After 15 years in direct patient care, Victoria Letteriello continues helping patients in her new remote role as a medical coder, ensuring claims are paid and care remains accessible.
Dental Assisting students, along with peers from other PCC health sciences programs, will showcase their skills for the public this month at the annual PCC Health Sciences Career Fair.
After 15 years in direct patient care, Victoria Letteriello continues helping patients in her new remote role as a medical coder, ensuring claims are paid and care remains accessible.
Dental Assisting students, along with peers from other PCC health sciences programs, will showcase their skills for the public this month at the annual PCC Health Sciences Career Fair.
WINTERVILLE — As demand grows for faster, more flexible professional skill-building, Pitt Community College is bolstering its short-term training options while pursuing scholarship funding to make those programs accessible to more students.
Leading the effort is newly hired Associate Vice President of Continuing Education Stacey Gerard, whose goal is to make PCC the “go-to place for workforce training and lifelong learning across our region and the state.” Short-term training, Gerard said, provides focused instruction that doesn’t take years to complete, helping adults quickly acquire skills local employers need — whether they want to change careers, advance in their current field or secure a better job.
“Continuing education programming is vital to workforce development because it connects learning directly to the skills employers need today and in the future,” Gerard said. “For jobseekers, it offers practical, accessible training to earn certifications, build confidence and enter the workforce more quickly. For those already employed, continuing education provides opportunities to upskill, earn advanced credentials and stay competitive in a changing job market.”
After 15 years of providing direct patient care, Victoria Letteriello says the physical demands of her job prompted a new direction in health care. She discovered medical coding at Pitt, which allowed her to stay in the field she loves while gaining a better work-life balance.
PCC’s short-term medical coding program gave Letteriello the opportunity to complete her training online in just 12 months. She finished in December 2024, passed the Certified Professional Coder exam the following month and joined WellSpan Health.
“I was ready for a change that wasn’t so physically demanding but still let me help people,” Letteriello said. “Now I can make a difference from behind the scenes.”
For Keegan Leggett, Pitt’s CDL training program provided the perfect pathway to get back behind the wheel after “life happened” and his previous CDL expired.
“I had to start over and go back through school,” Leggett said. “I’m glad I chose PCC, because it was great hands-on instruction and very informative. I learned things I didn’t know in my previous 15 years of driving.”
While stories like Letteriello’s and Leggett’s are the goal, Gerard notes that not every student has the financial resources to pursue training, making scholarships a vital part of PCC’s continuing education programs.
“For many, paying for training remains a challenge — which is why scholarships are so critical,” she said. “We’re working with the PCC Foundation to secure funding for scholarships dedicated to continuing education students. These scholarships reduce financial barriers and ensure access to training for individuals of all backgrounds.”
Gerard says that with cost removed as a barrier, students can focus on building skills and earning credentials employers need immediately.
“These scholarships are truly life-changing,” she explained. “They allow students to finish training faster, enter good-paying jobs sooner and ultimately provide stability for their families. At the same time, they help meet the workforce needs of businesses in our region.”
In addition to supporting individual learners, Gerard noted that continuing education scholarships have a ripple effect across the community. They create a larger pool of skilled workers, offer families financial security and ensure that businesses can hire employees prepared for today’s rapidly evolving industries.
“When more people have access to education, everyone benefits,” Gerard said. “Scholarships open doors for our neighbors to improve their lives and, in turn, help lift up the whole community.”
PCC’s Health Sciences Division will showcase programs Wednesday during a career information fair for Pitt County high school, private and homeschool students, as well as members of the community.
The fourth annual event will feature simulations that introduce attendees to Pitt’s health sciences facilities and demonstrate how health care professionals work collaboratively to provide quality care to patients. It is being sponsored by ECU Health, Physicians East and Eastern Radiology.
“It is such a unique opportunity for the community and our high school students to explore the wide range of health care professions that PCC prepares students for and to see how these professionals work together to deliver outstanding patient care,” said Tami Flynn, PCC Health Sciences Career Fair co-chair.
The program will take place in the William E. Fulford and Herman Simon buildings on Pitt’s main campus. Public and private high school students will visit in the morning and early afternoon during reserved times. Homeschool students and members of the public may attend anytime during the day or during a two-hour period between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. specifically set aside for homeschool students.
Flynn said representatives from each of Pitt’s 23 health sciences programs would be available throughout the fair to discuss curricula, career options and special admission requirements. She said attendees would also have opportunities to participate in hands-on activities, apply for PCC admission and learn about student support services, including financial aid, counseling, disability and accessibility, student activities and athletics.
There is no cost to attend the fair and pre-registration is not required. Parking is also free and will be available in the lot in front of the Fulford Building.
The PCC Music Department will present the Emerald City Big Band’s fall concert at 7 p.m. Monday in the Chris Smith Multipurpose Room of the Eddie & Jo Allison Smith Center for Student Advancement.
The program will feature a variety of jazz and contemporary selections, including “New York, New York,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Too Close for Comfort,” “Bye Bye Love,” “Narnian Dance” and “Rock With You.” Vocal performances will be provided by RaSheeda Waddell, Emory Davis and several PCC music students.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to support PCC music programming.
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