New college programs paying off in increased enrollment

Two campus earlybirds enjoy a little quiet time before the crunch of school begins today at McCook Community College. Nancy Bridgeford, left, of Fort Collins and Kate Boehler of Walsenburg, Colo., began classes today in the Accelerated Paramedic Program. In 12 weeks they will have completed their Paramedic training in what used to take two years. The Accelerated Paramedic program is just one of the programs recently expanded or added which has contributed to an increase in the number of students attending MCC.
(Courtesy photo)

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MCC found a way, but it hasn't been easy.

When fall classes began this week at MCC, student enrollment numbers are strong according to MCC's CEO, Dr. Richard Tubbs, thanks in part to several programs that didn't exist 10 years ago -- baseball and softball. Additionally, for the past four years, MCC has seen enrollment boosts attributed to the addition of a graphic design program, the accelerated emergency medical technician and paramedic programs, and this year with the welding certification program at MCC's Center for Applied Science and Technology.

Baseball and softball were the first programs MCC added to recruit a new market of students, but to do that college officials had to balance the benefit of potential new students with the cost of starting new programs. So in the spring of 2002, MCC began playing baseball program with a part-time coach. The following year softball was added with a part-time coach.

With the start of fall classes this year, those programs have attained a "milestone" status according to Tubbs because for the first time, the baseball and softball coaches are full-time college employees. Of MCC's six coaches, four are now full-time employees thanks in part to coaches filling other part-time positions.

"We had to be creative at times," Tubbs admits. "And depending on what part-time openings we had on campus at the time, we've had to remain flexible to get to the point we're at, but right now this is about as good as a fit as we could hope for."

This fall Elizabeth Jacoby takes over as MCC's softball coach and has joined the MCC faculty full time to teach English. Also this fall, basketball coach Benjamin Smith begins his third year at the helm of the MCC Women's program but begins his first year in the newly created slot as Area Coordinator of Student Success. Men's basketball coach Brandon Lenhart continues to serve as a Career Specialist in the Student Success Center and baseball Coach Jon Olsen teaches physical education classes. Michelle Reiners begins her second year as volleyball coach and Bill Stokley is in his third year as the Men's Golf Coach, both those positions are part-time positions.

As a result of MCC's concentrated effort to go after a new marketing niche, student athletes have become a staple on campus. Last year student athletes accounted for 38 percent of the total enrollment. That percentage looks even stronger this year.

That increased presence of student-athletes on campus and in the community, has not gone unnoticed by at least one organization. In support of MCC athletics, The MCC Indians Boosters, Inc. was formed in 1996 on the premise that "a strong activities program is vital to the life of a college, and athletics adds greatly to the overall college experience -- not only for the athletes, but for the general student population as well. Last month at the Mid-Plains Area Governor's meeting, MCC Indians Boosters, Inc. President Trevor Premer spoke to the board about the role of the student athlete at MCC.

"Students are coming to MCC from high schools where sports played an important role in their lives and a large part of their schools' and communities' activities, and they are very interested in continuing this involvement through their college experience," said Premer. "This is clearly shown by the number of walk-on athletes who come for an education with the hope to participate in athletics as well."

Over the last five years, the Boosters organization spent more than $300,000 to support MCC athletics from donors including $14,500 toward book scholarships for the 2009-10 school year. Other booster club activities including the publication of the sports media guides, support of the "Adopt an Athlete Program," and "Read Aloud Program," assistance with uniforms and equipment, meals for athletes when the dorm is not open, and special events and promotions open to the public.

At the July meeting, The Boosters urged the MPCC board to remain committed in its maintenance of its high-caliber sports programs and coach retention by offering a "competitive compensation package."

"It takes a couple of years for a coach to build a successful recruiting program and to develop players both on the court/field and in the classroom," Premer said.

In support of MCC athletic programs the Mid-Plains Community College Area Governing Board last month approved additional funding for room, board and books for 24 existing Division I and 12 existing intercollegiate athletic scholarships. In the past six years along the McCook College Foundation has provided funding for $61,600 for student athletic book scholarships. It was the Foundation that funded $44,000 from 2000 through 2002 to start up the MCC baseball and softball programs.

There is a major Gifts Campaign underway to raise $10 million to build the MCC Events Center to provide additional curriculum opportunities and to facilitate the development of the MCC athletic programs.

While many community colleges recruit athletes who become students MCC is making a concerted effort to recruit students who are athletes.

In the past five years, MCC has demonstrated the academic commitment of its student-athletes with numerous conference, region and national honors including numerous teams ranked in the top 10 nationally in grade-point average.

"We have coaches who stress the value of a quality education, and the when MCC teams rank high nationally in overall team grade point averages, this brings positive recognition to the Mid-Plains Area, pride to McCook and a good foundation for these students to continue their education at the next level," Premer said.

In addition to the sports programs, other new and expanded programs that have also contributed to strong student numbers at MCC this fall include the Accelerated Paramedic courses, graphic design and the CAST.

Students from nine other states are coming to the MCC campus specifically for the Accelerated Paramedic classes which condenses what traditionally is an 18-to-24 month program into an intense 12-week, eight-hours-a-day program. This fall there are students enrolled from Colorado, Virginia, Massachusetts, California, New Hampshire, Arizona, Michigan and Ohio.

Also this fall in the Graphic Design Department MCC will offer design certificates or a diploma for individuals who do not want to go through the entire Graphic Design Associate of Applied Science degree.

According to MCC Graphic Design Instructor Becky Meyers, these courses are designed to meet the needs of individuals who may want to specialize in a particular design area.

"Maybe someone has found themselves working in a full-time job where they have been given print, design or multimedia responsibilities, but maybe they haven't had training in current software," Meyers said.

There is an 18-hour print design certificate available, an 18-hour multimedia design certificate and a 30-hour graphic design available through MCC. Meyers said for anyone who works with desktop publishing, digital imaging, and multimedia design, these 18-hour certificates may be a more direct way to get the training they need.

Meyers said the certificates and diploma also provide options for students wanting to transfer to a four-year school that need to take general studies courses and get an Associate of Arts degree instead of the Associate of Applied Science degree.

In addition to Jacoby joining the coaching staff and English faculty, other new MCC faces this year include: Candice Havely, the new Area Director of Learning Resources and Rob Bogardus, the new biology faculty member.

Also this fall MCC is offering welding classes at the MCC's Center for Applied Science and Technology at 112 E. Second, in McCook.

Through this partnership between MCC, McCook Public Schools, the Nebraska Department of Corrections Work Ethic Camp; Valmont Industries Inc., Phoenix Transitional Services, Nebraska Workforce Development, training in welding and machine shop skills are being offered to a variety of sources.

The C.A.S.T. program provides high school students the opportunity to develop job skills in a McCook facility and to remain here after graduation.

High school and College students can earn a certificate, diploma or Associate of Applied Science degree in welding and/or machining. While high school students will have their classes in the morning; WEC offenders/inmates will meet for classes during the late afternoon and MCC will offering night classes, taught by Mike Harris.

College officials believe that this new venture -- and this increased visibility in the area of technical training -- is an important step that will help create another solid enrollment staple in future MCC student counts.