CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – John Tyler Community College needs your help. The College, in its ongoing commitment to meet the workforce needs of the community, is considering launching two new programs – one in cyber security and one in paramedic care. In order to begin new programs, approval must occur at local and state levels, and documented evidence highlighting student and employer demand within the John Tyler service region must be provided. To do this, the College is asking the community to participate in two brief surveys. The information gathered from these surveys will help John Tyler Community College determine whether to go forward with plans to start these new programs.
Cyber Security Program
John Tyler Community College is examining the need to offer cyber security as a certificate and/or an associate degree program. The College currently offers several certificates and degrees in information technology fields; however, national and regional data show the need for a specific program, or programs, in cyber security. The field of information technology is constantly changing, but not all of the changes are positive. Reports of hackings and data thefts raise concerns about the security of the information shared electronically by individuals, businesses and governments. Dr. Mark Cohen, professor and chair of JTCC’s Department of Information Technology, says it is because of these concerns that JTCC’s IT Advisory Board has strongly recommended the College start a cyber security program. “A program like this should allow our students to remain competitive in the job market while at the same time opening up new doors to additional jobs in cyber security and possibly forensics,” says Dr. Cohen.
To participate in the cyber security program needs survey, go to www.jtcc.edu/programsurvey no later than March 1, 2014. If you have questions about the proposed cyber security program or other information technology programs at John Tyler, contact Dr. Cohen at mcohen@jtcc.edu.
Paramedic Program
John Tyler Community College also is examining the need to offer a paramedic associate degree program. The College currently offers a certificate in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at the Intermediate level; however, national and regional data show the need to add a paramedic associate degree. According to Daniel Linkins, assistant professor and chair of JTCC’s Department of Emergency Medical Services, although Virginia has decided to continue the Intermediate certification, changes in the National EMS Education Standards have eliminated Intermediate from the national curriculum. “We seek to serve our community by producing high-quality, field-ready providers at the highest certification level obtainable, while still offering students the option to progress in their careers incrementally through the EMT, Advanced EMT, Intermediate EMT, and Paramedic levels,” says Linkins. “The development of a paramedic program will offer paramedics a college degree, with a transfer option to earn a bachelor’s degree for possible management positions.” Linkins says students who obtain national certification (no longer available at the Intermediate level) will have the ability to work in Virginia or transfer to other states, an option that is particularly important for military veterans and their families, who may be moved to different locations around the country.
To participate in the paramedic program needs survey, go to www.jtcc.edu/programsurvey no later than March 1, 2014. If you have questions about the proposed paramedic program or JTCC’s current EMS program, contact Daniel Linkins at dlinkins@jtcc.edu.
Results from these two surveys will help John Tyler Community College determine the need for cyber security and paramedic programs. If evidence is sufficient and program proposals are approved, JTCC hopes to begin offering courses for both of these programs during the 2014-2015 academic year.
John Tyler Community College is a two-year, public institution of higher education and is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers quality and economical opportunities for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served more than 14,000 students during the 2012-13 academic year, offers 17 associate degrees, seven certificates, and 34 career studies certificates. The institution also serves 15,000 non-credit students and more than 1,200 companies and government agencies annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance. The College also is committed to sustainability. In July 2010, it received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification for Hamel Hall on its Midlothian Campus, becoming the first in the Virginia Community College System to receive such recognition. John Tyler Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.