College fair offers a look
at educational opportunities

About 1,000 Pitt County students and parents had the chance Wednesday to learn more about educational opportunities beyond high school.

The Pitt County College Fair, held at the Greenville Convention Center, attracted people from public, private and home schools who chatted with representatives of about 50 two and four-year colleges and universities from North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina.

Chris Murphy, assistant director of admissions at East Carolina University and one of the event's coordinators, said the event was one of the final stops of an eight-week tour throughout the Carolinas sponsored by the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

It was intended to introduce those interested in furthering their education to opportunities they may not be aware of, Murphy said.

“It is a chance for them to talk to schools they are really interested in, but it is also a chance for them to find out more about schools they might not know a lot about,” Murphy said. “We have a good mix of large schools and small schools, and that is good because students are looking for different things. You can get all of it here.”

Nearly all seniors and some juniors from Pitt County's six public high schools were bused to the fair Wednesday morning along with students from The Oakwood School and Parrott Academy. They spent 45-minute increments at the event, and left with bags filled with flyers and other items handed out by the college representatives.

Later in the day, parents and all others interested had the chance to attend the fair and a financial aid workshop sponsored by the College Foundation of North Carolina.

“We want them to look and see all of the options they have,” Pitt County Schools Executive Director for Students Services Travis Lewis said. “They are very blessed to be in a state with so many wonderful universities both public and private that you have to choose from. If someone wants a small, private college, it is represented here. If they want a larger university, it is represented here. If they want a community college experience, it is represented here. They have a plethora of options available to them as to where they want to continue their education.”

Murphy said many seniors are just now starting to apply for college. Deadlines vary among institutions, but they are typically in February or March.

Contact Brock Letchworth at bletchworth@coxnc.com or (252) 329-9574.