. Laube indicated that the auditor was impressed by the amount and of theory and technical instruction in KPC’s process technology curriculum.

Industry comes courting KPC students

Alaska’s oil and gas industry has recognized that students who successfully complete the process technology and/or industrial process instrumentation associate of applied science degree programs are primed to enter the workforce ready to work.

It is getting more and more common for companies to come on campus to interact with students who are potential interns or entry-level employees.

Sandie Gilliland, KRC’s process technology program coordinator, recently arranged for Tabetha Toloff, Alyeska Pipeline human resources representative, to meet with KRC students at a recruitment luncheon. Toloff explained the application process and offered tips on resume preparation.

Alyeska Pipeline had a number of pipeline technician positions open and many of the students in attendance expressed interest in applying.

BP will also be providing an informational session for students later this month. JoAnna Tomuro, BP human resources representative, will also provide a resume workshop over pizza to KRC students in the Career and Technical Center commons.

Other companies that have come on campus to recruit KPC process technology/instrumentation students include ConocoPhillips, Shell, ExxonMobil and Apache.

Paramedic program receives funding for simulator

It was recently announced that KPC’s EMT/Paramedic program will receive funding from the Denali Commission in the amount of $18,870 for the purchase of a Pediatric High Fidelity Simulator (Sim Man Jr.).

According to Paul Perry, assistant professor of paramedicine, the new simulator rounds out the department’s cast of human simulators.

“We are fortunate to have these high fidelity simulation manikins. The new simulator will be used for certification in emergency pediatric care. It is anticipated that this equipment will also be used by the nursing program and other allied health programs,” Perry said.

Perry indicated that a new ambulance simulator will come online in mid-January. The simulator will augment the other simulation stations in the department, allowing students to run the gamut of the first responder experience of entering a home or business, treating simulated patients and then transporting them to the hospital emergency department.

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, Advancement Programs Manager at Kenai Peninsula College.