Students began filling the halls of Sampson Community College this week as fall semester kicks off at the college. Early enrollment numbers seem to indicate a continued upward trend. Just last month, a US News & World Report article offered up the top 10 reasons that community colleges are the best value in post high-school education.

Students returning this fall will notice a lot of progress across campus that continued through the summer months. The college’s new state-of-the-art welding facility continues to move toward its finishing touches with the expectation that it will be complete by the end of this year.

Students arriving on campus to begin fall semester at SCC

The new walking trail accompanied by new lighting structures, has been put into place. This is part of the college’s Develop the East campaign from which more plans are underway. This summer, the college also had new roofing work added to buildings already on campus.

Earlier this summer, US News & World Report released an article describing why community colleges are a fantastic deal for new students. The list included affordability academic flexibility, school-life balance, STEM education and opportunities, personalized attention, elements of traditional college, online class options, financial aid options, transfer agreements and the offering of professional certificates.

The college has recently touted its Sampson Promise and Viking Express options along with transfer agreements SCC has signed with NC State, UNC-Wilmington, East Carolina University and Fayetteville State University. The college also announced last week that intramural sports will return to campus this fall.

For more information about Sampson Promise or the Viking Express and how it can make paying for college much easier for prospective students, visit http://www.sampsoncc.edu.