February 18, 2025
Philip Anderson and the teaching staff work to create a tailored learning experience for students at JSCC
Philip Anderson has created a classroom environment that his students just don’t want to leave! Anderson has been teaching at James Sprunt Community College for five years after 30 years of credible work in the electrical industry. Anderson is an alumnus of JSCC and passionately pours into the program that gave him his start. As the electrical program began to grow, Anderson acknowledged he needed more help meeting the demand for his classes- quality help. Who would be better to help teach his students than the electricians he equipped?
Anderson said,
“Concerning our program, our students are the most important thing. We have outgrown our facilities and are working to meet those needs. We desire to provide our students with excellent resources. If we don’t have the right people in place, it will not be to the student’s advantage and, eventually- their employer’s advantage. We desire to train students as best as possible to meet our local demands.”
Anderson explains that knowing his staff are former students makes him confident in the future of his industry. Anderson’s teaching staff consists of:
- Jacob Walker
- Brecken Bowles
- Gustavo Velasquez
- Walter Gomez
- Cameron Phillips
- Philip Anderson
“I know these guys. I see their desire and passion. I see how much they crave doing more in the industry and for the students. I’m thankful they have the same mindset as me regarding desiring success for our program.”
Anderson’s first hire was Cameron Phillips. Phillips was one of Anderson’s first students and has now been co-teaching for the program for three years. Anderson is very grateful for the partnership he has with Phillips, as the electrical program at JSCC has doubled in size in less than five years. Electrical components are also present in other areas on campus, such as industrial maintenance, a newer program for JSCC that continues to grow year by year.
Phillips said,
“When I was a student, I was one of six, and the whole class was made up of brand-new electrical students. I loved how hands-on and personal Anderson’s teaching was. My goal as an instructor now is to provide my students with that same experience. That is challenging because our program is growing fast, but it’s important to me that my students have the same quality experience I did.”
Phillips is young but has found teaching to be his passion.
“The kids have made it easy on me. I particularly love the Career and College Promise students (high school students taking college classes). We are like a big family, and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
Phillips began working in the electrical field upon graduating from JSCC. It wasn’t long before he was approached with an opportunity to teach alongside Anderson.
Phillips said,
“I thought a lot of Mr. Anderson, and it didn’t take a lot of convincing to join the team. Mr. Anderson was the first teacher who had ever taught something I truly resonated with. Mr. Anderson is a realist, and he brings everything he teaches you back to real life. I always valued that.”
Anderson said,
“It’s so neat when you consider the time frame of when my team has come through- we have an instructor representing every year. Though they are young, when I consider background, mannerisms, and experience, these guys are the perfect fit for my vision for the program.”
In 2020, the electrical program had five students; now, the program reaches over 140 students. This tremendous growth is being supported through a new workforce development center, which will be located on JSCC Main Campus upon completion.
Brecken Bowles graduated from JSCC in 2023. He said,
“So far, it truly is like a family here. People come up to me on campus that I have never even met and make me feel like a part of the team. I truly feel honored to continue to be a part of JSCC.”
Bowles didn’t aspire to be a teacher but, like Phillips, has found true fulfillment in serving the mission of JSCC. He said,
“I came into the electrical program as a student in my senior year of high school. I wanted to learn how to do some electrical work to be more effective around the farm, but I ended up loving the trade. I was working at Warsaw Heating and Air when Mr. Anderson gave me a call, and like Phillips, it didn’t take much convincing.”
Bowles said,
“Mr. Anderson truly prepared me for the field.”
Gustavo Velasquez graduated in 2022 and has enjoyed sharing his experience with his students.
Velasquez said,
“Having an instructor like Mr. Anderson created such respect in me. I got the bulk of my experience right here at JSCC, and I was able to take that out in the field. As a teacher, I have found the experience to be amazing. I wanted to return to JSCC and join Mr. Anderson in fulfilling his mission for the program. Most of all, I have learned how to love people well.”
The tagline for JSCC is “Join Our Family. Build Your Future.” Anderson intentionally creates this sort of environment with every new group of students he teaches. This slogan also rings true for every department on campus. It’s exciting to see how our electrical program is shedding light on the industry.
