FEATURE
STORY
CAMPUS LIFE KEY TO STUDENT HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS
Like colleges and universities nationwide , the
coronavirus hit Pasco-Hernando State College hard last spring . COVID-19 ’ s unanticipated post-spring break knockout punch blindsided educators everywhere — including PHSC ’ s knowledgeable and experienced administrative team . None could fully comprehend the ramifications of the pandemic then — or even now , knowing that COVID-19 ’ s true toll on students , pre-K through college , is incalculable .
With adjustments to the academic calendar , the college rapidly resumed most operations virtually . Instructors and students comfortable in campus-based courses had to adapt quickly to virtual platforms . Zoom-based communications became routine for administrators , faculty , staff and students . The College Reentry Plan established protocols to keep employees and students safe in a phased approach to returning to campus operations .
At PHSC , faculty , staff and students returned from Spring Break on March 16 , 2020 , with most feeling rested and ready to complete the final six weeks of the semester . College officials closely monitored reports regarding the rapid spread of COVID-19 with the initial expectation that the spring schedule would proceed normally . Students drafted research papers , studied for exams and registered for summer classes . Those planning to graduate looked forward to spring commencement .
Within days , administrators would face monumental decisions and logistical nightmares . Power failures , tornadoes and hurricanes forced temporary closures of PHSC campuses in the past , but nothing tested the agility , resourcefulness and determination of employees like the onslaught of Covid-19 . Administrative actions demanded across the board collaboration to temporarily close campuses , transition nearly 1,300 courses to virtual platforms and shift approximately 1,000 employees and adjunct instructors to remote operations at lightning speed .
Students enrolled in virtual classes sometimes miss the on-campus classroom experience , especially in courses with rigorous content . Most PHSC students are required to take Microcomputer Applications , a class I teach both online and in the classroom . Face-to-face courses are beneficial to students who are uncomfortable with technology or enjoy interacting with professors and classmates in person . PHSC provides a variety of options to enroll in on campus , virtual and hybrid classes or a mix of those options . This fact speaks to PHSC ’ s ability to provide equal opportunity education to our students . Curtis Scaglione , Assistant Professor Department of Information Technology Program Director
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