SCC reimagines Senior Day as Junior Day to engage students sooner
Southeastern Community College welcomed high school juniors from across Columbus County to campus Sept. 29 for its inaugural Junior Day, a reimagined version of the college’s more than 40-year-old Senior Day tradition. The event brought together 11th grade students from Whiteville High School, West Columbus High School, East Columbus Jr./Sr. High School, South Columbus High School and Columbus Christian Academy for a day focused on college exploration, career discovery and future planning.
College leaders redesigned the event to connect with students before they reach their senior year and begin making decisions about their educational futures. Organizers hoped the earlier exposure would help students learn about SCC’s academic programs, Career & College Promise opportunities and pathways available close to home.
“We transitioned from Senior Day to Junior Day because we wanted to reach students earlier,” explained Colene Faulk, dean of student services. “By the time students are seniors, many have already started making decisions about college, careers or entering the workforce. We wanted to connect with students during their junior year, when they still have time to explore their options and make intentional decisions about their future.”
Faulk explained that SCC is planning a Senior Signing Day, where seniors who have chosen SCC can celebrate their decision and officially commit to becoming part of the SCC family. Junior Day plants the seed, and Senior Signing Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate when students choose SCC as their next step.
Faulk said Junior Day was designed to introduce students to college and career pathways, Career & College Promise opportunities and the resources available to help them succeed. She explained that reaching students during their junior year allows SCC to begin building relationships with them before they finalize plans after high school.
SCC Executive Vice President Dr. Brandon Jenkins said the event’s turnout demonstrated the importance of reaching students before they begin making post-graduation decisions. According to Jenkins, 433 juniors from Columbus County Schools and Whiteville City Schools attended the event, including many who may have never visited a college campus.
“Moving away from Senior Day to Junior Day is a strategic move on our part to reach those students who aren’t already participating in Career and College Promise opportunities and have yet to decide their post-high school plans,” Jenkins said. “Whether you helped sign students in, served as a group leader or helped with lunch activities, your help yesterday made a huge impact in the students’ lives and their experience.”
More than 400 students spent the day exploring academic and career programs across campus through presentations, demonstrations, hands-on activities and facility tours. Faculty and staff introduced students to opportunities in healthcare, public safety, advanced manufacturing and technology, cosmetology, business careers and university transfer programs.
Students also visited the Williamson Library, Nesmith Student Center and SCC auditorium to learn about admissions, financial aid, student engagement, career planning, athletics, college transfer opportunities and campus resources. Organizers said the goal was to provide more than a campus tour and help students envision themselves as future college students.
According to Elizabeth High, dean of student learning and innovation, introducing students to college-level coursework during their junior year can provide a significant advantage. Through transfer and general education courses, students can develop study habits and academic skills that will benefit them after high school while making progress toward future college degrees.
“They can also complete some of their general education requirements to get a head start on their college career,” High said.
Faculty members who interacted with students throughout the day said they were encouraged by the level of engagement and interest they saw. Anna Richardson, teacher preparation program lead, said many students were already thinking seriously about career goals, transfer opportunities and the financial realities of higher education.
“I was very impressed with the juniors,” Richardson said. “They were excited to be on campus, respectful and asked thoughtful questions.”
Richardson said students asked about transfer credits, online and seated course options and ways to reduce student loan debt by beginning their education at a community college. She believes events like Junior Day help students understand that college and career goals can be achieved through multiple pathways.
“Junior Day gives students the opportunity to see what SCC offers right here in their own backyard,” Richardson said. “Visiting campus, meeting instructors and asking questions helps them see how SCC can be a wonderful starting point for reaching their educational and career goals.”
Instructors from several programs reported similar conversations. Students asked questions about healthcare careers, information technology certifications, cosmetology training and employment opportunities available after graduation.
Eli Murillo, lead cosmetology instructor, said exposing students to a variety of career options may be one of the event’s greatest benefits.
“This allows students to be exposed to careers they may not have known existed,” Murillo said. “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
Kaitlin Nobles, medical office administration instructor, said Junior Day gives students an opportunity to explore possibilities before making important decisions about their future.
“I think it is especially valuable for students who may not yet know exactly what career they want to pursue,” Nobles said. “Being able to talk directly with instructors and learn what different programs can lead to can help them see possibilities they may not have considered before.”
Billy Tatum, information technology instructor, agreed that reaching students during their junior year is critical.
“Being able to describe what opportunities are available for students is so important,” Tatum said. “They are at a critical stage to make decisions that will impact their senior year and beyond.”
The day concluded with a cookout, dance party, inflatable games and live music from DJ Corey Faison of C Nice Production. Whiteville High School took home the SCC Junior Day trophy for displaying the most school spirit.
For Faulk, the event’s success extended beyond what happened on Sept. 29. She said one of her favorite moments came the following day when students began taking action on what they learned during their visit.
“One of our Career and College Promise advisors called and told me that students who attended Junior Day were already coming in to meet with our advisors, completing SCC applications and talking about enrolling in classes for the spring semester,” Faulk explained. “That is when you know an event made an impact.”
Ashley McPherson, administrative assistant to the dean of student services, said one of her favorite parts of the day was welcoming students to campus and hearing them discuss their experiences during lunch and the RAMS Showdown activities.
“Students talked about what they saw during the day, and it was interesting to see all the takeaways and perspectives they gained during the program visits,” McPherson said.
Faulk said those early signs of student engagement confirmed the purpose behind reimagining the event.
“Junior Day’s real success happens after the event,” Faulk explained. “When students are coming back the very next day to meet with advisors, complete applications and talk about registering for spring classes, we know we are accomplishing what we set out to do, helping students turn exposure into action and possibilities into a plan.”
McPherson also credited the faculty, staff and volunteers who helped make the event successful.
“I was very appreciative of all our volunteers, staff and faculty because we could not have pulled off such a great event without all the support,” McPherson said. “It truly takes a village.”
By introducing students to academic programs, career opportunities and college resources one year earlier than its traditional event, SCC hopes Junior Day will help local students make informed decisions about their futures while demonstrating that they can begin building those futures today.
Ready to start college early? Click here to learn more about Career & College Promise at Southeastern Community College!
