As the end of another year is fast approaching, we turn our thoughts to the beginning of 2018.

It is a time of reflection for many. We often ask ourselves, what has been accomplished in the past year and what are we looking forward to with the New Year?

In the year 2017, we saw many changes and a vast array of movements in many new and exciting directions.

In Spring, it was announced that the Reserve Campus would begin the process of merging with River Parishes Community College Gonzales.

That was a monumental turn in the future of the Reserve Campus. When the process is complete on July 1, 2018, the Reserve Campus will be a fully SACS/COCO accredited Community College.

There will be more programs offered and residents of the River Parishes will have even more educational opportunities.

A very popular program is the two-year Louisiana Transfer Degree.

This is the stepping stone to many four-year university degrees. All of the current Technical Programs will remain the same.

All curriculums have been reviewed and will be in place in time for Summer Semester. Enrollment continues to grow and classes are filling fast for Spring.

A new Licensed Practical Nurse cohort starts in January of 2018. Applications are being accepted now.

Several separate projects are being generated to bring the main campus facility up to date. The projects will include long needed roof repairs and painting, along with new lighting fixtures and restroom renovations.

In early Spring of 2018, we will be breaking ground on a new Welding building complete with class rooms.

It will allow for double the current student population in Welding. The expected completion date will be Fall 2018.

In the way of new technology, a new Computer Lab, Library services and Lab software for PTECH and Industrial Instrumentation classes is in the works.

Yes, there are a great many things to look forward to in the coming year and the most important is all the new Freshman embarking on their educational journey to College.

From all of the Staff and Faculty at South Central Louisiana Technical College, Reserve Campus, our wishes for safe and Happy Holidays.

Penelope Freeman is Campus Dean for South Central Louisiana Technical College. She is at the Reserve Campus. Email her at penelopefreeman@ scl.edu.