Beaufort County Community College is inviting the public in its service area to visit and learn about opportunities available to them.

On, Oct. 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the college will open its doors to the community, giving participants a chance to meet with faculty, staff and current students, tour the campus, view classes in progress, learn about various programs and more, said open house Chairman Jay Sullivan, BCCC vice president of Research and Institutional Effectiveness.

Themed, “You Fit Here! Come See How,” participants will start their open house experience in Building 10, at which the college will have staff and information kiosks available, Sullivan said. The college has held open houses in the past that focused on specific programs of study, but none of this magnitude or scope, according to Sullivan.

“This is actually our first one ever,” Sullivan said. “We’ve had a number of open houses in the past that are more limited in scope, but we’ve never had a college-wide program during an instructional day. So we’re really excited about that.”

Sullivan said from the beginning of the event in Building 10, participants will be directed to different parts of the campus based on areas of study he or she would like to know more about. Participants will also have the opportunity to see various classes in session and will even be able to sit in on certain classes that are not currently testing, including personal enrichment courses like cake decorating and sewing. The open house is a precursor to the upcoming Free Day scheduled for Oct. 9, which will give members of the community a chance to attend classes all day at the college for free, Sullivan said.

“We get them here, get them excited, and then give them the opportunity to come back and see things in more detail,” Sullivan said.

In addition to classes that will be open for viewing and participation, the college will have staff available from various departments like financial aid, admissions, continuing education and others, which will answer important questions attendees may have about financial aid eligibility and how much they would receive, how to enroll in the college to take courses, Sullivan said. There will also be a number of clubs from the college that will have information kiosks and booths present, showing attendees what it’s like to be a part of the community college community. A number of student clubs enrich the academic life of students that are on the campus, Sullivan said.

“Beaufort County Community College has been a part of eastern North Carolina for almost 50 years, but many people may not know how they fit into the BCCC community,” Sullivan said. “The purpose of the open house is to introduce these people to our campus. Whether folks are making plans for college, wanting to upgrade their job skills or looking for a new hobby of interest, we believe they will fit in at BCCC.”

Sullivan said those who attend will also have the chance to win a $1,500 scholarship that can be used at the college for tuition, registration fees, books, uniforms, tools of the trade and testing fees.

Several agencies that offers services to BCCC students will also be present for the event, including Mobile NC Works Career Center. Representatives from the NC Works Center will answer questions about services available at the center as well as help attendees prepare resumes, provide job search help or offer help in completing online job applications, Sullivan said. Other agencies who will have representatives attending the open house include Beaufort County Department of Social Services, the Beaufort County Health Department, Coastal Pregnancy Center, Eagle’s Wings, Literacy Volunteers of Beaufort County, Mideast Housing Authority, Vocational Rehabilitation and Washington Housing Development Authority and others.

“These are agencies or organizations that help lift barriers for those who may want to begin a college education but need help to do so,” said grant writer Sara Singleton, vice chairwoman of the open house.

For more information about the open house, visit www.beaufortccc.edu or contact Jay Sullivan at 252-940-6203 or by email at jayms@beaufortccc.edu.