STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – TOPIC SUMMARY
Topic: Strategic Fund Update: Rogue Community College
Date: March 19, 2009
Staff/Office: Camille Preus, CCWD and Peter Angstadt, RCC
Action Requested: Information only Policy Adoption Policy Adoption/Consent Calendar
ISSUE BEFORE THE BOARD: A progress report on the Strategic Fund allocation made to Rogue Community College (RCC). The funds are being used to develop targeted growth initiatives, increase district workforce development efforts, and maximize RCC’s ability to increase student enrollments.
RCC reports the following for the first year of funding:
Community & Continuing Education:
· The college created a Community Education website providing online enrollment for new students in non-credit classes. Additionally, a new intranet folder structure allows collaborative work across two counties. Resulting in:
o 14 new trainings in the Workforce computer labs, including new contacts in the Jackson County Housing authority that will result in future continuing education.
o New client request for a business communication course and new program development in renewable energy certification training.
o Thirteen new community education classes in Jackson County, with five new instructors.
o Twenty-two new classes in Josephine County, with eleven new instructors.
o 4 different trainings with Southern Oregon Head Start 271 students 4.09 FTE
o 1 training with OCEA Classified Union 15 students .24 FTE
o Dental CEU training 95 students .37 FTE
o Master Gardeners’Conference 211 students 2.9 FTE
o DHS Training: Opiates & RX Drugs 35 students .41 FTE
o Childcare Provider’s Conference 183 students 1.8 FTE
· Improved local agency connection (Power Up, SOREDI, etc.) resulting in 38 scheduled short-term trainings serving at least 665 students = 4.0 FTE.
o 15 trainings, serving a total of 152 students = 1.53 FTE.
o Scheduled for the rest of the year: 15 trainings representing 108 lecture hours serving an estimated 150 students, creating 2.12 FTE.
o 8 “Computer Academy” trainings serving 168 students = 1.0 FTE.
o Effective March 2009, SOHPEC Computer Academy classes will be classified as Power Up Academy trainings and counted as such, reducing duplication of effort.
o Collaboration with Embry Riddle University to create an Associate of Science degree articulated with the Professional Aeronautics program at Embry Riddle, designed for delivery at TRC.
o Collaboration with OSU and other universities and agencies, along with Josephine County Renewable Energy Task Force to create and deliver a program in Sustainable Small Farm and Ranch Education.
· Strategic funds allow for an increased presence on the local Business Response Teams, outlining options for laid-off workers. The goal for 2010 is to expand the offerings of the Power Up Academy trainings (now in conjunction with RCC) for all eligible identified incumbent workers.
Welding (NOTE: Welders are ranked as # 3 in the OED list of Top Jobs in Jackson and Josephine County and #2 in Oregon between 2006-2016.):
o Increased the student capacity by 50% with theopening of asecond welding lab in Jackson County. 21 students attended there in winter term.Full-time faculty hired and lab upgraded and supplied with CCWD funds.
o 35% increase in enrollment in winter term in existing welding program; part-time instructors were hired with strategic funds to support the increased student demand.
o As high school programs are cut in both counties, this increased welding lab capacity is the basis for dual admission programs, similar to existing Table Rock Campus high school partnerships.
o At industry request, a 2-credit “Work Ethics for Welders” will be offered fall, 2009.
Outreach/Access
ESL Expansion: For a number of terms, all ESL classes had waiting lists of students not being served. An additional class was added in Fall, 2008, and enrollment was 13 students. For Winter, 2009 ten students are enrolled with eight in regular attendance.This addition has addressed the unmet need.
Medford Opportunity High School: Students from MOHS are attending RCC courses in Construction. The construction instructor indicates these students—although they may have struggled in the traditional high school setting—are some of the program’s most dedicated, successful students. RCC is now in the process of identifying new students and preparing them to enter any or all of the concurrent enrollment programs (Electronics, Construction, Manufacturing, Auto/Diesel) in spring and fall.
South Medford High School: this high school has committed to allowing RCC to put our instructor in their woodshop/construction facility to deliver our construction classes to their students beginning in the fall. RCC will be hosting 150 sophomores (the entire class) for the afternoon at the Riverside Campus. They will hear presentations and receive a tour of the downtown facility as well as the RCC/SOU Higher Education Center. Finally, they are bringing 30 students to RVC for testing and tours in two weeks.
North Medford High School: is in the process of organizing a meeting between all district high schools and RCC to determine how the entire district might work together with RCC to efficiently deliver programs to as many students as possible across the district
Ashland High School: has agreed to have RCC deliver construction classes on their campus.
Eagle Point High School: have narrowed the list of 120+ students for the placement test to 60 and need to discuss another possible date/time to allow the other 60+ to take placement test as well as any interested 10th graders. RCC is also discussing online delivery of RCC courses direct to the high school campus.
Brighton Academy: RCC has been working closely with Brighton Academy to develop a template for online delivery of RCC’s entire AAOT to a cohort of students at their school. There are currently 5 students taking MTH111 under this model. The college will Compass test another 30 students for potential entry into WR121 and MTH112.
Butte Falls High School: will bring 7 students to the Table Rock Campus (TRC) for the auto/diesel program. In addition they committed to bringing every Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior, and targeted Seniors, to TRC on April 2nd for Compass testing and preparation for concurrent enrollment in the fall. They have presently identified at least 45 students they intend to introduce to concurrent enrollment.
Prospect High School: the principal will bring his students to the campus for tours, presentations, and Compass testing. Beginning in the spring term, Prospect High School students will be spending all day every Friday taking construction classes at TRC.
Crater High School: brought 30-40 students for Compass testing, tours, and presentations at the Riverside campus with two more Compass Day events are scheduled, including one at Table Rock dedicated to concurrent enrollment.
Phoenix High School: 24 students came to the Riverside campus for tours, testing, and presentations in the form of a Compass Day. Over the past couple of months, RCC has delivered multiple onsite presentations for classrooms and career/college fairs.
Grants Pass High School: has three students concurrently enrolled in the Auto program at the Redwood Campus. The high school is expected to bring 40-50 students for Compass testing this spring.
North Valley High School: holds the Gear Up grant for the next 6 years and have asked for help to create events and tours appropriate for high school students and middle school students. RCC tested 15 students, some in preparation for entering, as a concurrently enrolled construction students, in the spring and fall, and some in preparation for entering as mainline students after graduation this spring.
Illinois Valley High School: tested, toured, and presented to 20 students at the Redwood Campus (more than 100% increase over last year).
Gladiola Alternative School: 28 Gladiola students have been tested and toured the Redwood campus.
Database Management and Leveraging: recruitment has created a comprehensive database of all the contacts. The college is using the database to generate a series of consistent “touches” with prospective students: emails, phone calls, traditional mail, and social networking avenues are all being utilized at this time. In the future, instant messaging, texting, and twittering will be assessed as potential communication avenues. The database is also being used to track student outcomes, examine trends, and extrapolate solid, data-driven information about what constitutes effective recruitment practices. In time, these data will allow us to refine our efforts and grow more efficient and productive every year.
The strategic funding has provided not only the opportunity to launch and maintain the long-term growth projects detailed above, but it has also made possible the coordination and implementation of day-to-day, short-term, and immediate-return recruitment, which is now flourishing.
The following summarizes additional events and initiatives made possible by strategic funds:
· Data Entry: entered information into our High School Recruitment database for over 1000 students to whom Recruitment has presented information and/or tested and toured. The magnitude of the database now demands that student workers maintain it day-to-day. Students who provided email addresses have received multiple RCC related informational emails and a phone call about our FAFSA/Scholarship workshops.
· Each week, college recruiters spend three days visiting nearly every Jackson and Josephine county high school. Relationships are developing with the high school counselors, academic advisors, ASPIRE, and TRiO, which are vital to promoting a positive image of our institution to their students.
· Tours: In addition to Compass Days, the college has given multiple tours and onsite presentations for Community Works, Bright Futures, Job Council, etc.
· Events: Industry Showcase--students receive extensive, hands-on tours/presentations for a specific technical training program and industry (i.e. Auto/Diesel and heavy lift helicopter).
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Recruitment Events / # of ParticipantsEvery Wednesday: Chamber of Commerce Josephine County / 1500
Every Thursday: Chamber of Commerce Jackson County / 2000
Southern Oregon Veteran's Career & Benefits Fair RCC/SOU HEC Building / 150
Grants Pass Vet Center / 10
New Student Welcome Day / 45
GP Veterans Services meeting @ the Municipal bldg / 8
RWC Tour for the Job Council / 15
Ashland Veteran's Office / 12
Medford Multicultural Fair / 225
OUS Tour: Phoenix HS / 50
OUS Tour: North Valley HS / 50
Grants Pass Vet Center / 9
Cooridnate ASGRCC Student Tours - Weekly T-TH 1-3pm / 15
High School Coordination Council / 10
Medford Rotary Club "Importance of Education" / 75
College Night in Oregon - Train the Trainer Event / 25
Ashland High School Career Day / 150
GP -- Qwest Presentation - Educational Opportunites at RCC ! / 50
Bright Futures Tour / 25
Veteran's Day Parade / 400
RCC Presentation @ Freshman Academy NMHS / 90
Medford -- Qwest presentation - Educational Opportunities at RCC! / 75
College Night in Oregon / 550
GP Job Council / 45
3 Rivers Community Hospital College Resource Fair / 125
College Network / 25
Grants Pass Vet Center Reps @ Redwood Campus / 25
Asante / 125
Veterans Affairs - DOM White City / 50
Senior Fair / 5
ASRCC Student Tours / 12
Medford Visitors and Convention Bureau / 25
Integra Telecom / 5
Harnish Visitors & Information Center -- Eagle Point / 25
Grants Pass Community Library / 50
RCC - Young at Heart Senior Fair Committee Meeting / 10
FAFSA Training (for College Goal - Oregon) / 5
College Goal Oregon / 55
BRT Rapid Response @ Boise Cascade / 45
Job Council students Tour / 21
Phoenix Chamber of Commerce / 25
Veteran's Club Presentation for "War & Soul" / 50
VA DOM - Veteran's Services / 25
Eagle Point Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center / 25
Veteran's Services Roundtable Meeting / 25
Veteran's Club Meeting / 8
Crater HS RCC presentation / 105
SOVAR Veterans Roundtable / 25
Illinois Valley HS - RCC Foundation Scholarship Presentation / 75
College Resources & Options Program Presentation - TRC / 12
Career/Technical Program Development
· The activities in Career/Technical Program Development include adding additional course offerings needed for students to pursue their career/technical education and expanding college work experience offerings.
271 courses / Strategic fund-funded course and FTE totals for 2008-2009(Summer ’08, Fall ’08, Winter ’09, and Spring ’09 registration to date) / 198.29 FTE
· This growth in capacity, along with targeted Outreach/Access efforts, increased local high school interest in all offerings, in addition to students participating daily in Table Rock’s Electronics, Manufacturing, and Automotive/Diesel programs.
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