| An online magazine dedicated to sharing best practices and providing in-depth coverage of issues and trends affecting the Washington State community and technical college system. |
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| October 2006 Edition 9 |
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College News |
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| Main Story About Creating Opportunities All in the Family College News Public Opinion Poll Calendar of Events Contact Us Archives |
Bates’ broadcast student lands job in “The Big Apple”The Madison Square Garden Network (MSG) in New York contacted Mike Scott, broadcast technologist instructor at Bates Technical College looking to hire employees with superior technical skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Scott recommended Marcello Liguori, a second-year broadcast technologist student who was within days of completing his two-year degree at Bates. After a telephone interview, Liguori, a 24-year-old from Puyallup, was offered a job, and within three weeks was settled into a Manhattan apartment and into his new career as a television technician for the cable television network. MSG, the first regional sports network in North America, broadcasts radio and television coverage of Garden events, including major league hockey, basketball, football and baseball games, boxing and wrestling matches, concerts and more. Bates’ broadcast technologist program is nationally recognized. The curriculum is accepted by the Society of Broadcast Engineers for students to meet the requirements for broadcast technologist certification. Tacoma Community College partners with Lesley UniversityLesley University and Tacoma Community College have received approval from the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board to offer residency certification programs in elementary and special education. Lesley has offered degrees in Washington state for 17 years, but this partnership marks the first collaboration toward initial licensure for teachers in the area. The Lesley at Tacoma program will be based on a cohort model, offering an intensive format which includes two weekend courses and one weekly course per semester leading up to a semester of student teaching. This schedule will allow students to complete the program within six semesters including student teaching. This new program will also help meet a specific need for special education certified teachers, a specialty facing shortages statewide. According to the 2004 Educator Supply and Demand in Washington State report, the Tacoma area in particular is suffering considerable shortages in this discipline. Lesley University is a national leader in graduate-level professional education, currently offering graduate programs in 23 states. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, one of six regional accrediting institutions in the United States. Everett Community College learning center accredited by NAEYC supports national movement to improve early childhood educationEverett Community College’s early learning center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals. EvCC’s early learning center provides licensed childcare for 75 children one to five years old. Student families receive priority enrollment, but the center also serves some community families and families of EvCC faculty and staff. The center is beginning design work this fall for its 2008 expansion to provide more space for its preschool and childcare programs, early childhood education program, and family life education. To earn accreditation, a program conducts a self-study to determine how well it meets NAEYC standards. After necessary improvements are made, the program is observed by independent, professional evaluators and then reviewed by a national panel. The center earned accreditation through March 2011. Diversity advocate Minority Access, Inc., names BCC one of “Nation’s Leading Colleges and Universities Committed to Diversity”Minority Access, Inc., a private, nonprofit organization that promotes diversity in education, government and business, has named Bellevue Community College one of the “Nation’s Leading Colleges and Universities Committed to Diversity.” With a mission to “honor and publicize inspirational role models,” Minority Access expressed its desire that the designation bestowed on BCC and 18 others colleges and universities will “encourage others to emulate, and thereby increase the pool of talent from diverse constituencies. BCC was one of only five community colleges among the honorees. The others were Maricopa Community College (Ariz.), Brevard Community College (Fla.), Bristol Community College (Mass.) and the Houston Community College System. The awards were presented at Minority Access’ “National Role Models Conference” Sept. 18 in Las Vegas. Clark College’s international programs viewbook honored at a national design conference in Austin, TexasClark College’s new international programs viewbook received an award of excellence in the 2006 design competition of the University and College Designers Association (UCDA). Out of 1,600 entries nationwide, just 143 awards were given. Clark College's lead graphic designer Wei Zhuang accepted the award at UCDA’s 36th Annual Design Conference in Austin, Texas in September. UCDA was founded in 1970 as the nation’s first and only association for professionals involved in the creation of visual communications for educational institutions. Over the years, it has grown to an organization comprised of more than 1000 members throughout the United States and Canada. Skagit Valley College to offer new parks services and protection degreeTo better meet the employment needs of individuals considering a career in the field of natural resource service, Skagit Valley College began offering a new parks services and protection degree at the Mount Vernon Campus this fall. The new two-year degree will prepare students for careers in visitor and resources operation and protection, as well as emergency services in natural resource recreation areas including lands and facilities that are owned, developed, administered and/or operated at all levels of government including tribal and private industry. BCC one of first two community colleges ever selected for Fulbright foreign language teacher program
The Fulbright award will bring Fahad al-Balushi, an English instructor from Oman, to BCC to teach courses in Arabic language and culture during the 2006-07 school year. Al-Balushi is the fourth international scholar to be placed at BCC by one of the various Fulbright programs. BCC’s international scholar-in-residence program is a project of the college’s Center for Liberal Arts. Information on the Center’s academic, cultural and civic engagement activities is available online at www.bcc.ctc.edu/liberalarts. Open for businessVancouver played host to the 2006 Governor’s Economic and Workforce Development Conference on Sept. 7. The event attracted more than 500 registered attendees, the largest turnout in the event’s history. During the keynote address, Governor Chris Gregoire outlined her “Next Washington” economic plan. The draft plan is designed to maintain and improve the state’s ability to compete in the global economy. Of the six critical elements highlighted in her plan, education was at the top of the list. “Education is the single most important economic investment we can make,” said Gov. Gregoire. “Investments in education, particularly early childhood education and lifelong learning, have significant economic implications, far into the future, and they are key to helping low-income families gain ground economically.” The governor and Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard both praised Clark College for its role in supporting workforce development efforts in southwest Washington, and Clark College’s Workforce Development department was among the institutions and businesses recognized for their efforts in supporting and promoting workforce development throughout the state. Wine, Workers, and Walla WallaThe Institute for Enology & Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College received the 2006 Governor’s Award for Best Practices in Workforce Development at the Governor’s Economic and Workforce Development Conference in Vancouver. The Institute was established in 2000 to meet the demands of a wine industry that was and still is considered to be one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the world. In 1993, 11,000 acres in the Walla Walla Valley were planted in wine grapes. Today, there are more than 30,000 acres in production and in excess of 100 bonded wineries in the area. To keep pace with the industry, which a Washington State University study in 2001 indicated would need 3,000 new employees by 2006, the college established an enology and viticulture program. Its first student body numbered 16 full-time students and approximately 300 incumbent employees. Last year, the number had risen to more than 50 degree-seeking students and 500 incumbent industry employees.
Innovation puts White Center residents back in the economic pictureBuilding Next Steps, a pilot project of community organizations and colleges in Seattle’s White Center neighborhood, received the 2006 Governor’s Award for Best Practices in Workforce Development. The award was presented to a coalition of partners (the state’s Department of Social and Health Services-Region 4, Seattle Jobs, Goodwill, YWCA of King County, Port Jobs and South Seattle Community College) at the Governor’s Economic and Workforce Development Conference in Vancouver. The pilot, now in its fourth quarter of operation, provides matching federal funds for every dollar of non-federal funding spent on expanding services to food stamp recipients in White Center. Since its inception, funding has more than doubled, allowing community-based organizations to provide additional services and training opportunities that have led to increased employment.
Everett Community College welcomes Chinese instructor Qiancheng Zhu teacher from mainland China to spend year in EverettChinese instructor Qiancheng Zhu of Beijing, China joined Everett Community College’s faculty this year through a grant from the China’s National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOTCFL). Zhu will teach Chinese language classes and stay in Everett until at least June 2007. His travel and teaching stipend is paid by NOTCFL, which sends volunteer teachers around the world. Daniela Stewart, an EvCC World Languages instructor, made the arrangements for Zhu’s visit. Tacoma Community College offers pre-nursing transfer degreeTacoma Community College’s board of trustees approved a new Associate in Pre-Nursing transfer degree. The degree was the result of a statewide agreement between two- and four-year schools to streamline the transfer process for students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Four-year schools participating in this agreement include University of Washington, Seattle; Washington State University (WSU); Northwest University; Seattle University; Seattle Pacific University; Pacific Lutheran University; Walla Walla Community College; and the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing. Under the terms of the agreement, students can complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Tacoma Community College. Those who complete the Associate in Pre-Nursing transfer degree and meet the grade point average requirements of the desired four-year program will have met the prerequisites necessary to apply to most upper-division nursing programs in Washington state. BCC interior design program earns national accreditationBellevue Community College’s interior design program has become just the second program in the state – and only the third associate-degree program in the nation – to be accredited by the prestigious Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly known as FIDER). The Council for Interior Design Accreditation is an independent, non-profit accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It confers accreditation only after in-depth review of a program’s curriculum, faculty and facilities. The only other accredited interior design program in Washington is offered by Washington State University. More than 500 students are currently enrolled in BCC’s three-year interior design program, which leads to an Associate of Arts in Interior Design degree. Everett school of business design opens new programEverett Community College launched a new business school this fall to prepare entrepreneurs and small businesses for a changing global economy. Everett Community College’s School of Business Design offers a new 90-credit associate’s degree in entrepreneurship, skill-specific small business certificates, continuing education workshops and seminars to support businesspeople at all levels. The school redefines business education, going beyond traditional business planning by focusing on hands-on business experience and innovation. Students have the opportunity to start up, run and liquidate a business. They’ll also use their skills on projects for minority-run businesses in Snohomish County. The school, which recently received a $42,000 grant from the Herbert Jones Foundation, is modeled after a handful of cutting-edge business programs offered at leading colleges and universities worldwide, including Stanford University’s Design School. Tacoma Community College students receive Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awardTacoma Community College students Alethea Wakefield Robinson and Kari Hollar have each been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Robinson and Hollar were recognized through the 2006 Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program. Scholarship awards are based on academic achievement and community service participation within the past 12 months. TCC is one of only two community colleges in Washington to have two recipients of this scholarship. Nine students were recognized statewide. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards a total of 400 scholarships annually to students attending higher education institutions granting two-year degrees. Now is its seventh year of funding the Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program, the foundation has provided $2.8 million in scholarship awards to students attending two-year degree granting institutions. New biomedical technician degree at Bates addresses industry growthBates Technical College is now offering a new health care program to prepare students for careers in the biomedical profession. The new biomedical service technician program will prepare students to diagnose, repair, calibrate and maintain surgical pieces and medical equipment such as radiology equipment, x-ray units, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, CT scanners, ultrasound equipment, electro surgical units, ventilators, infusion pumps, anesthesia apparatus, defibrillators, heart monitors and electric wheelchairs, with emphasis on preventive maintenance techniques. Students in the program will study basic electronic principles, the theory and operation of magnetic and laser data storage systems, physiology principles involved with the theory and operation of biomedical instrumentation, bloodborne pathogens, medical terminology, and biomedical equipment service projects. Graduates will be equipped to work for equipment manufacturers and service maintenance organizations that contract with hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, physician and dental offices, outpatient care centers, and medical and diagnostic laboratories. Golf lessons: Developer and community college partner on innovative course
The Illahee course will give students and faculty at the college’s nationally known turf management program the opportunity for real-world experience, in a relationship that extends far beyond basic course training. Abito President Steve Robertson said plans call for a classroom experience within the Illahee maintenance facility, so faculty can do training and lab work onsite. A course superintendent will be hired and may also do some teaching at WWCC. Turf management students will work on the grounds-keeping and maintenance crews, and first-year students can do their 6-month internships at the course. The college’s service technician program will assist in maintaining Illahee’s fleet of machinery, and students in the pro golf management and water management programs will be involved as well. In addition, 28 acres of premium wine grapes will be planted on the Illahee property, creating an opportunity for Abito to partner with WWCC’s Enology & Viticulture program. A portion of the golf course will be open as early as 2008, if the permitting process continues at the current pace.
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Bellevue Community College (BCC) has been named one of the first two community colleges ever to participate in the U.S. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program.
The Governor’s Awards for Best Practices in Workforce Development are now in their sixth year. This year, the Workforce Board received 17 nominations from workforce professionals around the state and selected two best practices to honor at this first-ever joint economic and workforce development conference.
At South Seattle Community College, the number of food stamp recipients enrolled in vocational training and adult basic education classes has increased. And at Seattle Jobs Initiative, Port Jobs, Goodwill and YWCA enrollments in job-readiness training classes and job placements have also risen.
Oregon-based residential developer Abito has forged a multi-faceted partnership with Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) in the development of a public golf course for Illahee, a master-planned community on 358 acres neighboring the college.