Sampson Community College (SCC) is excited to announce the launch of a new transportation program in partnership with Sampson County Schools (SCS). The service aims to remove one of the major barriers to education— lack of transportation— by offering a convenient and dependable way for Career & College Promise (CCP) students to commute to campus. It ensures that the opportunity to ‘jump-start’ a college education is extended across the rural community.
The Career & College Promise (CCP) program at SCC allows high school students to take college courses at reduced tuition costs, earning college credit while still completing their high school education. Utilized at all high schools in Sampson County, including private and home school institutions, students have been taking advantage of the dual-enrollment program for the last decade.
Through CCP, courses are offered online depending on content, but not all can be housed virtually. One of the most popular CCP pathways is the Career & Technical Trades (CT) program, including Welding, Cosmetology, and Electrical, which yields hands-on courses that require students to attend courses on campus. In years prior, high school students were responsible for their transportation to and from SCC— limiting the accessibility of CT classes.
Ms. Jennifer Daughtry, Executive Director of High Schools for SCS, served as one of the driving forces of the new transportation initiative. She shared, “Many students were not able to provide their own transportation, and the idea was shared with Dr. King, our Superintendent, who was looking for innovative ways to support our high school students.”
In Spring 2024, Dr. Jamie King, SCS Superintendent, and Dr. Wesley Johnson, Clinton City Schools Superintendent, met with Dr. Bill Starling, SCC President, to explore strategies for supporting students in the CCP program. This led to further discussions involving Dr. Theresa Melanas and Ms. Daughtry, SCS Executive Directors, along with Blair Hairr, Vice President of Student & Academic Affairs at SCC, to begin solidifying plans for a transportation program to campus for high school students.
Dr. Bill Starling, President of SCC, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “At Sampson Community College, we believe that every student should have the opportunity to pursue higher education, regardless of where they live. This transportation program ensures that our rural students, who often face significant challenges, are not left behind. By bridging the gap between their homes and our campus, we are making college more accessible and supporting their academic journey.”
Starting on August 19, 2024, the program began providing reliable bus services to SCC from Sampson County high schools at no extra charge. Both SCC and SCS worked to ensure the program could launch by the start of the Fall 2024 semester. Course times were adjusted at SCC to present opportune times for students traveling, information was communicated to students and parents to offer enrollment options, and scheduling was created within SCS to have the bus routes ironed out.
The new transportation service will be available to all CCP students dual-enrolled at a Sampson County high school, ensuring that even those in the most rural parts of the county can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the dual-enrollment program.
“The primary goals are to increase college and career readiness with credentials and courses,” stated Ms. Daughtry. “Another goal is to provide equitable services for students who wish to take face-to-face CCP courses.”
This program is possible largely due to the close partnership between SCC and SCS. Without the dedication of school counselors and college advisors, this program would not have come to fruition so quickly and smoothly.
For more information about the transportation program or to find more information on the CCP program at Sampson Community College, please visit our website at www.sampsoncc.edu/ccp or contact our admissions office at (910) 592-8081.
About Sampson Community College: Sampson Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System, located in Clinton, NC in Sampson County. The college offers many programs to include two-year degrees, college transfer, continuing education and workforce development options and early college education.