Petersburg City Public Schools and John Tyler Community College expand partnership to benefit PHS students
Petersburg High School (PHS) and John Tyler Community College (JTCC) kicked off their expanded partnership in September by meeting with all the students of the high school in one day. The JTCC representatives did not just talk about financial aid and the role of community colleges. They also shared their own life stories of how […]
Petersburg High School (PHS) and John Tyler Community College (JTCC) kicked off their expanded partnership in September by meeting with all the students of the high school in one day. The JTCC representatives did not just talk about financial aid and the role of community colleges. They also shared their own life stories of how financial aid and higher education changed their lives.
Dr. Mirta Martin, Executive Vice President of the JTCC Foundation, spoke of coming to America as a teenager, not knowing a word of English. Through sheer determination, she persevered and ultimately was able to graduate from Duke University, she said. “I’m here today because education made the difference. You have got the intellect and you have got the community behind you. If I can do it, you can, too,” Dr. Martin said.
JTCC Financial Aid representative Rebecca Parker was born to a teenage mother and grew up cared for by her grandparents. One day, she stepped into the Financial Aid office at JTCC and found out how even a person such as herself could afford college. It was natural that she would return to that very office after she earned her degree, she said.
With more than 70 programs available, covering everything from social work to funeral services; with an enrollment that has exploded 11 percent in the last year; and with its Chester location just a few miles from Petersburg, JTCC is a natural partner for Petersburg High School. Currently, 47 PHS graduates attend JTCC. That is up from just 11 last year, said Chris Pfautz, Interim Dean of Student Services at JTCC.
“We are solidifying this partnership,” said Dr. James M. Victory, Superintendent of the Petersburg City Public Schools.
“We are about you. Our goal is to help you be successful in future employment,” said JTCC representative Dr. Ann Lastovica, who already serves as a career counselor in PHS.
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