Seventy-five Poteau GEAR UP students recently traveled to Tulsa to tour the Southeast campus of Tulsa Community College (TCC–SE). Students were greeted by Admissions Counselor William Baldwin and Student Recruiter Lucia McFarland. Students were led through the VanTrease Performance Arts Center for Education, also known as the PACE Building. Students were given a behind the scenes tour of the auditorium where hair and makeup preparation for productions happens. They also looked inside the shop used for building props and sets used in plays.

Next, students toured the Student Union located in Building 9. The Student Union consists of the fitness center, food court, campus store, and Student Life offices. In the Student Life offices, students can obtain tickets at discounted prices for local attractions. During the start of new semester, students provide their class schedule to the campus store and a worker will find all the books needed for their classes.

Students then entered Building 8 where programs for science, mathematics, health sciences, and biotechnology take place. A part of the health sciences, TCC is known for its nursing program, and offers two nursing tracks which range from three to four semesters. Students learned that the mannequins used by the nursing department can perform the same bodily functions humans perform, which allows nursing students to practice in the most realistic way possible.

“Students love visiting campuses such as TCC,” said GEAR UP Education Coordinator Leslie Hemphill. “It really opens their eyes to what is available beyond the local level”

The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Participating schools take two field trips each academic year—one to tour a college or university and one that is cultural/educational in nature. In 2017, Eastern received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant and will serve over 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.