A new guest speaker series launched on Monday, Sept. 28, to help local high school students discover more about the opportunities available to them through their BOCES program that’s now located at Herkimer College.
The Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Valley Pathways in Technology Early College High School moved to the college campus beginning this school year, and things have gotten off to a great start, Herkimer BOCES Director of Career and Technical Education Zane Mahar said.
VP-TECH kicked off the P-TECH Podium series with a presentation by Herkimer College Director of Library Services Fred Berowski Jr.
“The P-TECH Podium, which is in its inaugural season, is a forum where guest presenters can come and share their expertise with our P-TECH students,” Mahar said. “Since our VP-TECH program moved to the college full-time, it was decided that the first round of presenters would come from Herkimer College itself, so that students could better learn the programs and people who are shaping not only their course of study, but their larger college experience as well. We have a full calendar of presenters this semester, and we wish to thank all our guests this semester, especially Mr. Berowski for kicking things off.”
The Herkimer BOCES VP-TECH program, which was previously based at the Herkimer BOCES William E. Busacker Complex in East Herkimer, started operating completely at Herkimer College for the first time this September. Students enter VP-TECH in ninth grade and have up to six years to complete their high school diploma and associate degree at no cost – with some students completing their associate degree while still in high school.
“The entire college community has been extremely welcoming and supportive at all levels,” Mahar said. “Whether it is the support of the administration, the hospitality shown by college professors, the quick response of the college IT support staff or the cheerful help provided by members of the maintenance crew, whose assistance has proved invaluable, the entire college has made our staff and students feel like we are part of the college community.”
There are four Herkimer College associate degree programs that VP-TECH students are eligible to take: Business Administration, Computer and Network Security, Electrical Technology and Quality Assurance Science. BOCES and college officials are also looking into the possibility of offering the college’s Esports Management program in the future.
“Just being up here a short time has paid dividends,” Mahar said. “That goes from college professors being right next door, so our students can make use of their office hours for additional support, to having access to the gym, academic support and structured study halls with college tutors assigned, to just being part of the larger campus community – including that we have students who are members of the college esports club.”
P-TECH Podium
The P-TECH Podium series will take place weekly on Monday afternoons.
In the inaugural session, Berowski welcomed students to the library and presented to them about how they can use the library books, computers and digital resources.
Berowski said he was glad to be able to present to the students.
“We’re happy to have the next generation of college students already using our services as they prepare for their journey in higher education,” he said.
Berowski introduced students to a 24/7 online chat with access to librarians who can help them find resources, cite sources and more. He also showed them examples of how to search online reference databases.
Students have so many opportunities to find what they need for their research, Berowski said.
“I think it’s fantastic,” he said. “When I went to school, these types of electronic resources didn’t exist.”
‘More resources’
VP-TECH history teacher Jacob Smithling attended the P-TECH Podium with his students. He appreciated the presentation and said students benefit from being at the college because they are able to truly feel like college students, use the library and participate in clubs.
“I think it’s great for them to be up here,” Smithling said. “We have access to a lot more resources here. It’s a very positive change overall.”
VP-TECH students take some high school College Now classes taught by Herkimer BOCES teachers in the role of adjunct college professors, and they take some college classes mixed in with other college students. Students in VP-TECH spend their full school days at Herkimer College – with the exception of some students who are also enrolled in Herkimer BOCES Career and Technical Education programs.
VP-TECH student Kadyn Farley, a 12th grader from Little Falls City School District, said she is happy with the move to the college.
“I like how we are here and if we need anything, we can find it – especially with the library,” Farley said.
Farley said she will “most definitely” find P-TECH Podium helpful, and she expects to make use of the library resources students learned about during the first session.
“I think I will use it – especially if I need to find specific things,” she said.
VP-TECH student Max Kurganov, an 11th grader from Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District, also sees the benefits of P-TECH Podium.
“I think it will be pretty helpful,” he said.
Kurganov said being at the college full-time is an interesting experience.
“I like that there’s a lot of resources for us,” he said.
Herkimer College Director of Library Services Fred Berowski Jr. (standing) presents to Herkimer BOCES VP-TECH students during the first P-TECH Podium session on Monday, Sept. 28, in the Herkimer College library:
Herkimer BOCES VP-TECH history teacher Jacob Smithling (standing) teaches students in the VP-TECH classroom in Johnson Hall at Herkimer College on Monday, Sept. 28:
