Member Matters December 2024

A Monthly Lookback at Some of the Good Work in the CAEL Membership Community

Accelerating Adult Learning
The University of Olivet and Glen Oaks Community College are launching the GO2UO program, which is dedicated to meeting the needs of adult learners beginning or resuming a degree pathway. The program, which includes seamless transfer, flexible scheduling including online options, and coordinated advising at each institution, is made possible by the Michigan Center for Adult College Success (The University of Olivet).

The Michigan Center for Adult College Success is also directing funding to Northern Michigan University to aid the development of competency-based approaches to credential completion. The support will encompass credit for prior learning, short-term credentials, and comprehensive learner records (NMU).

Proactive Partnerships
A long-running partnership between The University of Akron and Cleveland Clinic Akron General is allowing students to earn 30 academic credits while completing EMT and paramedic certification programs (UA).

Rowan University has entered partnerships with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 102 and Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers that integrate apprenticeship, certificate, and degree programs. Participating learners can combine and stack their college and trade credentials to expedite progress toward the university's bachelor's degree in construction management (Rowan University).

County College of Morris, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and CMC Steel have created the Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Apprenticeship program, the largest in the college's history (County College of Morris).

Winning Workforce Development Strategies 
The certified direct care professional training model developed by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay's Continuing Education and Workforce Training program and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has helped register more than 4,000 workers to become certified direct care professionals since July of 2023, helping to address a critical labor deficit. That success has led to the program's collaborative model being adopted in New Hampshire, where the state's Department of Health and Human Services will offer it (UW-Green Bay).

The University of the District of Columbia has unveiled a new five-year strategic plan. "Delivering on the Promise" rests on three pillars, including "alignment with workforce needs," and will help the university "to continue serving as a national model for urban student success, a powerhouse for workforce development, and a research hub tackling the District's most pressing challenges" (UDC).

The Truist Foundation has extended a grant to Howard Community College to support its planned Cathy & Danny Bell Workforce Development and Trades Center. Set to open in 2026, the center will feature industry-informed curricula, tailored training facilities, and apprenticeship programs (HCC).

Virginia State University has been awarded a capacity-building grant from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to grow paid internship opportunities and enhance the workforce readiness of its students (VSU).

In Service of Veterans
National University, where active-duty military, veterans, and their families comprise half of undergraduate enrollment, received a U.S. Department of Veterans affairs grant to provide career and employment resources that support successful transitions to the civilian workforce for recently separated service members, military spouses, and military caregivers (National University).

Miami University has received an EmpowerVetEd grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce that supports and recognizes its College of Education, Health, and Society's dedication to enrolling and serving military-affiliated students (Miami University).

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette held the grand opening of a student center dedicated to supporting military-connected students at the university, whose vision guided the development of the new resource (University of Louisiana at Lafayette).

The Art of Articulation
A community college tuition match scholarship agreement between the Community College of Vermont and Charter Oak State College enables associate degree completers from CCV to continue in an online bachelor's program at Charter Oak State College at the prevailing CCV in-state rate of tuition (CCV).

An agreement between Albany State University and Grand Valley State University will offer ASU students the opportunity to seamlessly transition into health care management and mass communications master's degree programs at GSVU (ASU).

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside and the Wisconsin Technical College System have announced a new articulation agreement that will allow students who complete an associate of applied science in health information technology at any WTCS institution to transfer into UW-Parkside's online bachelor of science in health information management and technology (UW-Parkside).

In Their Own Words
While reflecting on year one in the role, the president of Dalton State College also wrote about the college's future plans, which are informed by dialog with key industry, workforce, nonprofit, and education partners (Dalton Daily Citizen).

Columbus State University's first assistant vice president for student success discussed strategies for enhancing the student experience and improving persistence (Inside Higher Ed).

Additional Achievements and Awards
DeVry University was honored with the People's Choice Award at the 23rd annual Chicago Innovation Awards. The award was bestowed in praise of the university's Women + Tech Scholars program, which "empowers female students through mentorship, early access to job opportunities, credentialing and scholarships to take the first step toward a tech-focused career" (DeVry University).

The State Authorization Network recently presented its 2024 SANsational Awards, which highlight success in addressing challenges related to "distance education compliance/state authorization issues" along three categories: compliance innovations, licensure programs, and location. CAEL members Rio Salado College (compliance innovations), Southern New Hampshire University (location), and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (location) were honored (WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies).

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville announced that it generates a $1.3 billion economic impact for the Southern Illinois/St. Louis region (SIUE).

East Carolina University was honored with two awards from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities: the 2024 C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award and the Innovation and Economic Prosperity Award-Talent (ECU).