FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Courtney Davis
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Prince George’s Community College
daviscl@pgcc.edu
Prince George’s Community College Announces Phased Reopening and Return to In-Person Learning for Summer 2021
LARGO, Md. (April 14, 2021) – Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) announced today its plan to implement a phased return to in-person services and learning beginning May 24, the start of the summer 2021 semester. The updated stance reflects the College’s commitment to ensuring student needs are met while promoting the health and safety of the entire community.
“The College looks toward its phased reopening with an abundance of cautious optimism and excitement,” said Dr. Falecia Williams, Prince George’s Community College president. “Our core mission as an institution has been hampered by the intensity and necessity of our prolonged remote posture. In order to deliver on our promise to students, we must adopt a blended model that allows us to balance the safety of our College community with our need to serve students where they are, which in some cases, is in person.”
Beginning May 24, the College will add in-person services for students to the essential services currently being provided at its main Largo campus and extension centers. In-person services, offered by appointment only, will allow students to come to campus for assistance with registration, advising, financial aid, and other resources. The College also plans to expand its learning modalities, adding additional options for hybrid on campus and virtual courses.
For the fall 2021 semester, which begins August 23, the College will gradually return more of its faculty and staff to the campus and increase the variety of its learning modalities, including face-to-face, hybrid on campus, hybrid virtual, structured remote, and online. To promote the safety of the College community, there will be no more than a 50% campus density on any given day for all students and employees.
“Our faculty and students have demonstrated such patience, flexibility, and ingenuity as we continue to navigate these extraordinary times,” said Dr. Clayton Railey, executive vice president and provost of Teaching, Learning, and Student Success. “We are confident that with increased access to the COVID-19 vaccine and close monitoring of the conditions, we can return safely to our classrooms in the coming months and amplify our efforts to deliver a high-quality education to our students.”
As part of the College’s ongoing partnership with Luminis Health, all employees now have an opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on the College’s campus. To date, more than 12,000 individuals have been vaccinated at the site, including Prince George’s Community College faculty and staff.
The College’s return to in-person services and learning is informed by its COVID-19 metrics and will be executed in a manner that aligns with CDC, state of Maryland, and county guidelines. All plans are contingent on metrics that continue to trend in a manner that supports a safe return on the listed dates. Enhanced on-site safety measures include a robust COVID-19 tracking and reporting system, increased cleaning and sanitation of high-traffic areas, College-wide signage promoting physical distancing, and ongoing training for employees and students.
Summer 2021 classes begin May 24, with flexible learning options that allow students to pursue a degree or credentials on their terms. To learn more or to register, contact enrollmentservices@pgcc.edu.
About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2015-2020), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 35,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George’s County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enables PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands.
For more information, visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
About Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center
Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) is a network of medical and surgical services provided throughout Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County. In addition to being recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a high‐performing hospital in colon cancer surgery and heart failure, it is the only hospital in Prince George’s County on Forbes’ list of best midsize employers. Also, it earned Hospital Compare’s four‐star quality rating – the highest in Prince George’s County. For more information, visit DCHweb.org or call 301-DCH-4YOU (301-324-4968).
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