To the Editor,
I would like to thank the area residents who made Parkland College’s Fall Open House a well-attended, enjoyable occasion. Thanks also to the faculty, staff, and students who took the time to give college hopefuls a glimpse into their higher education and career futures.
A large tractor and a racecar stood near our front door to campus, the new Parkland Student Union, which hosted 200+ visitors at the Nov. 7 event. These vehicles highlighted our automotive, diesel, motorsports, and related technical programs. Inside, Parkland Student Ambassadors provided tours, while the heads of our academic programs graciously fielded questions and handed out information about what certain majors require. Their efforts put career decisions into sharper focus for many. Meanwhile, people viewed dry-ice experiments, medical procedures, and equipment in Parkland’s chemistry, dental hygiene, veterinary technology, and surgical technology labs. (By the way, our surg tech program graduates maintain a 100-percent pass rate on national board exams.)
Health Professions programs at our Mattis facility also got involved, giving folks a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work in massage therapy, practical nursing, occupational therapy, and other fields.
Parkland’s spring and fall open houses offer us further opportunities to engage the community in learning. But you don’t have to wait until our next one to find out just how to make your community college work for you. Stop by at any time.
Committed to your success,
Tom Bennett
Parkland College Board of Trustees, Chairman