POPLARVILLE, Miss. – Pearl River Community College’s Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology program was recently named No. 1 in the state, according to Air Filters Delivered.
“The success of this department is part of the mindset of career and technical education at Pearl River Community College,” Dean of Career and Technical Education Dr. Ed Pinero said. “We have allowed our students to do the hands-on lab work that is going to make them more efficient and effective in the workplace as well as in the classroom. We have gotten to the stage now where our programs are at a maturity level and they really implement the best practices for teaching.
“The students are learning this and now it’s being recognized nationally. I’m very excited for what the instructors and the HVAC Department have achieved.”
Air Filters Delivered got its start in 2010 and has made its mission to make quality products at accessible prices delivered directly to homes and businesses. The company recently analyzed data to see where students would find the best value education to pursue an HVAC career across the United States and PRCC’s HVAC program made it onto the list. The criteria used to compile the list was based on associate degree offerings, cost of attendance, and both the average salary and median pay of students six years post-enrollment.
Pearl River’s Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology program offers a 45-hour technical certificate and a 60-hour Associate in Applied Science degree that is offered at the Poplarville and Hattiesburg locations.
“It’s humbling,” Instructor of HVAC & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology on the Poplarville campus Eric McCoy said. “If I can give my students a solid foundation to build on, the sky is the limit. I expect commitment and honesty from my students. That’s the kind of student I want to turn out of this program.”
The program prepares individuals to work installing, maintaining, and operating small or medium air conditioning, heating and refrigeration systems. Instruction prepares individuals to work in a commercial setting preforming special tasks relating to designing ductwork, assembly, installation, servicing, operation, and maintenance of heating and cooling systems according to the standards for the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and Air Conditioning Refrigeration Institute (ARI). Instruction includes air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration devices; equipment, techniques, and systems; and maintenance and operation of these systems.
“Obviously number one is great,” Pinero said, “but we want to continue to strive for excellence and grow as a department. We want to thank Dr. Breerwood for allowing us to do the things that we do in our labs, supporting us in buying modern technology and have the modern classroom facilities to achieve number one status.”
Pearl River has 42 career and technical programs across its three locations as well as a wide range of academic offerings. For information about any of these programs visit prcc.edu.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats) and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).
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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.
