Courtesy photo

Jeremy Faulkner poses with his USDA hat. He fulfilled his occupational goal of becoming a food inspector in July.

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One of the multitude of programs at Sampson Community College is showing the proof is in the pudding as graduates from the program are gainfully employed.

The Animal Science degree program from the community college began in 1993 and trains student to work in the livestock and poultry industry and or to transfer to a four-year university.

Dr. Steve Matthis and Dr. Laurie Hamilton are the two instructors for this program and they developed this continually updated program to meet the needs of the industry.

Matthis said he wanted the public to know about what these students are doing after graduation. For that purpose, The Independent will run a series of student profiles sharing what these students have and are doing with their Animal Science degree.

“I want other students, parents and employers in the county to know what students are doing when they graduate from college. Students always questioned me about what jobs are available when I graduate with an Animal Science degree from Sampson Community College. Students and parents need to know there are good jobs available in an agricultural community,” asserted Matthis.

As mentioned earlier, the SCC Animal Science Technology Program started in 1993. From information provided by Matthis, enrollment continues to increase. Currently they have an enrollment of 36 students in the AAS degree program. Approximately 25-plus students have continued their education at a four-year university and most of these students are employed in their field of study. The program operates with the guidance of an advisory committee, consisting of 10 livestock and poultry industry representatives. The advisory committee provides guidance for the Animal Science Technology program.

Graduates of the program have been able to set educational and career goals that would allow them to train and work close to home. Most have obtained their goals and become gainfully employed and become successful and respected in the community for their accomplishments. Matthis says, “These students have an education and career they can be proud of what they have been able to accomplish.”

One of the 2007 SCC graduates is Jeremy Faulkner. Faulkner attended and graduated from Clinton High School in 2006. He entered the Animal Science Technology program and began his trip down the road to fulfill his dream of becoming a U.S.D.A. food inspector.

While attending SCC, Faulkner worked with Villari Brothers Foods. He graduated in May of 2010 and finally got his dream job in July, 2011 working with the USDA. Government guidelines will not allow Faulkner to disclose exactly where he works but he said that he is doing exactly what he set out to accomplish.

“The Animal Science program has been so beneficial to me,” asserted Faulkner. “First and foremost, it allowed me to achieve my goal of working for USDA. But beyond that, the program has provided me a broad base of information relating to what I do know. It was a stepping stone for me in accomplishing my goal to become a food inspector,” shared the former SCC student.

“Dr. Matthis and Dr. Hamilton have done a great job in developing the program and are continuing to make improvements to it to better meet the needs of the students. They both are very helpful and have assisted me greatly,” added Faulkner.

Faulkner stated that he would recommend to anyone interested in any form of agriculture, particularly livestock and poultry, to consider enrolling in the Animal Science program at SCC.