Kenai Peninsula College continually reminds students to stay on track to graduate in the shortest time possible, saving both time and money, by tackling 15 credits each semester. In addition, the registration periods are regulated so that students closest to graduating get priority to ensure they secure seats in courses required for their program.

Veteran students were the first group of KPC students eligible for fall semester priority and they were able to register for classes last Friday.

This morning at 12:01 a.m., admitted, degree-seeking students with senior status had access to the registration platform. Each day for the remainder of this week, juniors, sophomores and freshmen in turn will gain access to register for fall classes. Students who are in pending, degree-seeking status can begin registering on April 13.

The public registration period opens at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 20 and everyone is reminded that registering early is important as KPC classes tend to fill rapidly.

New classes added to the fall line-up

KPC will offer CS A109: Python (CRN: 78756) for the first time in the upcoming fall semester. This online class will provide an opportunity to learn one of the most popular computer programming languages used in the computer industry today.

Python is an ideal language for both first time and experienced programmers interested in web design, database management, software development, game creation or any number of business applications.

According to the instructor, Isabelle Boutin, it is ranked in the top 10 programming languages to learn and is one of the most in-demand languages for programmers and developers today. For more information, contact iboutin@kpc.alaska.edu.

Another new class on the schedule for the fall is BIOL A124: Mycology (CRN: 79242). This three day, one credit, short course will teach students the basics of mushroom identification. The instructor will be Dr. Gary A. Laursen, the director of the High Latitude Mycological Research Institute and a senior research scientist from Fairbanks.

The course will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 in room 107 at KRC for classroom instruction about local mushrooms, and again from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13 for a set of field trips.

Opportunity to save lives by donated blood

Blood donation is the only way to replenish Alaska’s blood supply and it’s important for people to remember that each donation can potentially save three lives. The public is asked to participate in the blood drive that will be held from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. on April 16 in the LifeMobile (parked in the KRC Residence Hall parking lot).

Blood donors are given a health screening and asked a series of questions to establish eligibility to safely donate. Donors should drink plenty of fluids and eat well prior to donation.

Donors must schedule an appointment and must present photo identification prior to their donation. Appointments can be made by calling Leslie Byrd at 262-0253 or emailing lbyrd4@kpc.alaska.edu.

KPC recruiting students in western Alaska

Sandie Gilliland, KPC Process Technology coordinator, along with Martha Pec from the Alaska Process Industry Career Consortium, traveled to Naknek and Dillingham for two career fairs at the local schools. They highlighted KPC’s process technology and industrial process instrumentation programs as well as KPC’s campus facilities and residence hall.

They brought a mobile process simulator module to generate interest at the booth. “I handed out a lot of PRT and IPI program brochures and KPC swag to the students that attended. Overall, this was a great way to do some recruiting in rural Alaska and highlight careers in Alaska’s process industries,” said Gilliland.

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