Chinese Educators Visit Wake Tech

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 8, 2012)  – More than a dozen college and vocational school leaders from China received a crash course in North Carolina’s community college system today at Wake Tech Community College. The visitors, from Hainan Province in southern China, visited Main Campus and discussed the college’s successful structure and programs with Wake Tech President Stephen Scott and senior administrators.

Dr. Scott gave the visitors an overview of the Wake Tech student body, pointing out that the college serves about 65,000 students, which equates to about 1 in ten adults in Wake County. He also talked about how Wake Tech partners with business and industry to train a skilled workforce for the region. Admissions Director Santrell Caison shared that Wake Tech currently has more than 300 students from other countries, including 28 students from China.

The Chinese educators also heard from Bryan Ryan, Senior Vice President of Curriculum Education Servcies, Sandra Dietrich, Associate Vice President of Career Programs, and Dr. Kai Wang, Senior Dean for Strategic Innovations. Dr. Wang immigrated to the United States from China 20 years ago.

The group from China is looking at ways to partner with North Carolina educators to enhance learning at community colleges and vocational schools in both China and the U.S. The visit was part of a two-week training program on higher education administration at NC State University. 

About Wake Technical Community College:

Wake Technical Community College is North Carolina’s second largest community college, serving more than 64,000students annually with five campuses, two training centers, multiple community sites, and a comprehensive array of online learning options. Wake Tech is fully accredited and offers more than 180 associate’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates that prepare students for university transfer or immediate employment. Wake Tech also offers non-credit continuing education programs: customized workforce training, small business support, public safety officer training, basic skills courses such as English as a Second Language and high school equivalency preparation, and other courses for personal enrichment. For more information, visit www.waketech.edu, www.twitter.com/waketechcc, and www.facebook.com/waketechcc.