A
number of years ago the College’s Faculty/Staff Association
adopted "A Pledge to Students" which includes a statement
that "The adult student is the primary focus of all programs
and services offered at Western Piedmont Community College."
This commitment applies to all personnel and challenges us to
believe that our mission as a comprehensive community college is to
assist each student in the achievement of their educational goal.
Western
Piedmont Community College was chartered in 1964 as one of the now
fifty-nine campuses of the North Carolina Community College System.
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and South Mountains, its eight
contemporary buildings are located on 330 acres of rolling hills
within the corporate limits of Morganton (population 17,310), the
county seat. The campus, with its lake, grassy knolls, Arboretum,
Fit Trek, Alpine Tower, and Nature Trail, is often referred to as
one of the most beautiful in the state. Here, along the eastern
foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the region around Burke
County (population 89,148) is blessed with a semitropical climate,
trout streams, lake fishing, hiking trails, ski slopes, and abundant
camping sites.
Burke
County is part of growing "Uni-four Region" which includes
Catawba, Caldwell, and Alexander, referred to as, Metropolitan
Statistical Area [MSA]. The combined areas support a population over
341,000 persons.
Western
Piedmont Community College offers a varied education program of over
100 associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates, as well as a full
compliment of vocational extension courses and specialized skills
training. The most recent fall term full-time equivalent (FTE)
enrollment of nearly 2,782 students.
Reaffirmed
in 1993, as a fully accredited member of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (SACS), Western Piedmont’s staff and faculty
were honored to receive six commendations in the published SACS
Visitation Committee Report. Several health related curriculum
programs are also accredited by their professional associations. Our
professional staff, administrators, and Trustees constantly strive
to provide the highest quality support services to students. Our
faculty, community Program Advisory Committees, and Standing
Committees of the College monitor academic standards in order to
provide the best education and training possible.
Contact the
Human
Resources Director
at 828-448-3126,
for more information about Western Piedmont Community College
Further
information about Morganton and the surrounding region
may be obtained by contacting the Burke County Chamber of Commerce
at 828-437-3021 or 110 East Meeting Street, Morganton, NC 28655.
