Member Matters July 2024

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

Proactive Partnerships
North Country Community College hosted "Higher Education at a Crossroads: Blazing a New Path Forward for North Country Community College," a summit that drew more than 60 people, including donors, elected officials, faculty, staff, and representatives of the college's education and workforce partners (North Country Community College).

Global telecommunications company Ericsson and Concordia University are co-developing the first of several customized AI training courses for the business' employees (Concordia University).

The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce has become the fourth chamber to recently form an agreement with Athens State University. Thanks to the arrangement, chamber member employees, along with their immediate family members, will enjoy a 10 percent tuition discount. The university's programs include certification classes, adult learner-oriented degrees, and credit for prior learning options (The Cullman Times).

Another chamber of commerce-related partnership is underway, this one in Detroit, where the Detroit Regional Chamber is working with Deloitte to host workshops to prepare college students for career success (Detroit Regional Chamber). 

Employ Prince George's, Inc. employer partnerships are resulting in a growing number of registered apprenticeships. The two most recent focus on the health care and law enforcement sectors. Employ Prince George's has helped register five apprenticeship programs since launching its apprenticeship innovation program in 2018, (Employ Prince George's).

A partnership between Tiffin University and Avita Health System is bringing tuition discounts to employees of the health care system (Tiffin University).

Umpqua Community College, Roseburg Public Schools, and industry partners are collaborating to craft navigable career pathways that include dual credit opportunities for high school students (The News Review). 

Rockford University hosted a well-attended business summit that brought together K-20 educators and industry leaders to discuss intersecting business and education goals (WIFR).

Accelerating Adult Learning
A new online program dedicated to adult learners who have completed associate degrees and to Comebackers with at least 60 college credits will kick off at Butler University in the fall, offering an 18- to 24-month route to a bachelor of science in organizational leadership, a credential that the university developed in consultation with industry partners (Butler University).

In May, 35 Cal State Fullerton Project Rebound students graduated, marking the highest total since the program came to the university in 2016. Project Rebound dates to 1967, when it was founded by a formerly incarcerated individual who completed college credits in prison and went on to receive a doctorate. The program helps connect people leaving prison with education and employment pathways. Participants have greater retention rates and GPAs, and their recidivism rate of "below one" compares favorably to the overall rate of 42% as reported by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 2019 (The Orange County Register).

East Carolina University is using Project Kitty Hawk to enhance an already robust suite of resources for adult learners. Four of the university's programs are integrated with the project, offering accelerated classes, five semester-start dates throughout the year, and rapid-response online coaching (ECU).

Three new computing technology degrees at Mississippi State University are tailored to working adult learners, featuring in-person, hybrid, and online options and high workforce relevance (MSU).

OneSpartanburg, Inc. is growing its Re:Degree program, which is dedicated to removing barriers to completion for the nearly 48,000 potential Comebackers in Spartanburg County (Spartanburg Community College). 

Well-tailored Workforce Credentials
Dalhousie University has announced Dal Microcredentials, digital badges that students and alumni can use to seamlessly share their transcripts and other academic data. Possession of a Dal Microcredential signifies that an individual "successfully demonstrates a skill or competency that is considered desirable to employers" (Dalhousie University).

Penn State DuBois and Penn State Scranton have collaborated on a workforce development certificate designed to offer statewide, multi-sector support to companies for compliance with new climate-related reporting requirements (Penn State).

In Their Own Words
The president of Cayuga Community College wrote of the college's perennial focus on workforce development (Oswego County Business).

In an interview, the president of National Louis University shared the story of her career path and how coaching and career support are helping institutions better meet learners where they are (Medium).

An academic dean at Arapahoe Community College discussed some of the partnerships the college is developing and the advantages community colleges offer in supporting the talent pipeline for space-related occupations (Colorado Community College System).

Awards and Other Additional Achievements
The Illinois Community College Trustee Association recognized Rock Valley College and Bourn and Koch for their partnership in support of workforce training (Rock Valley College).

Danville Community College received the Pinnacle Award from the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce (Danville Register and Bee).

Ball State bestowed an award of its own, one that reflects the importance the university places on experiential learning. It presented Parkview Health Nutrition Services the Dr. William Bock Outstanding External Organization Award, an annual honor that "recognizes Indiana companies or organizations that provide exceptional learning experiences to its students" (InkFreeNews).