Massage Therapy, Veterinary Assistant and Diesel Heavy Equipment
Technology programs move to Berlin or Littleton
North Conway, N.H. (March 21, 2023) – White Mountains Community College (WMCC) is
transitioning three programs to different academic locations this fall. The
community college’s main campus in Berlin will be the new home of the Veterinary Assistant program while the Massage Therapy and Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology program will be based out of the Littleton Academic Center. These strategic moves come as part of an effort to realign programming in North Conway and enhance the impact of the programs within the service area.
WMCC is finalizing an enhanced partnership with Kennett High School to offer college courses and expand Early College offerings. Between this new partnership and the relocation of the Veterinary Assistant and the Massage Therapy programs, WMCC has decided to not new renew its current lease on the North Conway Academic Center building as courses will be available at alternative sites. Additionally, the Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology program will officially
make the move from Berlin to the newly expanded Advanced Technology Building as part of the Build Community Littleton Expansion, a 10,000 square foot
state-of-the-art technology hub.
“We remain highly committed to serving the Mount Washington Valley
and based on historical applicant location data, we are creating greater
overall efficiencies and impact by transitioning key programs to Berlin and Littleton,” said Chuck Lloyd, WMCC president. “While the programs will be housed in different physical locations, new and existing students in these programs will not
experience any disruptions to their learning or to the services that we provide. We will continue to prepare the North Country community for job opportunities and transfer pathways to four-year colleges and universities. We are dedicated to helping students succeed and moving these programs will support that mission.”
WMCC’s Veterinary Assistant certificate provides training in veterinary
healthcare and the handling of a variety of domestic and exotic species. The
program covers such topics as animal anatomy, behavior, animal husbandry,
surgical assistance, diagnostic lab tests, nutrition, medical terminology and
patient care and monitoring. As part of WMCC’s program, all second-semester
students are required to accumulate a minimum of 100 hours in a clinical
setting to refine the theory and skills learned at WMCC.
WMCC’s one-year Message Therapy certificate provides training in techniques to manipulating the soft tissues of the body to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness. The program includes learning about body systems, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; massage and bodywork assessment; pathology and business and ethics in practice. Students gain hands-on experience through two internship classes that enable them to bring theory into practice.
As the only New England college accredited by Associated Equipment
Distributors (AED), WMCC’s Diesel Heavy Equipment Technology program is offered as a two-year associate degree and a 29-credit professional certificate. This program prepares students to diagnose and service diesel powered trucks and equipment through learning to use a system’s approach to analyze and repair diesel engines, transmissions, brakes, hydraulics, related technologies and controlling
systems. Extensive lab courses and a co-op experience are supported by rigorous coursework in physics, math, communications, and social science.
The decision to not renew the North Conway Academic Center building came after an 18-month comprehensive review of enrollment, financials, and overall facility. The lease for WMCC Academic Center at 2541 White Mountain
Highway expires this summer.
White Mountains Community College (WMCC) is located in Berlin, New
Hampshire with satellite a campus in Littleton, and is one of seven colleges in
the Community College System of New Hampshire. WMCC offers associate degree and certificate programs, plus training options, preparing students for 21st
century job opportunities as well as transfer pathways to four-year colleges
and universities. WMCC is fully accredited by the New England Commission of
Higher Education (NECHE). Courses within WMCC and the Community College System are the most affordable in New Hampshire. Courses are available day,
evening and online. WMCC courses transfer to four-year colleges and
universities in New Hampshire and across the country.
