Dec 02, 2024  
Fall 2023 Academic Catalog 
    
Fall 2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Engagement


Advising System

Bookstore

Career Services

Clubs, Honorees and Social Organizations

Counseling Services

Disability Services

Laboratory Preschool

Libraries

Office of Academy for Teaching Excellence, Assessment and Inclusion

Office of Student Success and Completion

Student Activities

Student Government

Student Health Services

Textbook Information

Tutorial Services Center


Annual Notification: All career and technical education courses and programs are offered at Pierpont regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, or disability.

Learning takes place in many ways beyond the classroom experience. Pierpont Community & Technical College encourages students to take advantage of the wide variety of academic, cultural, and social opportunities that are offered. For example, new students are offered a “Welcome Weekend”, Registration Days, and Online Orientation experience, specifically designed to orient new students to college life in general. The goal of Welcome Weekend, Registration Days, and Online Orientation is to help students navigate concerns or issues that may arise while also letting them to become familiar with the campus environment and the support services offered by the college. Additional support services are listed below.

Advising System

Students are assigned academic advisors shortly after enrollment at Pierpont Community and Technical College.  Students who are not ready to select a major upon entrance will be assigned the major “Liberal Studies” and will be given an advisor for career counseling purposes. Students wanting to change their major must fill out a change of major form.  Students will then be referred to their major departments to have a new advisor assigned. Students should discuss problems relating to degree requirements, pre-registration, registration, and withdrawals from class or college with their advisors and/or with Student Services. (See below)

Bookstore

The Bound for Success Bookstore carries all textbooks and school supplies needed. Other items available include diploma frames, flash drives, graduation supplies, decorative frames, general reading books, reference and test prep books, blankets, blank note cards, school spirit items, plush animals, dorm room supplies, and much more. Computers and computer software at educational discounts are available www.efollett.com/software. Students may charge their textbooks and supplies to their student account and may also order textbooks, clothing, and supplies online through our website.  Please visit www.pierpont.edu, click on ‘Current Students’ and then ‘Bookstore’ for additional information.

Career Services

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

Clubs, Honorees and Social Organizations

Raven Thomas
Student Involvement Coordinator
304-534-7864

Organized clubs and honorary organizations for the promotion of interests in various academic fields, the recognition of outstanding achievement in various campus activities, and for general social purposes are available for student participation. A list of currently active organizations can be found online. Students wishing to organize a new club or organization are highly encouraged to do so and should speak with the Student Involvement Coordinator. 

Pierpont Community & Technical College organizations and groups must follow the procedures and guidelines as detailed in the Pierpont student organization handbook.  This can be obtained by contacting the Student Involvement Coordinator at 304-534-7864 or rthomas9@pierpont.edu.

Counseling Services

The Counseling Center serves full-time and part-time students and provides professional assistance to students experiencing a variety of personal and social problems. Costs are covered through tuition and fees. The staff consists of professionals trained in clinical practice and counseling. Students come to the Center for a variety of reasons, and it has shown to be very beneficial to speak to someone if you are distressed or life is not working out the way you had planned. Some common concerns may include: adjusting to college life, transitioning in or out of college, stress, family problems, feeling sad or depressed, feeling anxious or overwhelmed, problems with drug or alcohol use, identity issues (sexuality, gender, race, religion, disability), or concerns about sexual assault. Benefits of counseling include increased self-awareness, maximizing potential, and making the college experience more productive and meaningful. Contacts with the Counseling Services are held in strict confidence. Appointments may be made by emailing access@pierpont.edu, by telephone (304) 534-7878, or in person at room 224 (Advanced Technology Center). Additional information may be found on the web at www.pierpont.edu (click on Current Students on the top menu, then click on Counseling Center on the blue menu on the left).

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).

Laboratory Preschool

Lori Barrett, Early Childhood Program Coordinator/Laboratory Preschool Director
(304) 367-4848
Lori.Barrett@pierpont.edu

The Early Childhood Associate of Applied Science Program provides a half-day preschool program for children of students, faculty, staff, and the community. The hours of operation for the Pre-Kindergarten class are 8:30am to 1:30pm Monday through Friday. The three-year-old children’s class meets from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Classes are held in room 124 of the Education Building. The preschool is provided during fall and spring semesters when classes are in session.

The preschool is a licensed center and serves as a model early childhood program training facility. Financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Resources may be available for families meeting eligibility requirements.

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. 

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. 

In addition, Pierpont has partnered with the Marion County Public Library and the Clarksburg Harrison Public Library, who will provide students access to the library’s resources.  (Partnership with Marion County Library and Partnership with Clarksburg Harrison Public Library )

Office of Academy for Teaching Excellence, Assessment and Inclusion

The purpose of the Office of Academy for Teaching Excellence, Assessment and Inclusion is four-fold:

  1. To serve as a resource for teaching faculty in continuous improvement of their role in the teaching/learning process
  2. To promote student persistence to degree
  3. To help coordinate and carry out strategic institutional curricular and co-curricular assessment projects
  4. To assist the campus community overall in creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive teaching and learning environment.

The Director serves as a consultant for all academic units in the design and completion of their individual assessment projects, including but not limited to, program reviews, annual assessment plans and reports, and the coordination of student end-of-program assessments. The Office works closely with the Office of Student Success & Completion under the supervision and leadership of the Office of the Provost.

Office of Student Success and Completion

The mission of the Office of Student Success & Completion of Pierpont Community & Technical College is to provide personalized, ongoing intentional interactions with students from orientation through graduation.  The Office of Student Success & Completion supports Pierpont students by facilitating student connections with the institutional community, orchestrating cross-campus collaboration, and promoting academic achievement, and dedication to program completion. 

The primary goal of the Office of Student Success & Completion is to work with students individually and assist in a success plan that aids in overcoming any barrier to college success. To ensure that students take full advantage of student services and educational opportunities, the Office has implemented a student success program supported through an Early Alert System.  The system allows faculty to be proactive, supportive, and involved in facilitating the academic components of student persistence through early detection and intervention of students who are experiencing academic problems.  What constitutes an Early Alert?

  • Poor Attendance
  • Tardiness
  • Low Scores On Assignments and/or Test
  • Not Submitting Homework
  • Not Logging-In to Blackboard
  • A Change in Demeanor (Attitude, Behavior, Poor Participation, and Engagement in Class)
  • Knowledge of Personal Barriers (Death in Family, Finances, etc.)

The Office of Student Success & Completion provides services to students that ensures support for their unique needs.  Examples of support provided by the Office are success strategies workshops, course registration, connections with campus resources, and personalized ongoing interactions with students by phone, email, individual appointments, and walk-in meetings.

For more information, contact the Director of Student Success & Completion at (304) 367-4854.

Student Activities

Raven Thomas
Student Involvement Coordinator
304-534-7864

The Office of Student Activities offers various events and activities that are open to all students. They provide a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved and build inter-personal relationships all while maintaining a fun and entertaining environment. To stay up-to-date on all that Student Activities has to offer, check your student email, official Pierpont social media, or our Student Activities Calendar.

Student Government

Raven Thomas
Student Involvement Coordinator
304-534-7864

Student Government actively seeks to supplement the academic atmosphere with intellectual, cultural, and social activities. Student Government members are involved in all Pierpont Community & Technical College aspects of life on campus and work cooperatively with the college administration.

Every segment of the student body is represented in the Government. Members are elected each spring by the student body and receive special training for their positions. The association comprises a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communication Officer, and Student Senators. The Student Involvement Coordinator serves as the advisor to the Student Government Association. 

Student Government meets every other week. All general meetings are open to the student body. The Executive Board meets on the off weeks.

Student Health Services

Student Health Services are currently provided by Monongalia Valley Association of Health Centers at 1322 Locust Ave, Fairmont WV. The service is available only to currently enrolled students. Students may visit for any reason that may cause them to seek treatment from their general health care provider at home. For emergencies call 911.

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.

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.

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.