Below is a copy of my November report to the board of Trustees.
National:
Trustee Jim Vogt and I attended the 2014
Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Leadership Conference in
Chicago October 20-22. Prior to the conference, I attended my first national Advisory
Board meeting of the Higher Education Research and Development Institute
(HERDI) to which I was recently appointed. The opportunity to serve as a member
of this Advisory Board is one of the most rewarding professional development
experiences I have had since becoming a college president. During those two
days, I worked with 20 other presidents to advise vendors seeking to develop
products for the community college sector.
A recent article in the Community College Journal reports that
the newly signed Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) puts a deeper
emphasis on earning postsecondary credentials
across various job training and higher education programs including a
focus on helping adult basic education students transition to postsecondary
education. For community colleges, that means occupational education and adult
basic education programs working better together. As a result of this new
federal legislation we will see more focus on job-driven training activities.
Senator Enzi played an important role in the 11 year Workforce Investment Act
reauthorization process.
State:
On November 5 I traveled to Gillette to
meet with Senator Enzi and Higher Learning Commission President Dr. Barbara
Gellman-Danley to discuss the implications of the Work Force Innovation and
Opportunity Act.
The community college presidents in
conjunction with Wyoming Community College Commission Executive Director Jim
Rose have been discussing our legislative strategy for the upcoming legislative
session. We are seeking legislation to recalibrate the enrollment growth
portion of our variable funding every four years and endowment challenge funding.
The Wyoming Community College Commission
will meet by conference call on November 20 to discuss tuition rates
for next year and the potential of tuition incentives for continuous
enrollment.
Community:
In conjunction with the Powell Economic
Partnership Board meeting this month, Ady Voltedge and the Wyoming Business
Council held a discussion for Powell’s business retention and expansion
initiative focused on workforce development. The discussion centered on
Northwest College as an asset, specifically the Center for Training and Development
in meeting immediate workforce training needs in the community.
In addition to attending both Forward
Cody and Powell Economic Partnership board meetings, I met with several
community leaders and business owners in Powell and Cody in regard to concerns as
well as potential partnerships. On October 15 I was Darian Dudrick’s guest on
the Big Horn Radio Network’s Speak Your Piece program where I discussed student
success, concurrent enrollment and the importance of meeting area workforce
needs. I continue to prioritize attending community events and being visible
and approachable in the community. I find that Blair’s Market is one of my best
venues for informal interaction with community members.
Campus:
As you know under my annual performance
goal of organizational effectiveness, one of my priorities is to develop a
policy framework. I have hired a consultant who will be working with our campus
this year to assist us with this process.
Vice President for Administrative
Services finalists were on campus for interviews the last two weeks. I expect
to make a decision later this week. I appreciate all of the time and dedication
the search committee has put into this search.
I attended the NWC Alumni Board meeting
on Saturday, October 25, followed by a reception at the Nelson House. In my
report to the Board, I discussed the importance of student success and our
focus on improving our retention and graduation rates. I am always inspired by
the strong ties our alumni have to NWC and Board members’ desire to help
current students.
It was my privilege to speak at the Phi
Theta Kappa induction on October 15th. Megan Eisenhower, a student
in our radio/television program, interviewed me last week on NWC-TV and Alexandria
Preis, a journalism student interviewed me for an article she is working on for
the Trail. I always enjoy
opportunities to interact with students.
Foundation:
The Foundation
Resource Collaboration Group, of which I am a member, met on October 15 to
finalize the draft of the NWC Foundation’s next strategic plan. I am very
pleased with the participation of college trustees and administrators in this
process. The plan incorporates the future needs of the college and our students
excellently.
NWC
Foundation Executive Director Shelby Wetzel and I continue to meet with
prospective donors on various projects.
