ALBEMARLE — Local leaders have long bragged about Stanly Community College’s wide range of programs and the quality of the offerings they provide, and now, the system is getting some well-deserved attention.
Niche.com, which analyzes K-12 schools, colleges, universities and neighborhoods by using available data, announced that SCC is the No. 1 “Best Community College in North Carolina.”
“With more and more families relying on online resources to navigate the college search process, we see a huge opportunity to help students find the school that’s right for them,” Luke Skurman, CEO and founder of Niche.com, said in the press release announcing the rankings. “Our 2021 college rankings will provide valuable information and insights to the millions of college bound students and their families during this admissions cycle. We’re humbled to continue to play a key role in the college search in these uncertain times.”
Possibly an even greater distinction, considering the number of community colleges in the nation, Best Value Schools, another popular online college ranker, announced that SCC was their No. 2 “Community College in the United States for Accredited Online Associate of Arts Degree Programs.”
According to their website, “Best Value Schools is dedicated to helping you find the best possible college or university. Education is a major investment, and we provide the clear, credible guidance you need to make the right decisions for your education and career.”
In response, SCC put out a press release on Nov. 13 to tout the rankings.
“After a difficult year for our students, faculty, and staff, these recognitions are very encouraging,” SCC President Dr. John Enamait said in the release. “We have the BEST faculty and staff in the state and these rankings only reinforce the outstanding educational opportunities SCC offers. Despite a year of adversity, our faculty and staff have again risen to the top and excelled in providing the best education possible for our students.”
SCC has a wide variety of degrees and certifications offered, from medical specializations in respiratory therapy, nursing, pharmaceutical technology and emergency medical science; to trades, like welding, electrical linework, automotive and heavy equipment operations; to technology, like simulation and game development, cybersecurity and computer engineering; to first-responder certification for law enforcement and firefighters.
To learn more about the courses Stanly Community College offers, and how to apply for them, visit their website at https://www.stanly.edu/