Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC, WWCC, Western Wyoming College) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Western Wyoming Community College (WWCC) is a two-year community college in Rock Springs, Wyoming. It was established in 1959 and has been growing consistently ever since. The enormous catchment area served by the college includes a span of over 10,000 square miles. Today, there are well over 5,000 students enrolled at WWCC at any given time.

The campus is spread over 435 acres, yet all of the buildings on campus are connected by indoor hallways. It is particularly well-known for the T-Rex skeleton in the atrium. There is a branch campus in Green River, twelve miles west of the main campus.

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Information Summary

Ranks 9th in Wyoming and 2830th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	53.3
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$11,474
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	58% / 13%
Enrollment Total (all students)	3,183

Academics

WWCC offers several certificates, occupational degrees, and academic degrees for students planning to transfer to four-year institutions. WWCC has a transfer agreement with the University of Wyoming for students who wish to go on to earn four-year degrees. Degrees awarded include Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Nursing, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science. Specific degrees include the following:

The visual and performing arts department offers degrees in theatre, including musical and technical theatre; art, including 2D and 3D art and ceramics; dance; and music.

The business department offers degrees in business administration; economics; accounting; marketing; computer sciences, including web development and digital design; and office information systems.

The health sciences department offers degrees in exercise science; nursing, including practical nursing and a BS transfer track; and health sciences, including pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy; pre-veterinary medicine; pre-medicine; pre-physical therapy; pre-radiology; and pre-dental hygiene.

The humanities department includes English, Spanish, journalism, communication, and Western American studies.

The math and science department includes degrees in environmental science; geology; chemistry; engineering; mathematics; and biology, including pre-forestry, pre-wildlife biology, pre-veterinary, and pre-rangeland ecology

The social sciences department offers degrees in sociology, international studies, criminal justice, pre-law, law enforcement, political science, archaeology, anthropology, psychology, history, social science, human services, and social work.

The technology and industry department offers degrees in welding technology, oil and gas technology, mining maintenance, automotive technology, industrial maintenance, natural gas compression technology, diesel technology and heavy equipment maintenance, electrical and instrumentation technology, and industrial safety.

Certificate Programs

Certificates are available in the following programs: accounting, administrative assistant, automotive technology, clerk-typist, creative writing, customized maintenance mechanics, diesel technology, diesel and heavy equipment maintenance repair, electrical apprenticeship, electricity non-union, electronics and instrumentation technology, electrical mine maintenance, emergency management, English as a second language, fitness leadership, industrial maintenance mechanics-hydraulics, industrial maintenance mechanics-welding, industrial safety, international business, journalism, medical office assistant, mining maintenance technology, natural gas compression technology, oil and gas production operator, power plant maintenance mechanics, practical nursing outreach, surface maintenance mechanics, technical theatre, underground maintenance mechanics, web site development, welding technology-fabrication, welding technology-industrial, welding technology-mine, and Western American studies.

Distance Learning

Distance Learning is the fastest-growing branch of the college. Distance learning options include compressed video (CV) classes, which are essentially taught through the television, and online classes. Students interested in enrolling in online classes must have internet access, MS Word 2003 or higher, email, and the ability to actively engage professors and fellow learners through online discussions. Neither CV classes nor online classes are self-paced—students must begin work on the first day of classes each semester, log online to the class at least three times a week (on separate days), actively participate in discussions, and meet scheduled deadlines as they would in a traditional classroom setting. Students who are new to online learning should take the non-credit “Intro to Online Learning” course that is available free of charge.

Transfer Agreements

WWCC has transfer agreements with University of Wyoming, Franklin University, Kaplan University, Mayville State University, National American University, Regis University, Ashford University, and Upper Iowa University.

Community Education

WWCC offers a wide range of community education courses to fit the needs and interests of individuals throughout their catchment area. Popular classes include arts and crafts such as cake decorating, custom lawn chair-making, stained glass, and outdoor digital photography; children’s physical education classes such as ballet and swimming; computer classes such as digital scrapbooking, Photoshop, and an introduction to Windows; theater trips; sports and outdoors classes such as chainsaw maintenance, Dutch oven cooking, and horse hoof care; and more.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

In keeping with their mission to provide higher education to anyone in their catchment area who wishes to receive it, WWCC has open admissions. International students must submit TOEFL scores with their application. All students are required to take placement exams to determine the most appropriate course of study for them.

Financial Aid

In addition to the wide range of financial aid options available to college and university students in Wyoming, WWCC offers several of their own scholarships:

The Superior Scholarship is granted to high school seniors for four consecutive semesters. It includes full in-state tuition and fees, textbooks, housing, and meal plan costs. Applicants must have a 3.75 GPA, a minimum ACT score of 27, and two letters of recommendation.

The Honors Scholarship is granted to high school seniors for four consecutive semesters. It includes full in-state tuition and fees, textbooks, housing, and meal plan costs. Applicants must have a 3.50 GPA and a minimum ACT score of 25.

The Performance Scholarship is granted to high school seniors for four consecutive semesters. It includes a $3,400 stipend (as of 2011). Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and a minimum ACT score of 21.

The Opportunity Scholarship ] is granted to high school seniors for four consecutive semesters. It includes a $1,600 stipend (as of 2011). Applicants must have a 2.4 GPA and a minimum ACT score of 19. It is only open to in-state students. For out-of-state students, the otherwise-identical Provisional Opportunity Scholarship is available.

The Sweetwater County High School Graduate Scholarship is granted to student who graduated from a Sweetwater County high school in 2006 or later. Students must attend WWCC full-time to receive the $1800 stipend. There are additional scholarships available for students excelling in each department, international students, part-time students, non-traditional students, and honourably discharged veterans.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6602nd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Wyoming.

Students

Clubs and Organizations

Clubs are governed by the Associated Student Government. Groups include Birthday Club, LANtrocity Club, LDSSA, Stampede Club, Student Nurses Association (SNA), Residents Halls Association, Omega Radio Club, Spanish Club, and Phi Theta Kappa.

Child Care

WWCC’s Children’s Center provides low-cost child care for the children of any full-time, part-time, ESL, GED, or community education student at the college. The center is open to children aged 2-5 weekdays throughout the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The Children’s Center also runs programs for school-aged children during the summer and on days when school is out of session during the fall and spring semesters. 2-year-olds do not need to be potty-trained to attend. Classes are taught by trained, licensed early childhood educators. The curriculum includes literacy, mathematics, science, art, music, computer, and physical activities.

Residential Life

Residences at WWCC are considered to be living-learning centers. Options include suite units, semi-private units, one bedroom apartments, two bedroom apartments, and private bedroom apartments.

Dining

A minimum meal plan of ten meals a week is required for all students living in suites or semi-private residence units. The dining hall at WWCC is called the T-Rex Café.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The athletics department at WWCC is known as the Mustangs. The Mustangs compete on the intervarsity level in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, wrestling, women’s volleyball, and spirit squad.

There is also a thriving intramural program at WWCC for student enjoyment. Popular intramurals include sand volleyball, tennis, outdoor soccer, ultimate Frisbee, 8-ball singles tournaments, flag football, inner tube water polo, volleyball, basketball, softball, and badminton.

The campus features large aquatics and wellness centers that are open to student use. The wellness center offers cardiovascular equipment, free weights, a track, and other facilities for health and well-being.

Local Community

The Rock Springs area offers a large number of recreational opportunities for students, including a civic center with fitness classes, handball courts, and a climbing wall; two golf courses; mountain biking and hiking trails; a recreational center with an indoor track and ice arena; and wildlife areas with plenty of hunting, camping, and fishing opportunities.

The Rock Springs area is also particularly well known for its many annual festivals and events, including International Days, Rods n’ Rails Car Show, Flaming Gorge Days, Wyoming’s Big Show (county fair), Sweetwater Blues n’Fest, River Festival, Pumpkin Patch, Holiday Light Parade, Chocolate Festival, and a number of rodeos.

Western Wyoming is a sparsely populated area with a huge number of recreational activities. Yellowstone National Park, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Grand Teton National Park, and the resort area of Jackson Hole are all within easy driving distance of the main campus.

Bibliography

Academics. Western Wyoming Community College. Web 23 May. 2011.

Admissions. Western Wyoming Community College. Web 23 May. 2011.

Child Center. Western Wyoming Community College. Web 23 May. 2011.

Fiske, Edward B. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. Chicago: Sourcebooks, 2010. Print.

Pope, Loren. Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You. New York: Penguin. 2007. Print.

Student Life. Western Wyoming Community College. Web 23 May. 2011.