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Southern Union State Community College’s Valley campus is expanding programs and introducing two new programs this fall, Aviation Maintenance Technology and Veterinary Technology. The programs are being ushered in as part of the recent renovations that the campus is receiving this year. 

This fall, the second year course for SUSCC’s Aviation Maintenance program will be hosted at the Valley campus, rather than in Opelika. After finishing their second year, students will be able to sit for the FAA exam, and then they will be certified to work at an airport. 

“It turns out that a large number of people in aviation maintenance are nearing retirement age, so there’s a big demand for people that are coming in [to the field],” said Robin Brown, Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness. 

The other program, Veterinary Technology, will require a lab where students can run tests, do X-rays and learn to aid veterinarians in a clinic.

The college’s Adult Education program, though not new, is also expanding. At the Valley campus, SUSCC offers free Adult Education courses that go beyond the traditional GED course. They also teach computer literacy skills and dual enrollment with technical programs. 

This year, SUSCC will host a satellite class for its English as a Second Language course, which is also free, at the Vines Funeral Home in LaFayette in partnership with the LaFayette Latino Otureach group. 

Along with the two new programs, SUSCC is expanding several of their existing programs in Valley. New facilities have been built for the Medical Assistance Technology program, including a mock doctor’s office and phlebotomy lab. Students at the college can also get certified as a CNA (certified nurse’s assistant).

In each setting, students can learn in a simulated environment the hands-on skills they will need to work both in a lab drawing blood and performing testing as well as learning intake and other office procedures. 

The physical therapy assistant program has a maximum of 25 students enrolled at a time. The program is equipped with a classroom of physical therapy and exercise equipment. 

Students from the Electrical Technology program learn how to repair electrical motors and equipment in industry, as well as electrical wiring that would be needed in construction work.