LIVE OAK, Fla. — Already with the support of Suwannee County officials to bring a learning station to the Union Passenger Depot, North Florida Community College officials further discussed their plans last week with the Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency.

The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved staff and NFCC officials working on a contract to use the historic depot for college classes and support last month.

NFCC eyeing local learning station

At the CRA meeting Feb. 26, NFCC Dean of Administrative Services Andy Barnes stressed how excited the college is about the possibilities in Live Oak.

“Both (the county and NFCC) view this as a long-term opportunity,” Barnes said. “We’re not going to just be a tenant renting a building from the county.

“Our goal for this is really to build this into a long-range that could eventually lead into a satellite campus with all the resources that a college would bring, with advising and library services, enrollment services.”

That long-term goal and the proposed learning station that will precede it are based off the model St. Johns River State College has successfully used. Much like NFCC is based in rural Madison, St. Johns River is based in Palatka. However, it has satellite campuses in St. Augustine and Orange Park to further serve the St. Johns and Clay county students.

Barnes said as the largest community in NFCC’s six-county service area as well as the fastest-growing area, getting an increased presence in Live Oak just made sense for the college.

He added the vision is by offering those educational opportunities locally, more students may stay in Live Oak and Suwannee County to establish businesses and families as well.

The idea was well received by the CRA board, notably Bruce Tillman who echoed Economic Development Director Jimmy Norris’ sentiments that it could greatly improve the workforce development in the county.

“This is several fixes,” Tillman said about potential businesses being aware of the education and capabilities of local workers. “It’s a long haul.

“I’m glad you guys are on board.”

Jennifer Page, the Dean of Academic Services at NFCC, said she has already begun scheduling and staffing for the Fall 2019 semester, which will hopefully include the first courses offered at the Live Oak learning station.

She said those classes will be general education writing courses with general education math courses also likely to be offered in the short term. Depending on the need, more courses could be on the horizon as well.

“That’s the ultimate goal is to make sure a student can stay right here and not have to drive over to Madison and finish their complete AA,” Page said.

In addition to those courses, NFCC also plans to have advising, financial aid and enrollment resources available at the learning station. Kay Hogan, the college’s Dean of Student Services, said she was one who needed face-to-face help, particularly with math. So while online courses are available, she understands the need for having someone to talk to.

“The way that the depot is set up, I can just visualize a class happening on one end and then a support tutoring happening on the other end,” she said. “The rest of the story is we plan to support the students that take courses here.”

Hogan added that support and those classes may be offered in the afternoon when dual-enrolled high school students may decide to take an additional class. It could be at night for non-traditional students.

Once again, the need of the community will guide those staffing decisions.

“Just think it’s a win-win,” Hogan said of the learning station.

Editorial: Learning station is a win-win

Barnes agreed and said the community has been extremely supportive of the idea as well, which has been exciting for college officials.

“It reinforces that this is the right decision and the right time,” he said.