MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Step UP is a grassroots program that evolved from the 25 member, cross-functional Developmental Education Committee that, in 2003, sought to create a program to improve the success and retention of developmental education students. The objective was to design a program at Howard Community College (HCC) that would provide positive support and encouragement to students as they make the often difficult transition and adjustment to college. After researching programs and interviewing students, a model for Step UP was created.
The program was piloted with five coaches and students in spring 2005. A...
Greenville Technical College and Clemson University announced in November 2013 an agreement to educate the advanced manufacturing workforce to serve the automotive, transportation, and other high-tech sectors. According to a memorandum of understanding signed by Greenville Technical College President, Dr. Keith Miller, and James Barker, then president of Clemson University, the vision is for collaboration between a leading research university, an innovative technical college, and advanced manufacturers, creating a center that enhances the development and implementation of advanced manufacturin...
On the second floor of an otherwise unassuming office building in Bellevue, WA, Donna Hudson is leading a lecture on environment and community. It's the type of scene you'd expect to see in a movie depicting college life: The professor asks a question of the class and in short order, a lively discussion is underway that quite possibly brings up more questions than are asked. It's the kind of student-teacher rapport most of us rarely get to experience—let alone on a regular basis.
As class progresses, however, it becomes clear that this class is more than just a picture-perfect college experien...
From left: Brett Mellington, LEDA Manager, Business Development and LCTCS Board member; Bud Barrow, CEO, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center; Kathy Bobbs, CEO, Regional Medical Center of Acadiana and Women's & Children's Hospital; Laurie Fontenot, Dean of Nursing, Allied Health, and Safety, SLCC; David Callecod, President/CEO, Lafayette General Health; Dr. Natalie Harder, Chancellor, SLCC
A new program at South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) will help fill a growing need within Acadiana's healthcare industry. SLCC administrators, along with the Lafayette Economic Development Au...
Tags: Economic Development, Partnerships
March
2014
In 2009, the Northwest College of Houston Community College (HCC) proposed the development of a Center for Entrepreneurship in response to local business leaders who requested assistance in reviving an economically declining area of town. The leaders sought ways to create jobs and revitalize the local business community. Seven key strategies were developed to address this challenge:
The creation of strategic partnerships with key economic drivers: management districts, chambers, Community Development Financial Institutions, Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Minority Supplier Development Co...
In May 2013, over 70 students in the first class of Early College High School at Midland College (ECHS@MC) received associate degrees during Midland College's (MC) 40th commencement ceremony. A week later, in a separate ceremony, the 17- and 18-year-old college graduates received high school diplomas when ECHS@MC observed its first high school graduation ceremony at the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center on the MC campus located in Midland, Texas.
ECHS@MC is a joint educational commitment by Midland College and the Midland Independent School District (MISD). The majority of students attending th...
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December
2013
Lone Star College System (LSCS) is joining colleges across Texas to encourage students to successfully complete their educational goals through participation in the Commit to Complete initiative. This initiative was created as part of Texas Completes, which brings together three community colleges and five community college systems—Alamo Colleges, Austin Community College, Dallas County Community College District, El Paso Community College, Kilgore College, Lone Star College System, Odessa College, and South Texas College—with a common vision to rethink college practices, transform community c...
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December
2013
The Great Ideas for Teaching (GIFT) Center and the Teaching & eLearning Support (TeLS) team at Yavapai College recently ran a very unique professional development challenge that included Ben and Jerry's ice cream and generated over 300 pages of writing from faculty in just nine weeks!
In a nutshell, the two centers challenged the college faculty to write 25 sentences a week about teaching and learning for nine consecutive weeks. Out of about 300 possible full time and adjunct faculty, 17 rose to the challenge.
The faculty who signed up were asked to write the words online, where they could...
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December
2013
As Iowa's economy slowly recovers, renewed hiring has shed light on a new challenge: the state's increasing gap between the skills employers need and the skills potential workers actually possess.
Roughly 50 percent of Iowa's available jobs and growing career areas are considered middle skill, requiring more than a high school education but less than a four-year degree. However, 66 percent of Iowa's unemployed or underemployed have no recognized educational credentials past high school. The same study highlighted that worker shortages stretch far beyond the current workforce, meaning the comin...
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November
2013
The Centre of Excellence for Clean Energy Technology (Energy House) at the Dawson Creek Campus of Northern Lights College (NLC) in northeastern British Columbia has achieved LEED® Platinum certification by the Canada Green Building Council.
With the certification, Energy House becomes one of only a few dozen LEED Platinum buildings in the New Construction and Major Renovation category in Canada.
NLC Regional Facilities Manager, Murray Armstrong, andPresident and CEO, Laurie Rancourt, with LEED Platinum plaque.
According to the certification review report completed in June by the Canada Green B...
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November
2013
The curtain rose in July on another Front Range Family Theatre production, and this year's production of Jackie and the Beanstalk at Front Range Community College (FRCC) brought total attendance to these summertime productions to nearly 20,000 children and adults since 2004.
Student Giovanni Martelli (Jackie) sells the family cow in a productionof Jackie and the Beanstalk.
Family theater is just one example of outreach activities central to the strategic priorities of FRCC, the largest community college in Colorado with campuses in Fort Collins, Longmont, and Westminster, and a learning center...
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October
2013
Delta College, located in Central Michigan, is renovating its Health Professions Building with financial support from the State of Michigan and generous donors. The $20 million renovation will support new instructional methodologies and technologies by updating the facility that was built in the late 1970s. In keeping with its commitment to sustainability, Delta College is seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the building.
"We are confident we'll achieve LEED silver certification of the renovation, but we're still striving for the higher gold certifica...
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October
2013
The William and Helen Thomas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Center at Indian River State College (IRSC) creates a unique synergy between the Florida college and life science institutes to support research and high-skill jobs. Located in the region's growing biotechnology corridor in Port St. Lucie, the $19.5 million Thomas Center serves as a multi-faceted resource for scientific research, economic development, collaborative projects, and student internships. Students gain laboratory experience in the latest procedures using cutting-edge technology, preparing them for researc...
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September
2013
Higher education has traditionally been divided along very clear lines: colleges and universities offer bachelor's and graduate degrees, while community colleges offer two-year associate degrees and certificates. That line is not as clear anymore, with 21 states now allowing their community and technical colleges to develop bachelor's degrees, up from 11 states just eight years ago. The community college baccalaureate is an increasingly popular trend because it's an effective way for community colleges to fulfill their workforce development mission.
Washington's Higher Education Coordinating B...
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September
2013
With the prediction of more than 4,000 new manufacturing jobs to be created in Upstate South Carolina in the next few years, there is a call for a new way of preparing people to satisfy the needs of the manufacturing sector. In order to grow a workforce that has the skills to close the gap between what employers need and what's currently available, industry requirements must be aligned with education.
At Greenville Technical College, we are doing that through partnerships with companies like General Electric (GE), BMW, Michelin, and Bosch Rexroth. These programs allow companies to create the s...
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August
2013
As Iowa's economy slowly recovers and more local employers start hiring, the gap between the state's workforce and employer needs is becoming increasingly evident.
According to a report by Iowa Workforce Development (2012), roughly 50 percent of Iowa's available jobs and growing career areas are considered middle skill, requiring more than a high school education but less than a four-year degree. However, 66 percent of Iowa's unemployed or underemployed have no recognized educational credentials past high school. The same study highlights worker shortages stretching far beyond the current work...
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July
2013
The Family Engagement Institute (FEI) was established in 2010 in partnership with Foothill College to promote equity and access to quality education from early childhood through college. FEI works to close the opportunity divide by providing educational opportunities for underserved families with children, starting at birth and continuing through adolescence. By focusing simultaneously on strengthening the capacity of families, schools, and communities, we are able to build family engagement strategies that are systemic and integrated to ensure student success.
FEI defines family engagement...
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July
2013
How do we engage students in meaningful, community service activities that reinforce classroom learning? Germanna Community College (GCC), in northern Virginia, makes a dedicated effort to engage in programs and support activities that help students connect classroom knowledge with community needs and service learning. GCC engineering students participated in the local CANstruction competition held January 18-21, 2013, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The event was held as one of many National Day of Service events in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During the CANstruction competition, team...
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July
2013
The League for Innovation recognized and highlighted many outstanding programs, events, and achievements by its member colleges in the League Alliance Member Spotlight, a segment in our monthly newsletter—League Connections. Colleges showcased in this year's Member Spotlight included:
Housatonic Community College
Lone Star College - University Park
Cuyamaca College
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
Central Ohio Technical College
Phoenix College
Columbia Gorge Community College
Heartland Community College
North Iowa Community College
Nebraska Indian Community College
Brookdale Communi...
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June
2013
Neosho County Community College (NCCC) was recognized at the Community College Futures Assembly annual meeting held January 31, 2011, in Orlando, Florida, as a finalist in the Planning, Governance, and Finance category, sponsored by Council for Resource Development. The presentation, titled, "If You Build It, They Will Come," highlighted the construction of the Ottawa Campus completed in nine months using no state or local tax dollars. As one of the 10 finalists, NCCC presented at the Assembly and one winner was then selected from each category by a panel of national experts. The Community Col...