Pierce College News

Pierce College has been recognized by Military Times Edge magazine as one of the 50 Most Popular Colleges in its June/July issue.

Pierce is ranked 14th out of the top 50, which is based on where active-duty military use their tuition assistance benefits. The data used in the ranking was provided by the Air Force, Army, Army National Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the hard work our faculty and staff do to ensure military personnel have access to high-quality education anytime, anywhere,” said Horst Marschall, director of Pierce College’s military programs. “I would like to thank our military partners and hosts for allowing us the opportunity to serve those who serve and protect the security of our country.”

Pierce College’s military program serves about 3,500 students per term. Students from all over the world attend classes online or at the two education centers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. For more information, visit www.pierce.ctc.edu/dist/military.

“Methinks this summer doth stink too much” need not be your mantra for yet another boring summer. Pierce College is offering fun and excitement with a Shakespearean flair in July.

Earn 10 English or drama credits and see six plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Ore., with the Pierce College Continuing Education program this summer. (Note: K-12 teachers can choose to earn clock hours through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction instead of college credits for completing this course.)

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival series at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom includes four evening classes before the festival (July 12-15) to help you understand the language and culture and five classes after the play series (July 26-Aug. 2). You’ll put those new skills to work with a trip to Ashland, Ore., July 21-23, for the festival. You’ll see six plays, including “Hamlet,” “Twelfth Night,” “Henry IV,” “American Night,” “Throne of Blood,” and “Pride and Prejudice.”

Cost is $999 and includes Pierce College tuition, tickets to all six plays, a backstage tour and discussion with an actor or director, and four nights in a hotel (double occupancy). Students must provide only their own meals and transportation to and from the festival.

You must register and pay by July 1 to reserve a space. For more information, visit www.pierce.ctc.edu/conted or call Kathleen Beaumont at (253) 840-8450.

Summer quarter classes at Pierce College are in full swing, but now is the time to start thinking about fall.

Registration for fall quarter is now open for all students and classes are filling quickly. Don’t wait. Register today! Fall quarter classes begin Sept. 22.

Former Pierce students must submit a new admissions form prior to registering for classes.  Also, former students are encouraged to email the advising staff at Pierce Fort Steilacoom or Pierce Puyallup for further assistance after updating their admissions information online. Email the Fort Steilacoom advising staff at advising@pierce.ctc.edu or the Puyallup advising staff at puyadvise@pierce.ctc.edu.

New Pierce students can follow the Five Steps to Get Started.

For a current list of fall quarter classes, check out the new eSchedule. In an effort to go green this summer, the online eSchedule replaces Pierce College’s traditional printed schedule. For questions, call the admissions office at Fort Steilacoom at (253) 964-6501 or Puyallup at (253) 864-3254.

While youth athletes spend their summer honing their skills, their coaches now have the chance to hone theirs.

Pierce College’s Continuing Education program is for the first time offering a class specifically for youth sports coaches. Introduction to Principles of Coaching is a 20-hour course that provides a comprehensive overview of the latest theories and techniques of sports psychology, team and risk management, training and injury prevention, coaching philosophy, and skills training.

“Coaches rarely have the opportunity to gather with other coaches and discuss these types of issues in a non-competitive environment,” said Lisa Murray, coach and instructor. “New coaches will gain the training and skills they need to start off with their teams in a positive, productive way, while more experienced coaches will learn new techniques and approaches, and gain new insight into training and injury prevention.”

The course is a combination of classroom and online instruction. Coaches must attend two classroom sessions, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 26 and July 10 at Pierce College South Hill Park in Puyallup. The remainder of the instruction will be completed online.

The course offers two options for students. There is a credit option, in which students earn two college credits for completing the course. Total cost is $279 and includes all course materials, books, workbooks, and exam fees. There is also a non-credit option, which is $229 (also includes all course materials, books, workbooks, and exam fees).

The information provided in the Introduction to Principles of Coaching course follows the guidelines specified by the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) and is designed to meet accepted knowledge and skills requirements of the Washington Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Coaching Standards program. Interested students will be offered the opportunity to take the ASEP Certification Exam. Those arrangements can be made through the instructor.

For more information, call the Pierce College Continuing Education program at (253) 840-8453.