MARIETTA, OHIO — Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) is proud to announce that for the second consecutive year, every graduate of its Respiratory Therapy program passed the rigorous national board exams. To become credentialed, students must complete two separate exams, totaling nearly seven hours of testing: a multiple-choice exam and a clinical judgment exam. Success on both is required to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, a vital step toward employment in the field.
“This accomplishment is more than a number—it’s proof of what happens when dedicated students and committed faculty work together with purpose,” said Adrienne Hellinger, Director of Respiratory Therapy at WSCO. “Our graduates are entering the workforce fully credentialed, ready to provide quality care, and earning family-supporting wages. This success also underscores what community colleges like WSCO can provide: affordable, local education that leads to fulfilling, high-demand careers.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapists earned a median salary of $80,450 in 2024. For WSCO graduates, a two-year degree has opened the door to life-changing opportunities.
Behind this achievement is a carefully designed, data-driven program that prepares students for success from day one. The WSCO Respiratory Therapy faculty aligned every assessment and rubric area to the National Board for Respiratory Care’s testing matrix, closely tracking progress weekly through Canvas, the college’s learning platform. This real-time monitoring allows faculty to step in with re-teaching and additional practice whenever trends indicate a need.
In addition, faculty embedded higher-level, critical-thinking questions and clinical decision-making scenarios throughout coursework, progressively increasing complexity each semester. By the final term, nearly 100% of assessment questions required advanced reasoning, mirroring the real-life demands of the profession.
While faculty dedication and innovative teaching strategies laid the foundation, graduates emphasize that student perseverance was key.
Graduate Dana Smith, now a Registered Respiratory Therapist, shared: “As a 27-year-old wife and mother of four, going back to school meant sacrificing precious time with my family. But two years later, graduating and officially becoming an RRT, it was all worth it. Every struggle and obstacle were met with support from my instructors and mentors, who reminded me of the reward waiting at the finish line. Without them, I would not have RRT after my name.”
Graduate Haley Poling echoed this sentiment: “The 100% pass rate has everything to do with the passion and dedication of the teachers. They and the school give so many resources—from study tools and financial support to the food pantry and encouragement when I felt like quitting. I’m so thankful for all the support that made this possible.”
Faculty and graduates agree: this achievement is a shared success story.
“Our hard work laid the groundwork for success, but it’s the students’ sacrifice and determination that made this possible,” said Hellinger. “Their accomplishment deserves to be celebrated.”
The application deadline for the next Respiratory Therapy Technology program cohort is November 1st. For more information about the Respiratory Therapy Technology program at WSCO, contact Adrienne Hellinger, Director of Respiratory Therapy at ahellinger@wscc.edu or at 740.885.5690.
