Hudson Valley Community College is planning to hold most classes remotely this fall as part of precautions against Covid-19.
The college is planning to offer the hands-on lab and clinical components of certain classes in person if possible, according to Dennis Kennedy, executive director of communications and marketing for HVCC. Plans aren't set yet for the spring 2021 term.
HVCC transitioned more than 400 spring semester courses online over the course of two weeks near the start of the pandemic.
That’s continued for the summer semester, with nearly 500 summer courses offered online. Enrollment for classes this semester jumped by 12% compared to last year.
"We're thinking that that trend may continue into the fall semester at Hudson Valley,” Kennedy said.
With an increased unemployment rate due to the Covid-19 pandemic, HVCC's workforce development programs are seeing increased interest from traditional- and nontraditional-age students, Kennedy said.
In response, the college in June and July is rolling out fast-track workforce development programming for people looking to increase their skill sets during this time. The new courses, which can be completed in less than 90 days, include instruction for business and bookkeeping, certified pharmacy technician, medical administrative assistant, security guard, Microsoft Office training and more.
“One of the messages we're trying to get out there to our students and prospective students is you don't have to put your education on hold,” Kennedy said. “Our workforce needs well-trained talent coming out of college.”
Many four-year colleges and universities are currently working through what the fall semester might look like and how they can bring students back on campus. HVCC is encouraging students to consider, or reconsider, the college as a viable educational option in light of that uncertainty, said Louis Coplin, vice president of student affairs.
The college is running a marketing campaign throughout the region specifically targeting students living locally but virtually attending a college outside of the region.
Besides the much lower cost to attend a community college versus a four-year university, Coplin believes the educational quality is comparable, especially now that most institutions will have some form of online instruction.
"Many of those course descriptions that we offer are identical to many of our four-year colleagues," Coplin said.
Students can transfer many HVCC course credits to four-year institutions. It has 250 formal transfer agreements with other institutions.
Historically, students have been able to apply to HVCC in person and be accepted instantly, Coplin said. This year, HVCC is hosting two virtual instant admission day events in June and July, as well as virtual individual counseling sessions.
Coplin added that the online transition for HVCC has been relatively painless. Since Roger Ramsammy began his role as HVCC president nearly two years ago, he's been pushing to enhance the college’s online instruction, Coplin said.
"It has not been a complicated transition because it's been part of the conversation since day one,” Coplin said.