Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Support



Career Services

For more information, visit https://wvctcs.emsicc.com/?radius=&region=State%20of%20West%20Virginia

Advising Center

The mission of the Advising Center of Pierpont Community & Technical College is to provide students with professional assistance in determining their academic path, taking into consideration their individual skills, interests, and aspirations. The Advising Center strives to help students design and implement their own realistic academic plans toward meeting their goals and serves as a link between students, faculty, and other campus services. The Advising Center is committed to using every advising encounter as a teaching opportunity so students may learn more about higher education and their role in it.

The primary goal of the Advising Center is to help students discern the academic major most appropriate for them and schedule their classes accordingly and to engage in “productive persistence,” following an academic plan that will enable them to earn a certificate or degree in a timely manner. The Center hosts group advising and course registration workshops, schedules individual appointments and provides advising services on a walk-in basis. Advising by phone and email is also encouraged for the student who finds such accommodations necessary.

The Advising Center also assists program faculty with academic advising for all Pierpont majors during traditional faculty breaks and helps students with completing academic plans in the cases of academic suspensions or suspension of financial aid. The Advising Center also helps connect students with the services they may need from other campus and community resources.

Contact Student Services for more information at (304) 367-4907.

Tutorial Services Center

Tutorial Services Program

Peer tutoring is available on a “drop-in” basis to all students through the Tutorial Services Center. All full-time and part-time students are entitled to free tutoring. Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for additional support services. Students are encouraged to request tutoring for extra academic support and especially if they are in danger of failing a class. Each semester, peer tutoring is available for most basic required courses and for a variety of other courses. The center has individual tutoring areas equipped with dry boards, desks, and computers. Students in good academic standing who would like to serve as paid “peer tutors” must complete an application, complete a tutor training practicum online course, complete other required training, and meet established criteria and standards to qualify as a tutor. The Peer Tutorial Services program is certified by the College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA). The Tutorial Services Center is located in room 207, Jaynes Hall. For information check the Peer Tutoring Schedule located on the Tutorial Services website page or contact the Director of Tutorial Services at (304) 333-3769.

Tutor.com

Tutor.com is an online tutoring service that is available to all currently enrolled students. To access Tutor.com, a student must log into Blackboard and select a course. Tutor.com is located under the “Tools” link. This 24/7 online tutoring service offers live help for a variety of subjects. 

Brainfuse

Brainfuse is an online tutoring service available free to all currently enrolled students. To access Brainfuse, a student must log into Blackboard and select a course. Brainfuse is located under the “Tools” link. Brainfuse offers 24/7 live help for math, writing and reading. It also offers help in a variety of other subjects.

Learning Strategies

To help students succeed in their academic pursuits, Pierpont provides help in time management, organization, note-taking, study skills, test-taking, and more.  Information and self-help videos can be found on Pierpont’s website at www.pierpont.edu - click Current Students at the top, then click Learning Strategies on the menu in blue on the left.  In-person help also is provided.  For more information or to make an appointment with a Learning Strategies counselor email learningstrategies@pierpont.edu, or call 304-534-7878, or stop by the Support Services office in 231-A Hardway Hall, Locust Avenue campus.  

Disability Services

Pierpont works closely with full- or part-time and dual-enrollment students to determine reasonable accommodations that will help students be successful in their schooling. Many students who were under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan during high school will qualify for services, as will many other students who might not have received specialized services during K-12. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office of Disability Services to discuss any disability that might interfere with the pursuit of their education and what type of documentation of the disability will be required to provide accommodations for the disability. Approved accommodations are determined on an individual basis.  An accommodation letter will be given to the student after the student completes an intake with Disability Services.  It is the student’s responsibility to provide her/his instructors with the accommodation letter as soon as possible and discuss the logistics of each accommodation with each instructor to arrange for the most feasible service provision.  Instructors are not required to allow any academic accommodations unless the student provides the instructor with a letter from the Office of Disability Services outlining the necessary accommodations. Students must provide their professors with a copy of their accommodation letter each semester in order to receive their accommodations.  For questions and appointments, contact Disability Services by email to access@pierpont.edu, by telephone (304) 534-7878, or in person at 231-A Hardway Hall (Locust Avenue Campus). Additional information may be found on the web www.pierpont.edu (click on Current Students on the top menu then click on Disability Services on the blue menu on the left).

Libraries

Library services are accessible to all students, faculty, and staff. Pierpont participates in the WV Community & Technical College’s online library services. Access is available through our online learning management system, Blackboard. An additional library is located at the National Aerospace Education Center (NAEC) at Bridgeport. These libraries function at the heart of the institution’s academic programs and support services that enhance the learning experience. The libraries’ print and electronic holdings are designed to support the curricular needs of the academic program of study offered at both institutions and to encourage intellectual and personal growth.

The libraries provide easy access to over 270,000 items including books, magazines, journals, newspapers, government documents, compact discs, videos, and other multimedia, and to over 170 electronic databases. Over 70,000 electronic books are available, full text and online, through the catalog. Subscriptions to over 50,000 journals, magazines, and newspapers are accessible through online databases. Over 250 print titles are also available.

If students and faculty need research materials that are not available in one of the libraries, the items may be requested through Interlibrary Loan, online through the Library Consortium. 

Textbook Information

The Bound for Success Bookstore is the official college bookstore for Pierpont Community & Technical College. Located on the second floor of the Falcon Center on the Locust Avenue campus, it carries textbooks, school supplies and a variety of merchandise such as study aids, general reading, and test prep books, clothing, gift items, bookstore gift cards, computer supplies and imprinted Pierpont items.

The bookstore stocks both new and used textbooks for purchase, along with digital format books when available. The bookstore also offers a textbook rental program for select titles. Please call the store or visit the website for more information.