Section B – Innovations, Honors and Achievements

Above, moving trailers
arrive with specialized
equipment at ACC as
part of General Motors’
relocation of its Service
Technical College.

Regional General Motors Training Center
Moves to Arapahoe Community College

General Motors has relocated its Denver-based four-state regional training center, known as the Denver Region GM Service Technical College (STC), to Arapahoe Community College. The relocation occurred September 8 and classes began September 11.
 
“General Motors chose to expand their partnership with Arapahoe Community College in this manner because of the quality of our programs and our affiliation with their educational programs,” said Automotive Technology Director Jerry Viola. “All regional General Motors training at the technician level will be done right here. This is one more validation that our Automotive program is ‘the Harvard’ of Automotive Technology Training.”

ACC’s regional center will provide training for GM automotive technicians throughout a region including Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska. Center instructor Tony DeGeorge will provide the instruction for the GM technicians.

Viola explains, “Because Colorado is a desirable setting and technicians can study at any training center in the country we’ll have people coming from all over the United States to our program. Any time General Motors puts out new technology, technicians will have the opportunity to be trained on it right here at Arapahoe Community College.”

Paul Oblad from General Motors’ Los Angeles Training Center has been assisting in setting up the new training center at ACC. “ACC already has had the General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) here for quite some time,” Oblad said. “It makes sense for this regional GM Training Center and ACC’s GM ASEP program to be together. It will be mutually beneficial, and we have a great relationship with Jerry and the other instructors. It’s a great fit for us both.”

“Because we’re an ASEP school, we can share tools and equipment for the benefit of our college program and GM’s training efforts. The end result will be that our students receive a leg up on their competition,” Viola said.
The associate degree programs at ACC are designed to provide competent automotive technicians for dealerships and independent general automotive repair facilities. The curricula for these programs were designed in conjunction with dealership representatives. The entire program at ACC is two years in length with approximately 50 weeks of technical and academic training. The remaining time is allocated for on-the-job training at sponsoring dealerships or independent shops. Each semester of training at ACC is followed by on-the-job work experience to reinforce the technical curriculum. For more information, click here.

Colorado Springs Utilities Turns to TSJC and PPCC to Create
New Rocky Mountain Lineman School Addressing Workforce Shortage

On October 29, Trinidad State Junior College held a Grand Expo for its new Rocky Mountain Lineman School that included a keynote address from Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Director Don Mares. The Lineman School seeks to address an imminent worker shortage in this skilled trade. The Rocky Mountain Lineman School is the result of a partnership between TSJC and Colorado Springs Utilities to provide the first-ever electric lineman pre-apprenticeship certificate training for the El Paso County Region. The program offers both certificate and associate degree options.  To launch the school, a 15-week lineman course began in August. The program also offers an associate degree option offered through Pikes Peak Community College.

According to Carnegie Mellon University's Electricity Industry Center, about half the nation’s 400,000 power industry workers, largely baby boomers, are eligible to retire in the next five to 10 years. Experienced journey-level linemen can earn $60,000 to $100,000 annually. Linemen do a very wide variety of tasks. They do everything involved with constructing and maintaining overhead and underground electrical systems that deliver power to their customers. This includes standing poles and installing cross arms and insulators, pulling and sagging wire, setting transformers, installing vaults and setting meters. These are only a few of the larger tasks they perform. The typical day is eight to ten hours but during emergencies their days can be as long as sixteen hours straight. During outages linemen typically work this type of schedule for several days. They work in all sorts of weather and at all hours of the day and night during emergencies. It is common to work on the ground as well as climbing poles and often accomplish their work out of a bucket truck.

Graduating from the new Rocky Mountain Lineman School provides prospective employees with a pre-apprenticeship certificate. This is a pre-cursor to being hired by a power and electric utility company and completing a lengthy, yet-paid, apprenticeship program. The pre-apprenticeship program offered by TSJC lasts one semester and includes 500 hours of instruction.  This certificate proves to potential employers that an aspiring male or female lineman has what it takes and it gives those exploring the career a real feel for the line of work. After completing this training, graduates are eligible to be hired by an electric utility company and complete their formal apprenticeship training which typically takes three to four years to achieve journey level status. TSJC touts the Rocky Mountain Lineman School as a comprehensive program that enables those seeking employment with an electric utility to be recognized by the industry with a “very marketable” accredited certificate.
Rocky Mountain Lineman School students study: online Career Math complete with tutoring; Power Theory and High Voltage Apparatus via lecture; Safety and Industry Certifications via lecture and lab; Underground Power Systems via lecture and field training; and, Overhead Power Systems via lecture and field training. Additionally, students receive pre-employment certifications and CDL licensing.  Colorado Springs Utilities as well as Trinidad State Junior College promise to work hard to place graduates of the school with power companies across Colorado.  Students enrolled in the program receive instruction weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Rocky Mountain Lineman School is an expansion of TSJC’s lineman program it developed earlier in concert with industry in Las Animas County. For more information, click here.

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Section D – Technology Update

Learning Technology Council to Evaluate Learning Management Systems

In the summer of 2008 the Learning Technology Council (LTC) initiated an RFP process for the Learning Management System.  There were several reasons for this decision.  First, our current contract with Blackboard expires on June 30th of 2009. The size of this contract is such that the LTC feels that we have a fiscal responsibility to look at our options before signing another multi-year contract. We also feel that the market for learning management systems has changed significantly since the last RFP and warrants another look. Then in July of this year Blackboard announced the development schedule for their new, combined product, Blackboard Next Generation. Their product development schedule suggests that if we stay with Blackboard we will find ourselves migrating to a new BB product in about two years. Thus we are probably migrating to a “new” LMS whatever the result of this RFP process. And last, Blackboard Vista has not been as stable a product for us as we would like it to be, leaving us wondering about its ability to handle the growth in usage we expect over the next two years.

The RFP process formally began last spring, when we surveyed faculty for their input on the current LMS and their thoughts about a potential change. Later that spring and into the summer the LTC invited potential LMS vendors to make presentations as part of an overall market review. Finally in August we formalized the RFP committee as the members of the Learning Technology Council plus a representative from SFAC, Kathy Winograd (English Faculty from ACC). This means that every college has at least one representative on the RFP committee. 

It is very important to the selection committee to have input into the LMS decision from as many faculty and staff as possible. To facilitate this input the committee will ask the finalists in the selection process to provide a sandbox with access to their product for usability testing. The access will include faculty, student, and administrative roles.  The selection committee will have a feedback survey available for your use once you’ve had a chance to review the products. The tentative dates for the sandboxes and surveys are Nov. 17th through December 3rd.  We would appreciate it if you would block out some time for this review during that period.

As the RFP process for the new Learning Management System moves forward, the selection committee has outlined a plan for evaluating vendors and making our recommendation to the Executive Steering Committee (made up of CCCS senior administrators and several college presidents) by mid-January. The tentative schedule is as follows:

• Sept 18th, RFP released;
• Oct. 30th, proposals due back from vendors;
• Nov. 14th, first vendor down-select, possibly to 2-4 finalists;
• Nov. 17th through December 3rd, usability testing (sandboxes available);
• Dec. 3rd through December 5th, vendor presentations to the selection committee;
• Dec. 7th through mid-December, possible visits by a technical team to the finalists' hosting facilities;
• Mid-December, final analyses and reports from sub-committees;
• Early January, Final summary analysis;
• Mid-January, recommendation to Executive Steering Committee;
• Summer 2009 and fall 2009, pilot new LMS.

For more information contact your LTC representative. For updates (including committee membership) visit their wiki by clicking here.

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Section E – Grants and Gifts News from Around the System

Otero Junior College Receives $1.7 Million Grant
Funding to Upgrade and Expand STEM
Offerings and Transfer Opportunities Including Outreach

Otero Junior College is one of just two colleges in Colorado that received funding for a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) grant, through the United States Department of Education’s College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) program. As recipients of the award, OJC will receive a total of $1,723,204 over the two-year grant period.

Funds were awarded to support OJC’s new “Strengthening STEM” initiative, which is designed to increase the college’s capacity to provide courses of study in science, technology, engineering and math. Among the goals of the grant project are to increase the number of students pursuing degrees in these fields and to encourage them to transfer from OJC to four-year institutions for further education.

The grant project was developed by OJC administration, staff and faculty. Jim Herrell, OJC’s Associate Vice President of Instruction, will serve as the Project Director for the program. Activity Directors are faculty members Dr. Joel Gray for the science and math component of the grant and Ralph Newby for the technology aspect. This team collaborated on the grant application with OJC Director of Resource Development Teri Erickson.

According to Herrell, specific components of the grant include: upgrades in OJC’s technology infrastructure and science equipment; the development of additional STEM courses, initially focusing on engineering and computer programming prerequisites; outreach to students in area middle and high schools; and, the development of articulation agreements with four-year institutions that will allow for seamless transfer for students. OJC is already working with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) on the transfer piece of the grant and anticipates developing additional relationships with other four-year schools as well.

OJC President Jim Rizzuto said that the grant will put their college on the forefront of STEM programming for community colleges in Colorado. “As one of only two colleges in the state to receive this award, I believe the grant will allow us to expand and offer enhanced STEM programs to our students and ensure that the college is on the cutting edge of course offerings in these high-demand career fields. I am also excited about the growing partnership we have developed with UCCS, one of the premier universities in the state in STEM programming,” said Rizzuto.

OJC was initially informed of its successful application to the CCRAA grant program by representatives from the offices of both U.S. Senator Wayne Allard and U.S. Senator Ken Salazar. In offering his congratulations on the award, Senator Salazar said, “With this funding, Otero Junior College will have the resources it needs to help train and educate the workforce of the 21st Century. It is imperative that we make a real commitment, as a state and as a nation, to ensuring that our children, the future workforce of America, have the tools and education they need to compete in an increasingly global economy.”

This grant program is a new initiative made possible by funding developed from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. It is likely a one-time grant that will not be available as a grant competition in future years. Eligible applicants were schools certified as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (having a 25 percent or greater Hispanic student population). OJC was one of only two Colorado schools receiving grant funding. The other was Trinidad State Junior College.

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$4 Million from U.S. Department of Education
Funds CCA "Aurora Lights" Partnership

In late September, Community College of Aurora held a news conference at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus to announce the formation of the Aurora Lights partnership to develop innovative science programs for Aurora Public Schools students and actively support their interest in science. The partnership is tapping a grant of nearly $4 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to fund programs educating students in the various health professions, including programs at the Community College of Aurora.

Alongside CCA, the Aurora Lights partners include: the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus; Colorado Area Health Education Center System (CAS); Aurora Public School District (APS); Central Colorado Area Health Education Center (CCOAHEC); University of Colorado at Denver Undergraduate Program (UCD); and, the community agency Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN)

According to experts, the health care industry is expected to generate more jobs in the United States by 2016 than any other industry. “It is so critically important for this community that Aurora Public Schools, the Community College of Aurora, and the University of Colorado bring together their collective resources to ensure Aurora students can achieve their dreams in science and healthcare careers,” said CCA President Dr. Linda Bowman.

The program will illuminate a pathway for students that begins at the middle school level, leads to the innovative science programs at the Community College of Aurora, and paves the way for them to become competitive candidates for admission to the University of Colorado at Denver Anschutz Medical Campus Schools of Medicine and Allied Health. Participating students will be exposed to many academic and cultural enrichment activities aimed at increasing awareness, developing skills, and motivating them to pursue a pre-health profession education.

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$2 Million from U.S. Department of Education
To Strengthen Lamar Community College via Academic/Career Program Creation

Lamar Community College has received official notification that their U.S. Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant application has been approved. The five-year $1,994,100 development grant will be used to design and implement new academic and vocational programs at LCC. 

New programs will include: a Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics (STEM) transfer option recognizing Southeast Colorado being the home of the upcoming Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory; Construction Trades/Historic Preservation; and a Canine Training and Management program modeled after LCC’s signature Horse Training and Management curriculum design. 

The programs will be designed and phased into College offerings during the five-years of the grant.  “This is an exciting time to be at Lamar Community College,” comments President John Marrin. “This grant illustrates the momentum we are seeing, as the seeds that our staff and faculty have planted are starting to sprout. Investing in new programs allows us to offer our communities and potential students more educational options. And new enrollments help the College to further solidify our financial future.”

According to the grant timetable, STEM curriculum development and renovations to LCC’s science labs will begin in the first year, with courses being offered beginning in the fall of 2009. Curriculum development and renovation of facilities for Construction Trades will begin in year two, with courses offered in the fall of 2010. And, development of curriculum and creation of facilities for Canine Training & Management will begin in year three, with courses beginning in the fall of 2011.

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College Philanthropy Update
Colorado Northwestern Kicks Off Public Phase of Major Gifts Campaign

Colorado Northwestern Community College is currently in the midst of the most ambitious fundraising effort of its 46-year history. The college is in its first major gifts campaign. Dubbed, “Community Partners Building Futures” the campaign is primarily focused on generating funds needed in the areas of Construction, Program Expansion and Service Center Support.

The Construction initiative aims to raise $6 million for: CNCC’s upcoming Career & Technical Center in Craig; CNCC’s upcoming Wellness Center in Rangely; a renovated WC Striegel Engineering Center in Rangeley; and, a renovated Rector Science and Math Center in Rangely.  The Service Center Support initiative aims to raise $300,000 for CNCC’s Centers in Hayden, Meeker and South Routt County.

According to Steve Schrock, director of the CNCC Foundation, the planning for the campaign began with a feasibility study, which took place in the spring of 2007. During the study, individuals including business and community leaders from the college district, as well as the college’s employees, were interviewed. Results of the feasibility study showed overwhelming community support for the college and recommended the college proceed with a major gifts campaign narrowed to the three target areas mentioned above. In the summer of 2007, CNCC’s Foundation Board of Directors made the decision to proceed with the campaign.

Phase one of the campaign involved employees and board members of the college. Participation of CNCC faculty and staff was a whopping 99 percent, and board participation is anticipated to be 100 percent.

“This is truly an exciting time,” comments CNCC Foundation Board President Peg Rector. She continues, “The improvements that will be accomplished with this campaign as it inspires giving in Rangely, Craig, Meeker, Hayden and South Routt will help fulfill our promise to meet workforce demands.”
 
CNCC President John Boyd explains, “Through the strategic planning process, the college has established the goal to be a center of affordable educational and technical excellence for our area. State and local funding have allowed the college to maintain itself at its current level; nonetheless, this campaign is about moving our educational offerings and services to the next level. Ultimately, investments into the college are investments into our community’s future. We have developed many new instructional and workforce-related programs throughout our service area to address critical local needs. But this expansion requires us to build new facilities and renovate existing facilities on both the Craig and Rangely Campuses.”

Boyd adds, “I’m happy to report we recently received a commitment of $23.5 million from the state legislature to build a new academic building on the Craig Campus. This state assistance is important to the development of the new Craig Campus but is not sufficient to accomplish all our funding needs. Therefore, the Craig Campus build-out also includes $3 million for a Career and Technical Education Center which is now requiring private sector support. For more information, click here.

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