By April Valdez

The application deadline for Oklahoma City Community College’s President Leadership Class (PLC) is quickly approaching.

The application is due when spring break begins, March 14.

The President Leadership Class initially started back in 2011.

The course definitely has its perks.

Not only do students learn valuable lifelong skills, but students that are selected receive eight hours of in-state tuition and fees. They can also receive up to a $500 stipend for the OCCC bookstore.

They will have the opportunity to work closely with not only OCCC leaders, but other leaders in the surrounding area. Students enrolled in the PLC program will also have the opportunity to participate in activities and events.

Dr. Liz Largent, the coordinator of the program, has been working with the President on this course since 2016. Largent’s role includes the infrastructure aspect. She selects which students are accepted into the course, and handles the scholarship monies.

“The President really takes the lead role and chooses the topics as well as the overall vision for the class. I think getting to meet and work so closely with the college’s president is huge. Students should definitely apply,” Largent said.

The President’s Leadership Class is a fall 8-week course designed to help students develop and enhance leadership skills. It also causes students to expand their networking, and build strong interpersonal connections.

Largent says that she considers the course to be a pragmatic leadership class.

To be eligible to apply, students must have completed the following by the end of the spring 2022 semester: 15 credit hours at OCCC in 1000 level courses or higher, ENGL 1113 (or equivalent), and have maintained a minimum cumulative or retention GPA of 3.0 from the date of application through the first day of the Fall 2022 semester.

Students who apply must also submit a letter of recommendation from an OCCC faculty or staff member.

“Sometimes I’ll have students come to me and say, “Well, I don’t have anyone to ask because I’ve only taken online classes.” Most of my classes are online and I’ve written many, many, many recommendation letters for my former students. So don’t be intimated by that process,” Largent told the Pioneer. She encourages students to reach out to their online professors.

Students who choose to apply for the program also must complete 5 short answer responses. Each question requires 250 words maximum.

Once students are selected to be a part of PLC, students must be enrolled in at least 8-credit hours during the fall 2022 semester. Students are also encouraged to maintain a good attendance during their President Leadership Class.

Students must intend to graduate from Oklahoma City Community College.

“I highly recommend the class. I took the class this last fall, it was an awesome and exceptional experience as a student,” Mary Jones, a former PLC student, said.

Largent also encourages OCCC students to apply. She believes this course is a valuable experience.

“As a first-generation college student myself, I wasn’t really exposed to formal etiquette, how to introduce myself to people when I’m at a networking event, and things that many people don’t have the opportunity to learn. This course is extremely helpful in teaching students skills like that,” Largent said.

“Every student comes with preconceived notions about the course, but I think the most important thing is to bring an open mind and a genuine ‘you’ to the class. You’ll have a great time, and you’ll benefit immensely from it,” Largent said.