College is the start of something aspirational and adventurous. For some, college can stir thoughts of excitement for the future and fear of the unknown. For incoming students following God’s leading to a college education—and the families supporting them—the hope is to find encouragement and support from start to finish.
At Pensacola Christian College, that support starts long before day one, and many times an admissions counselor is the first to offer help. Part of the Admissions Office, this team helps applicants through the acceptance and the transition to enrollment, answering questions and reminding students of next steps to take on their way to becoming a student. The partnership usually comes to an end after the first week of classes, when each student has successfully started their college journey.
The Core Support Teams
When week one eventually progresses to week seven—and papers, projects, and tests have become routine—students could find themselves needing support in any number of areas, including academics, finances, biblical counseling, and even career advice. That’s where the PCC Care Office becomes a great resource for students to benefit from.
For academic support, in addition to having a faculty Student Success Advisor, students also have free access to the Student Success Office. This office helps students develop effective study habits, test-taking strategies, time-management skills, and other skills that contribute to general academic success. The Academic Success Office also connects students with tutors in a variety of subjects and provides one-on-one writing advice for papers.
When financial questions or needs arise, the PCC Care Office connects students with a financial advisor to help understand financial aid options. Students can learn more about scholarships, on-campus work programs, and other financial aid for making college financial decisions. “Not all students are aware of the financial resources available to them,” said financial advisor Malcolm Edwards. “We provide personalized support for students who are trying to find a way to pay for college.”
Young adulthood can be difficult to navigate, and when a student is dealing with challenging issues, a team of caring advisors is available to provide confidential guidance rooted in the Bible, blended with prayer, and balanced by truth and love. These advisors can provide referrals to licensed professionals for students who need further care.
To help prepare them for the modern workforce, Career Services stands ready to help students—freshmen to seniors—know what to expect. From general industry guidance to résumé building, and interview preparation to professional networking events, the Career Services Office continues to provide an exceptional set of services that continue long after students become alumni.
Support, Security, and Additional Services
In addition to the PCC Care Office’s core services, PCC also supports students in other intentional ways, resulting in a campus atmosphere that feels like a small community.
For health needs, the Graf Clinic is an on-campus healthcare provider independently operated and staffed by Baptist Medical Group of Pensacola. A doctor or nurse practitioners are available by appointment during regular clinic hours.
When it comes to safety and security, PCC’s Emergency Management team remains proactive to keep campus safe with comprehensive plans for various scenarios. Team members represent all campus service departments and are committed to student comfort, safety, and care. And working relationships with law enforcement and public safety agencies are well established. “We continue to work in a close partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the local fire and EMS district, and the Escambia County Emergency Management Department,” said Chief Reggie Bartkowski, incident commander and Safety and Security manager. “We are always looking for ways to improve our service to the campus. We want our staff and students to always feel safe on our campus.”
The Rebekah Horton Library provides six floors of digital and print resources to students for personal and academic research. Staff guide students to the best sources and constantly acquire new resources. The library’s Research Center answers students’ reference questions and helps them develop effective research skills.
Whether they’re freshmen or seniors, students love receiving letters and packages, which is easy thanks to the on-campus post office. Nearby, the Campus Store offers a convenient way for students to receive a care package from a loved one—without the shipping cost. Additionally, the store also offers Eagle Express Cleaners, in collaboration with Modern Dry Cleaners, for students to drop off dry cleaning and laundry by the pound.
For those without a car but needing to get around town, students can sign up for taking one of PCC’s shopping shuttles to local shopping areas every Saturday and on some holidays for just $2 per outing.
All of these—and more—services are intended to help students and their families have the freedom to focus on God’s leading and direction for the future.