“We have so many opportunities for people and as we’re coming out of COVID, people need hope,” surmised Beth Starks, director of Adult Education and the North County Extension Center of SUNY Jamestown Community College.
safe and supported space perfect for anyone who
prefers a college experience in a smaller setting.
Recent studies back her up. According to the CDC, in 2021 more than a third of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the pandemic, and 44% reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year. The findings also indicate students that felt cared for and a sense of belonging at school were less likely to feel sad or hopeless.
“Students need an option,” Starks continued. “We are that place where they can have hope and have a fresh start, a different direction, or something exciting in their life – we can be that.”
A recent article from The New York Times explains that as the country pushes out of the pandemic, youth are dealing with social anxiety, which can cause heightened insecurity, fear of public spaces, and a reluctance to hang out with friends.
For some, the North County Extension Center may be a remedy. Comprised of two buildings, the location is surprising in terms of what it can help students, and the surrounding community, accomplish.
From classes to conference areas, the college’s extension center has a wealth of space and resources for the Dunkirk-Fredonia area, and its surrounding communities. Any JCC student can use the campus to accomplish the same tasks they might at the Jamestown or Cattaraugus County campuses.
and the North County Extension Center
of SUNY Jamestown Community College
“We’re open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday,” Starks shared. “All the business and enrollment functions, such as completing applications, registering for classes, and even submitting health information, can be done here.”
Accessibility to these services may make higher education more palatable for a wider variety of students. According to an article in The Washington Post, the significant decline in the number of Americans going to college is likely to lead to more people that live in poverty and require government assistance; increasing rates of depression and divorce; and declines in life span, volunteerism, and voting.
At the North County Extension Center, students can take general education classes to work toward a degree, as well as pursue 10-week courses and one-year certificate paths. Regardless of what JCC location one primarily attends, the computer labs and resources are available to all.
“Our center makes college more accessible to everyone in our surrounding area. The computer lab is a huge boost to anyone who might need a quiet space to work – or simply more reliable internet,” Starks added. “This is a pleasant place where people can connect and get one-on-one attention. Students can get help finding an internship and gaining work experience. High school graduates can get help finding their career path, and deciding on programs. Adult learners can find support in balancing work, family, and school.”
With Campus Life events happening regularly, facilities that include a full-size basketball court and weight room, and work opportunities available, students at North County Extension Center have all the flavor of college life available to them, paired with a tight-knit community. Students are better able to receive personalized support from instructors, and build a network of support staff that can quickly feel like family.
Starks is eager for the surrounding community to also become a more integrated part of that family.
“If you see a need in the community that is not being filled, we are a place that can help be part of the solution, so come to us,” Starks suggests. “We are a space for meetings, for events to take place. We encourage visitors to come and see for themselves!”
Fall semester begins Aug. 22 at JCC. For more information or to register, visit sunyjcc.edu/fall.