Guest column<br><br>Make local higher education your <br>New Year’s resolution for 2005<br>

On Jan. 18, CCC will launch its spring 2005 semester, presenting unprecedented learning opportunities for Williams students, with a total of 65 classes. Forty-three classes will be available via the World Wide Web, which Williams students can access from home or at the college’s 12-station computer lab (with high-speed, broadband Internet access).

This semester’s Web courses include Principles of Financial Accounting, Medical Terminology, Art History, Business English, Principles of Marketing, Cultural Diversity in Education, College Composition I and II, Introduction to Statistics, Introduction to Psychology and many more.

CCC will also offer 13 classes via instructional television (ITV), where Williams students will be connected with their cohorts at four other sites (the two Flagstaff campuses, Grand Canyon and Page). ITV offerings include Administration of Justice-Community Relations, Criminology, Introduction to the American Short Story, Workplace Ethics, Beginning and Intermediate Algebra, Family Law, Social Problems, and other courses. Since the ITV system enables the college to add small groups of Williams students to district-wide classes, low local enrollments don’t result in canceled classes.

What about live face-to-face instruction? CCC will feature nine classes taught onsite by Williams residents. These include Watercolor Workshop taught by Bonnie Dent, Oil Painting Workshop with Joyce Smykal, American Sign Language with Dorianne Pollack, Furniture Making taught by Bob Kuhn, Introduction to Computer Information Systems with Theresa Johnson, Introduction to Microsoft Word with Gabi Uebel, Introduction to English as a Second Language instructed by Dorrianne Pollack, and Spanish for elementary teachers with Dan Ayub.

In addition, CCC will offer several noncredit classes. Sunday is Double Nickels Day at the Williams Campus. This no-cost computer workshop/open house will provide Williams residents 55 and older with an opportunity to learn some basic technological how-to’s, and experience the college’s state-of-the-art facilities. Also, ValJesse O’Feeney will teach two workshops, Old West Photography, Jan. 15 and 16, and Horse and Wildlife Sketching, Jan. 22.

CCC is very fortunate to have longtime Williams resident Phyllis Johnson on board for her second year as office specialist. If you have any questions about the college, any of the spring 2005 offerings or would like a tour of the campus, please call her at 635-1325. Indeed, affordable and appealing college credits can be earned right here in Williams. High school students can get a head start on their college education before graduation and lifelong learners can pursue fascinating instructional opportunities. Please visit your community college at Seventh and Oak, just up the hill from Williams High School, and pursue your dreams of success!