Artinger takes reigns at PSC

The Century campus of Pensacola State College has a new face, with Coordinator John Artinger stepping up to fill the position left vacant by former director Paula Byrd, who retired August 30.

Retired in 2017 as a high school administrator, Artinger and his wife moved from Maryland down south to be near his daughter and grandchildren. An adjunct professor at both the Milton and Pensacola campuses of PSC, Artinger has been in education for 35 years.

"They needed someone to fill this position, because Paula was retiring," said Artinger. "They asked me to apply for it and I thought it would be a challenge and I love challenges, so I said yes."

Artinger said he felt comfortable taking the position because he had already been in administration.

Currently living with his daughter in Navarre, Artinger is building a house in Milton and hopes to move in December.

Artinger says his main focus is to expand the Century Center and make it a viable asset for PSC and the local community.

"We offer programs that can help people, like the GED programs," said Artinger.

He said the Buck Showalter Scholarship Fund helps students by helping them obtain their GED, help ing to pay for the tests needed.

"We are in need of donations for the scholarship fund," said Artinger. "The students who are in need, we try to help them. We are getting way down in funds. We try to help the students who are in need."

Artinger said he likes people and that he is not afraid to ask when he needs something.

"The best thing I can do here is form partnerships," he said.

He emphasized that the welding program and the cosmetology programs will produce employable students, and the minimum class enrollment is 10 students.

Virtual classroom instruction, which saves on travel to other campuses is offered, as well as continuing education classes, such as the basic karate classes in session now, are offered.

He said if there are enough students interested in a particular subject he can request that course be taught, which is a direct way of bringing the community what it needs.

Artinger said he is traveling in the coming weeks to local communities of Atmore, Jay and Flomaton, as well as Century, to see what he can do to get students to PSC in Century.

"I want to explore how we can help the community and how the community can help us," he said. "If people are interested they are welcome to contact us. We want to know what the local people need and work on getting that in place."

Artinger says his door and his mind are open all the time. He is open to suggestions and ideas of how to help partner the community and the college.

"I want something that people need," said Artinger. "Something that will help people get their certification and go get gainfully employed. That's what I'm looking for. If we have enough interest in something, I'm not afraid to ask."

Artinger encourages anyone who wants to reach out to contact him at 850-471-4679.