Ready for Success
Watervliet student credits P-Tech program for her success
WATERVLIET, N.Y. >> Watervliet High School freshman Melissa Mayo says that the new Capital Region BOCES Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program is an asset for high school, college and career success.
“When I was little, I wanted to be a veterinarian and then I wanted to be a surgeon, but I never thought it was possible because I didn’t have the money to go to college, Mayo said in a news release.
Now, Mayo is exploring not only medicine, but virtual reality, computer science and numerous other subjects in a program that will allow her to earn an associate’s degree for free, according to the release.
Officials said that Mayo is one of about three- dozen students in the innovative four- to six-year program (grades 9-14) program offered to students throughout the region through a consortium that includes Capital Region BOCES, the Capital Region Chamber, Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Schenectady County Community College.
The program has two campuses – east campus is at Watervliet High School, west campus at the Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonason – and provides pathways for students
to earn free college degrees in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity.
Officials said that the P-TECH curriculum focuses on engaging students in hands- on, proj-
ect-based learning to be successful in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and providing students with workplace skills that will ensure success, no matter the career path they are applied to.
Through the program, officials said business partners provide students access to cutting- edge technologies and innovations that allow them to see the realworld application of the knowledge they are gaining at P-TECH.
“I am learning computers and computer science here. I want to take that knowledge into a career in medicine and ultimately invent a technology that will help people with disabilities,” Mayo said in the release. “I don’t know what that invention will be, but I have always dreamed of helping people with disabilities.”
“P-TECHis giving me a chance to go to college and follow my dreams to my dream job,” added Mayo.
Officials said the goal of PTECH is helping students who in turn will use their skills to help others.
“Students like Melissa are what this program is all about. Engaging a student in a rigorous education and bringing into reach a goal they have had, but though was out of reach,” said Principal Kurt Redman in the release.
Enrollment for the 2019-20 school year will begin soon.
A pair of open houses to learn more about the P-TECH program will be held Jan. 9 at the Mohonasen Center for Advanced Technology and Watervliet Junior-Senior High School with two starting times - 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For more information on the P-TECH program, go to https:// www. capitalregionboces. org/ capital-region-p-tech/ .