Bermuda College has always had its local community at heart, even before formally adopting the community college philosophy in 2005.

But never has it been as evident as now, says College spokesperson, Evelyn James Barnett: "We've been a very active campus over the last several years following implementation of our 10 year Strategic Plan."

An ambitious project that emerged from a campuswide Visioning Day in 2008. "BC 2018", as it is referred to by the College, features some eleven core strategies developed by College administration, faculty, staff and students with critical input from key stakeholders like alumni, business and industry partners and the public.

"Unlike other strategic planning, exercises, " says Mrs. James Barnett. "Work on its implementation began almost immediately after adoption by the Board of Governors. There was a very strong emphasis on 'student success' which everybody bought into. The College had come full circle to its core mission of serving the community by facilitating the educational success of its students."

"In a lot of ways, the College is simply institutionalising our commitment to student success with the Plan, and several other key initiatives," noted Mrs. James Barnett.

One such initiative is the College's seven year journey towards full accreditation by the Commission for the Institute of Higher Education (CIHE) and its regional accrediting agency, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

"NEASC is the same body that accredits Harvard University," explained Mrs. James Barnett. "So Bermuda College will be in some pretty lofty company if we're successful!"

Bermuda College is one of only a handful of institutions outside the continental United States to be accepted by the NEASC region.

"We were accepted for candidacy after the very first site visit in 2003; and we are right now, literally, on what we've termed a College "Countdown to NEASC"," she said. "It's just a matter of weeks before the final site visit by the NEASC Team and everyone — from students, Board members and every employee — is excited. We've been working hard and we're ready!"

"Student success will always be the cornerstone of all the College's strategic planning and direction. We recently revised our Mission Statement to underscore our commitment to that success through practical initiatives such as:

* the offering of free tuition to qualifying Bermudians;

* the online Distance Education programme; the College for Working Adults (CWA);

* the College's Dual Enrolment Programme for senior high school academic achievers;

* the College Readiness Programme for those needing assistance with the academic transition from high school to college;

* educational partnerships offering graduate, postgraduate and technical certification; industry partnerships;

* guaranteed summer Internships available for the Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Computer Information Systems, Office Administration and Accounting Assistance programmes;

* articulation agreements with more than twenty accredited colleges and universities in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Caribbean;

* professional and workforce development training; and professional development for faculty and staff to ensure continued success of students.

"We've also hired a full-time Recruitment Officer to make sure everyone takes advantage of what the College has to offer!

"Bermuda College has successfully navigated 35 years of setting Bermuda's students on their paths to success," says Mrs. James Barnett. "And we're extremely well situated to fulfil our mission in even bigger and better ways for at least the next ten!

"We have a long and distinguished list of alumni to prove it — including our current president, Dr. Duranda Greene! It's an indisputable fact. You can't beat the value of a good education. It's one of, if not THE key factor in determining your personal wealth and income.

"We're no longer the best kept secret in Bermuda! We offer too much in the way of options, opportunities and access as a FIRST STEP to higher education or professional goals for persons not to take a second look at us, do the math... and then begin the enrolment process right away!"