Shelton State Community College has expanded its offerings at the Higher Education Center in Demopolis and public transportation is being provided to and from the campus.

SSCC has increased its offerings for the current fall semester to include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Basic Study Skills, Mircocomputer Applications, Basic English II, Intermediate Algebra, Ethics and Society, and Developmental Reading II.

There are also classes available during a first term, which began August 21 and continues through Oct. 11 as well as a second term that begins Oct. 16 and continues through Dec. 14. Classes offered during the current first term are Basic Mathematics and Orientation to College. The second term will feature English Composition II, Developmental Algebra I, and Orientation to College.

The new classes are in addition to business and industry training programs, such as physical therapy aide, dental assistant, medical assistant, and commercial truck driving.

“Marengo County has recently become part of the Shelton State service area and we are working to expand opportunities to the residents of the area,” said Joye Jones, SSCC’s Dean of Instruction and Workforce Development.

Jones said SSCC is also looking to move its adult education program from the career center to the Higher Education Center. Also, the college will be constructing a new truck driving range in Demopolis. Currently the program is being taught at the New Era building.

“We were limited (at the Higher Education Center) at first due to internet, but that has been taken care of allowing us to offer more classes. The mayor and the city have been big supporters of what we are trying to do there,” Jones said.

“Shelton State is putting forth great effort to ensure the people of the Black Belt have educational opportunities without having to travel to Tuscaloosa or other long distances,” Laney said.

For those who may be interested in taking classes, but may have trouble getting to the campus, public transportation is being offered. According to Demopolis Mayor John Laney, West Alabama Public Transportation will be providing SSCC students with rides back and forth from the campus, which is located on the grounds of the Demopolis Sportsplex.

There are signs at the stops across Demopolis, which includes: Edgemont Village, West Alabama Mental Health, Maria Street and Elmwood Drive, Maria Street and Lock Street, Jackson Street and Lamar Avenue, Jackson Street and S. Glover Avenue, Jackson Street and S. Main Avenue, E. Pettus Avenue and Cedar Street, E. Pettus Avenue and Black Drive, Old Springhill Road and St. Paul Baptist Church parking lot, and Old Springhill Road and Reed Drive.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, August 30, print edition of the Demopolis Times.)