Below is an excerpt from a recent update I sent to our
Big Horn Basin Legislators with a link to a video interview with Professor Allan Childs who was selected by the Wyoming Department of Education for the Post-secondary STEM Educator of the Year Award. Congratulations Allan!
Dear Big Horn Basin Legislators,
■ CLASSES STARTED MONDAY
The campus is experiencing excitement
with the start of fall semester classes. Reuniting with returning
students and greeting first-time students is always such a pleasure. While
enrollment dust has far from settled, we anticipate a decline of about 6%—a
continuing response to a stronger economy after we saw an unheard-of enrollment
spike of nearly 20% in fall 2009 when the economy soured. I’ve mentioned this
dichotomy to you before: Community colleges experience increased enrollment in
economic downturns (usually, with no additional funding to accommodate it, or
worse, when budget cuts are imposed) and decreased enrollment when the economy
brightens (usually, with no ability to take advantage of the state’s general
fund revenue growth). While we’ve come to expect these dichotomous
predicaments, it’s nonetheless troubling. We’re hopeful that review of the
community colleges’ current funding formula will yield a new model that
addresses this dilemma.
■ NEW YELLOWSTONE BUILDING IS COMPLETE!
Construction of our new Yellowstone Building is
“substantially complete,” and we now have the keys to this beautiful and
functional instructional facility. We’re so proud to add it to our campus. To
think that it was completed in 14 months is truly amazing! Because all the
technology pieces weren’t completely in place and there wasn’t time to train
faculty on their use, we’re phasing in occupancy. Our Nursing program was fully
moved in for the first day of classes. Students and faculty in all other
programs moving to the new space—Criminal Justice, Communication, Social
Science and Education—will occupy the building September 22. Mark your
calendars for a Dedication/Open House, including tours, on Tuesday, October 7,
at 4 p.m. Hope to see you then!
■ STRONG STUDENT RETENTION
Recent research confirms that students who participate in
first-year experience programs demonstrate more positive relationships with
faculty, greater knowledge and use of campus resources, more involvement in
campus activities, and better time-management skills than their
non-participating peers. Our fall-to-spring retention rate for students
enrolled in freshman seminars was 91%. It’s definitely the right approach, and
I’m proud of those students and the faculty and staff who helped lead them to
persevere.
■ STRONG EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION
I’m also proud to report that Northwest College employee
responses to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Great Colleges to Work
For employment satisfaction survey show a 23% increase in satisfaction with
shared governance from 2012 to 2014 and 25% improvement in satisfaction with
senior leadership at the college.
■ ANNUAL REPORT
Last year was filled with many accomplishments. Evidence of
our progress can be found in our 2013-14
Annual Report. While it’s impossible to list all accomplishments, the
report demonstrates that we’re getting things done and moving forward with
confidence and a sense of purpose.
■ KUDOS
Statewide award: Dr. Allan Childs, Professor of
Chemistry and Mathematics, was selected by the Wyoming Department of Education
for the Post-secondary
STEM Educator of the Year Award. The honor was noted at the "Roadmap to
STEM" Conference earlier this month. Allan has taught chemistry at NWC for
nearly 30 years. You’ll find a brief video interview of Allan here.
Successful nurses: Last year’s Registered Nursing
student graduates achieved a 93% pass rate on the National Council Licensure
Examination.
Stefani
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