Academic Advisement
Career Planning & Employment Services
Centers for Early Learning
Counseling Center
Crossroads
Disability Support Services
PantherCard
PantherWeb
Student Handbook
Student Publication
Student Success Grants
Testing Services
Student Life

Palm Beach Community College strives to provide broad opportunities for the intellectual and cultural development of students in an atmosphere of order and respect. Various student services and organizations are available on each campus, as described in this section.

Academic Advisement
Student Services counselors, advisors and program managers advise students in all programs. Students are urged to maintain contact with their advisors to be certain they are taking the courses necessary to complete a program, graduate, or transfer to their preferred university. Students assume ultimate responsibility for course selection.

Career Planning and Employment Services
Career services are available online and at each location, where students can visit for an introduction and orientation to career resources. These resources include career advising, computerized career guidance programs, career assessment inventories, and a career library for researching occupations and current employment trends. Students can receive personalized information about their interests, abilities and values relating to occupations and educational programs.

Employment services are available to students and graduates, including job search strategies, interviewing and resume writing assistance. Employment advising, workshops and online and printed resources are used to develop effective job search techniques. Students can identify part-time and full-time employment opportunities through the PBCC Online Career Office Program, on-campus recruiting and job fairs. Resumes can be posted online so employers can search for students meeting their employment needs.

Credit classes in career development and job searching are available to students:

• SLS 1300- Career Self-Assessment - 1 credit
• SLS 1301 -Career Development - 3 credits
• SLS 1302 -Career Information and Decision Making - 1 credit
• SLS 1303- Job Search - 1 credit

Visit the Career Centers Web page for additional information: www.pbcc.edu/career.xml.

ELIGIBILITY TO USE CAREER CENTERS
To use Career Center services, persons must meet one of the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled students in degree programs, certificate/PSAV programs, credit classes and noncredit courses and Crossroads program students.
  
  
• Graduates of PBCC programs.
  
  
• Prospective students* with applications and the appropriate test scores (FCELPT or TABE) on file.

Note: Transfer students with appropriate test scores on file from previous institutions must pay the application fee in order to establish their eligibility.

* If a prospective student does not enroll in the next upcoming term or session, the Community Career Center fee will be required.


Centers for Early Learning
The College offers early childhood centers at the Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens campuses for the children of PBCC students and employees.

LAKE WORTH
The Center for Early Learning in Lake Worth is a laboratory preschool, licensed to serve 22 children ages 3 to 6. The center's mission is to provide a setting for PBCC students who are required as part of their college coursework to observe, work with or assess preschool children. Philosophically, the center is Montessori-based and is equipped with a full complement of Montessori materials. The staff believes that each child is a unique individual; therefore, learning experiences are tailored to meet each individual child's needs.

The center operates from 8 a.m. to noon weekdays during the Fall, Spring and Summer A terms. It is staffed by trained teachers and an assistant. For additional information, call (561) 868-3355 or visit www.pbcc.edu/earlylearninglakeworth.xml.

PALM BEACH GARDENS
The Center for Early Learning in Palm Beach Gardens serves children from age 12 months to 5 years. The center offers a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum that enriches and enhances the growth of the whole child. Staff members are trained, have a natural affinity for children and are motivated to learn and grow as professionals. The center celebrates and affirms the unique heritage of each family and seeks to work as a team with family, together creating the optimal environment for each child to reach his/her full potential.

Space is limited, and there are usually waiting lists for all age groups. Priority is given to children of students and employees. Reduced fees and scholarships are available to qualified college student applicants. For additional information, call (561) 207-5225.

Counseling Center
The College Wide Student Counseling Center (CWSCC), located on the Lake Worth campus, provides services and programs to help students maintain their emotional well-being in order to achieve their educational goals. The mission is inspired by the philosophy of lifelong learning, development of the whole person, self-reflection and values clarification.

CWSCC services include:

• Mental health emergency services
• Crisis intervention
• Brief counseling (4-6 sessions)
• Mental health assessment
• Referral services
• Early alert intervention manager
• Faculty and staff training

For more information, call the center at (561) 868-3980.

Crossroads
Crossroads is a limited access displaced homemaker program offering free job readiness workshops and academic advising to grant-eligible individuals 35 years of age or older. The program focuses on empowerment, esteem-building, education and employment with the goal being to assist participants in their efforts to become economically self-sufficient. Workshops are offered in alternating daytime and evening schedules with on-going support available in a group and/or on an individual basis. Limited funding is available for eligible participants with marketable skills training needs. To apply or to request more information, call (561) 868-3586 or visit www.pbcc.edu/crossroads.xml.

Disability Support Services
PBCC is committed to providing full access to all programs, services and facilities for qualified individuals with disabilities as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Services and accommodations are not automatic. It is the responsibility of the student or prospective student to notify the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at his/her individual campus of the need for modifications and to provide appropriate written verification by a qualified professional in support of the disability claim. Services cannot be authorized until the documentation has been verified and the student has officially registered with the DSS Office. This voluntary self-declaration procedure is independent from the admissions process itself, and all disability records are treated as confidential and kept separately in the DSS Office.

Students with disabilities are encouraged to meet with the disability service representative at their campus before registration. This advisor will assist with course selection and accommodation needs and also will coordinate other campus resources to best meet the educational needs of students with disabilities. For further information, call (561) 868-3375 or visit online at www.pbcc.edu/disabilities.xml.

PantherCard
All students are encouraged to obtain a PantherCard, PBCC's photo identification card, by visiting their campus bookstore. PantherCard is required to use tutoring labs, check out library books, use the campus wireless network and utilize other campus services. Certain programs may require students to wear (display) their PantherCard when in class or attending training provided by PBCC at an off-site location. Fees may apply for PantherCard. For more information, see www.pbcc.edu/PantherCard.xml.

PantherWeb
Students use PBCC's online Student Services tool, PantherWeb, to register, change classes, pay tuition, view transcripts and degree audits and change personal information. The necessary personal identification number (PIN) is given to students when they apply. For more information, see www.pbcc.edu/PantherWeb.xml.

Student Handbook
All regulations and policies pertaining to student conduct are listed in the Student Success Handbook. A planner is included to assist students with their academic calendar. The handbook may be viewed online (www.pbcc.edu/current.xml ), and copies are available in the Student Services office on each campus. Students are responsible for reading the information in the Student Success Handbook.

One condition of enrollment at the College is that the student follows the Student Code of Conduct, as listed in the Student Success Handbook. The vice president of student services, College registrar, and campus provosts, with the assistance of the deans of student services and other College personnel, are responsible for interpreting and enforcing policies, rules and regulations that apply to students.

Student Publication
The Beachcomber, PBCC's student newspaper, is published twice a semester. Students are invited to participate in production of the newspaper. Although experience is preferred, a limited number of inexperienced students are accepted as trainees. Students receive practical, on-the-job training in the fields of reporting, advertising, editing, photography and business management. The newspaper office is located at the Boca Raton campus; the e-mail address is beachcomber@pbcc.edu.

Student Success Grants
Palm Beach Community College has been awarded several grants to support student success programs.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER
The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) is a U.S. Department of Education grant-funded TRIO program. EOC provides assistance with admissions applications and the financial aid application process. Other services include vocational and career counseling, academic advising, financial aid and college admissions workshops. The Educational Opportunity Center assists adults 19 years of age and older, who are residents of Palm Beach County, meet federal low-income guidelines, and/or are potential first-generation college students. For more information, call (561) 868-3681.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
This program is a U.S. Department of Education grantfunded TRIO program which serves 170 low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. Services provided include personalized academic and financial aid advisement, tutoring, career exploration activities, cultural events and university tours. The program assists students in completion and transition from one level of higher education to the next. Students must be enrolled at PBCC in a degree-seeking program to be eligible for services. For more information, call (561) 868-3392.

Testing Services
A variety of national and state exams for students, such as the Compass/ESL, CLAST, CLEP, FCELPT, TABE and others are administered in the Testing Centers. Current or prospective students taking a test at the College's Testing Centers must be prepared to sit for the full amount of time allotted for the test. Confirm testing center hours on the Web site as times vary from campus to campus.

Fees are assessed for each service and are nonrefundable. A list of fees is available in the Testing Center or at www.pbcc.edu/testcenterinformation.xml .

All tests require a government-issued, valid, photo identification card. The testing centers do not accept fees; students must come to the testing center with a prepaid receipt from the Cashier's Office.

Student Life

ATHLETICS
The College has varsity intercollegiate athletic teams for women (basketball, volleyball and softball) and for men (basketball and baseball). Memberships in the Florida Junior College Conference and the National Junior College Athletic Association largely determine policies and procedures. The program provides an opportunity for students to experience competition, skill development, self-discipline and cooperation. Students with disabilities are encouraged to try out for teams on which they might successfully participate.

For more information on PBCC Athletics, visit the Web at www.pbcc.edu/Athletics.xml.

Intramural and Recreational Activities
Intramural and recreational activities represent a broad selection of individual and team sports. Opportunities are available for students to participate in all phases of the intramural program, including planning and organizing, competing and officiating.

CENTER FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP
The Center for Student Leadership (CSL) focuses on developing a broad range of transferable skills to prepare students for leadership positions within the College as well as the global marketplace. For more information, contact the campus Student Activities office or coordinator.

MATH OLYMPICS TEAM
The Math Olympics Team meets two times a week during the Fall and Spring terms to prepare for state and national math competitions. Practices provide excellent problem-solving opportunities. Students with a strong interest in mathematics or problem solving in general are encouraged to participate. Eligibility requires that students have taken Calculus II or be scheduled to be enrolled in Calculus II during the Spring term. Practices are on Friday mornings, plus one weekday afternoon.

Scholarships are awarded each year to those students who are selected to be on the Math Olympics Team. Students interested in participating in this challenging and fun activity should contact Professor Roy Boulware at boulwarr@pbcc.edu or Professor Ira Rosenthal at rosenthi@pbcc.edu .

STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Each PBCC location has a Student Government Association (SGA). These groups provide guidance and direction to the student body, develop student programs and activities, promote student involvement, develop positive working relationships and provide students with opportunities to develop and exercise leadership skills. Contact the campus Student Activities office for more information.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS
PBCC offers assistance in the formation and official recognition of clubs and other organizations of students, faculty and alumni who have interests in common. There are well-defined procedures available through the Student Activities office for the establishment and sanctioning of a student club or organization.

To hold office in a student organization, a student must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA) at the beginning of tenure of office and must achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA during each term in office. To belong to the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, a student must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and have earned 12 semester hours at PBCC. Some other clubs and organizations also have individual membership requirements.

The following are currently sanctioned groups:

Belle Glade
• Black Student Union
• Dream It, Do It
• International Student Club
• Kiskeya (Haitian student organization)
• Nursing Student Association
• Phi Theta Kappa (Academic Honors Society)
• Spanish and Latin Student Association (SALSA)
• Cosmetology Club
• Sisters on the Serious Side
• Student Unity Promotion
• Sahara Club

Boca Raton
• American Institute of Architectural Students
• Art Society
• Black Student Association
• Boxing Club
• Chabad Student Center
• Christian Leadership Association
• Computer Club
• Djakout Lakay (Haitian student organization)
• Ecology Club (Lean, Clean, & Green)
• Florida Future Educators of America
• Golden Z
• Journalism Club
• Massage Therapy Club
• Phi Theta Kappa (Academic Honors Society)
• Political Forum
• Spanish and Latin Student Association (SALSA)
• Student Government Association
• Students for Israel

Lake Worth
• ASPIRA
• Black Student Union
• Christian Fellowship Club
• Community Earth Club
• Computer Club
• Dental Assisting Student Association
• Dream It, Do It
• Gay Straight Alliance
• German Academics Club
• Group 5 Art Society (Graphic Arts Club)
• Interior Design Group
• Kiskeya (Haitian student organization)
• Music Club
• Nursing Student Association
• Panther Medics (EMS)
• PBCC Players (Drama Club)
• Performing Musical Groups:
..... Concert Band
..... Concert Choir
..... Chamber Singers
..... Troubadours (jazz vocal ensemble)
..... Brass Ensemble
..... 12 O’Clock Jazz Ensemble
..... Tuesday Nite Big Band
..... Jazz Combos
• Phi Beta Lambda (Business Club)
• Phi Theta Kappa (Academic Honors Society)
• Soccer Club
• Student American Dental Hygiene Association
• Student Government Association
• Veterans' Union

Palm Beach Gardens
• Art Alliance
• Black Student Union
• Circle K (Kiwanis)
• Chess Club
• Chi Gamma Iota (Veterans Club)
• Community Earth
• Dream It, Do It
• Energy Club
• Faith Walkers Christian Fellowship
• Florida Future Educators of America
• Gay Straight Alliance
• Phi Theta Kappa (Academic Honors Society)
• Political Forum
• Psi Beta (Honors Psychology)
• Radiography Club
• Respiratory Care Club
• Sonography Club
• Spanish and Latino Student Association (SALSA)
• Student Government Association (SGA)
• Writer's Club

PBCC Panthers - INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Women's Sports:
Basketball
Softball
Volleyball

Men's Sports:
Baseball
Basketball

www.pbcc.edu/athletics.xml