The Community Education program is offering nearly 30 classes geared to personal or professional enrichment, most of which meet 2 to 4 evenings in February, March, April and May.

There are several new courses and Kim Wenko, Community Education Specialist for WSC, is excited about what the program has lined up for this spring.

Verlin Kvande will be teaching a self defense class from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 in the WSC Old Gym. According to the Community Education brochure, those participating will learn to "boost your confidence and improve awareness. Be prepared, not afraid."

"We even thought it would be a good thing for high school seniors to take before they go off to college next fall, giving them the confidence to take care of themselves," Wenko said. Fee for the self defense course is $45 and registration deadline is Feb. 14.

Another new course offered this year is QuickBooks 2009, which will be taught by Lee Murphy on March 1, 8 and 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Room 105 at WSC. According to the brochure, "QuickBooks is designed for the small to midsized business owners. You'll get the training you need to start using this accounting program to set up a chart of accounts, reconcile your checking account, create and print invoices, receipts and statements, track your payables, inventory and receivables, create estimates and generate reports."

"I've had quite a few phone calls on that class already," Wenko said. "There are several small business owners who want to learn QuickBooks so we're happy to be able to offer this class." Fee is $115 and registration deadline is Feb. 10.

"We have some new leadership training classes as well," Wenko said. The first class, Communicating With Impact, will be offered Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the WSC Crighton Building.

According to the brochure, "Effective communication skills allow individuals to meet their internal and external customers' personal and practical needs through daily interactions. This foundation course is a prerequisite for the other three courses (Embracing Change, High-Impact Feedback and Listening, and Navigating Beyond Conflict. Cost of the class is $199 and registration deadline is Feb. 7.

Stacey Brown will help dog owners train their best friends in two classes, Puppy Obedience scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 2, 5, 9, 12, 16 and 19, for puppies 10 weeks to 5 months old, and Basic Obedience scheduled for the same dates from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. These classes will be held in the WSC Petroleum Safety and Technology Center, located at 421 22nd Ave. E. Fee for the classes is $110 each and registration deadline is April 27.

In a new class this year, Tricks, Tricks and More Tricks, offered in May. Brown will help you get your dog to fetch/get it, take it/give it, speak, roll over, play dead and more. Cost is $110 and registration deadline is April 27.

A watercolor painting class, taught by Cheryl Bannes of Williston, will be offered March 7, 14 and 21 in the Meadowlark Room of the Crighton Building on the WSC campus. The class is geared to the beginning or intermediate painter. Fee is $50 and registration deadline is March 1.

There are many other classes to choose from, including Facebook, Intro to Computers, two classes on Ebay, Beginning Word 2007, Beginning PowerPoint 2007, two Excel 2007 classes, two Photoshop classes, Spanish classes, a wire jewelry class; several health and wellness classes including Adult CPR/First Aid, Couples Massage and a fitness challenge; financial planning classes; and a couple of wine classes as well as a beer tasting class; and a digital photography class.

Community Education also offers about 300 online classes. "They start every six weeks and run year round," Wenko said. "There are classes in accounting and finance, business, computer applications, design and composition, health care and medical, language and arts, law and legal, and many more."

She added that most classes do require participants to register at least two weeks in advance. For a complete list and description of courses offered, go to www.willistonstate.edu or call Wenko at 774-6236.