Gina Nespoli
Published: December 6, 2006
Surrounded by law offices and corporate businesses, the PJC Downtown Center has many opportunities available for students. But many students wonder what exactly is offered in this block-shaped building on Garden Street.
The building has been open for 13 years and offers associate in science degrees in paralegal, legal secretary and many others.
“Classes at Downtown Center are directed to the student’s profession. We look towards the work force,” said Helga Howard, office assistant. “Leadership classes are available. We [even] have a class about how to become a good boss.”
Howard has been working at the Downtown Center since 1999 and has seen the center expand and grow.
The aftermath of Hurricane Ivan left the Downtown Center in rough condition. There was talk between departments of moving the legal assistant program to the main campus, which was done for a short period of time after Ivan. However, professors in the legal program have expressed disagreement with the relocation.
“The facilities on the main campus are inadequate,” said Dr. James Hightower, business department professor at the Downtown Center.
“[Here] we are close to the law community,” Hightower said. “We make an ideal location for the legal assistant program. Here we have classrooms, libraries and everything we need under one roof,” Hightower said. “That doesn’t exist on the main campus.”
But legal courses are not the only ones available through the Downtown Center.
“We offer classes at businesses as well,” Howard said. “Spanish for Professionals is a class taught at other locations, such as businesses and banks. [The class] gives professionals a better understanding of Spanish-speaking people. And with the ever-growing Spanish population in America, this class is beneficial to students.”