In the local weekly edition of the (2nd) local paper today was an article about an upcoming winterfest type holiday carnival being sponsored by the Greater Brandon Community Foundation. Called Winterfest at Winthrop, this is taking place right next door to the BCAC. The article mentions a couple of folks by name, most notably the developer of Winthrop, John Sullivan ... he seems like my kind of guy and I look forward to eventually meeting him and hearing bout his vision or the Center and the area overall. It sounds to me as though he is in it for more than the potential money ... but it doesn't hurt to make a few bucks on the back-end.
In the meantime, my wife and I stopped by a branch of the local library system we usually don't frequent (she was looking for a particular title). The library shares a building with Center Place - the Fine Arts and Civic Association for the area. I had read in my research of the BCAC history that Center Place and the BCAC were/are supposed to have a relationship. So, doing what I do best, I stopped in to Center Place and introduced myself to the Executive Director Dawn Galia. It turns out that Center Place will be holding their annual gala at the BCAC next Spring (2011). Like I always say -- you should never be shy about introducing yourself and getting to know people.
CC Satellite
A diary about setting up a community college satellite campus.
December 1, 2010
November 28, 2010
Remote access via the digital campus
Before accepting this position (even before interviewing for it) asked the Dean how student services will be handled. I know from personal experience that having a good ear for student concerns and the ability to communicate and help them work through systems of the utmost importance. But, it is also necessary to have actual and sometimes real-time access to the services in question. This "mini-campus" will not have direct services in-house and will rely on the larger mother-ship campus a few miles away. As the Dean informed me, "Students will use the support services at the Brandon campus, but much can be done online"
This actually makes quite a bit of sense and it will be up to me and my staff to know how to access these services and be able to assist students. We will have ready computer access in-house and I have to assume a suitable wi-fi overlay for the facility. If we don't have one it will be a top priority as I want students to have the flexibility to work anywhere within the area (including outside on the veranda). Fortunately the institution as a whole has ramped up its on-line systems for student services. It is currently a bit of a hybrid between computer interface and human face-time but it is several steps in the right direction. However, we won't truly know how efficient the system is for students at the satellite until we give it a try.
On the bright side, according to an article in Converge Magazine, community colleges as a whole are doing a much better job of providing digital access to student services and the academic environment. The article titled Five (5) Digital Community College Trends from 2010, these primarily two-year, commuter institutions hosting a majority of part-time students have seen improvements in mobile access, technical support, multiple platforms to access the curriculum, and career and academic guidance. There is still room for improvement .. what that is exactly I do not know (since I haven't even started the job yet) but I would hazard to guess that we will encounter problems with items such as basic user knowledge, distance interaction with both the virtual and the real, my personal learning curve (and that of my staff), and who knows what else.
This actually makes quite a bit of sense and it will be up to me and my staff to know how to access these services and be able to assist students. We will have ready computer access in-house and I have to assume a suitable wi-fi overlay for the facility. If we don't have one it will be a top priority as I want students to have the flexibility to work anywhere within the area (including outside on the veranda). Fortunately the institution as a whole has ramped up its on-line systems for student services. It is currently a bit of a hybrid between computer interface and human face-time but it is several steps in the right direction. However, we won't truly know how efficient the system is for students at the satellite until we give it a try.
On the bright side, according to an article in Converge Magazine, community colleges as a whole are doing a much better job of providing digital access to student services and the academic environment. The article titled Five (5) Digital Community College Trends from 2010, these primarily two-year, commuter institutions hosting a majority of part-time students have seen improvements in mobile access, technical support, multiple platforms to access the curriculum, and career and academic guidance. There is still room for improvement .. what that is exactly I do not know (since I haven't even started the job yet) but I would hazard to guess that we will encounter problems with items such as basic user knowledge, distance interaction with both the virtual and the real, my personal learning curve (and that of my staff), and who knows what else.
Marketing strategy in a nutshell
An article in the St. Petersburg Times this morning provides a ready-made marketing strategy. Why should you enroll for classes at the BCAC? Because we do a better job, with more support, at a lower cost. Overall a superior educational opportunity.
"Critics say they pressure poor students into taking out huge student loans for programs often offered through community colleges at lower costs."
Florida Attorney General's Office now investigating eight for-profit colleges
"Critics say they pressure poor students into taking out huge student loans for programs often offered through community colleges at lower costs."
November 26, 2010
Dissing the 'competition'
I am well aware that the general purpose of this satellite campus is to entice business away from the growing number of for-profit academic programs springing up in the area. Right in the immediate area are campuses for Keiser, Southern, Sanford-Brown, DeVry, and Phoenix. Everest has both brick and mortar facilities in the area and their east-coast on-line operations are located here as well. I actually tried getting a job with them at one point. I have colleagues who work for on-line institutions and the idea of managing a student affairs and services program from a virtual location sounds interesting. Alas they were not interested in my services or experience.
I have no interest in discussing whether the programs of these institutions are better or worse or how they differ from traditional 2 and 4 year colleges and universities. What I do know is that in general the for-profit education sector has produced (or not produced as the case may be) abysmal graduation rates and great monetary debt for their students. There are many factors that can account for this and arguments can be made both pro and con. Inside Higher Ed has a piece on a recent student by The Education Trust. The report itself is worth reading as are the comments on the IHE article.
Of course the for-profit schools are fighting back with their own reports and picking on their perceived rivals, the community colleges. This has caused the community colleges to push back and it is all turning into a massive he-said, she-said, hey that's my ball, why don't you pick on someone your own size dustup and I'd prefer to just stay out of it.
For other points of view on for-profits versus publics check out postings from the blog Confessions of a Community College Dean, and a response by the University of Phoenix seeking to debunk an article in Business Week about Phoenix profiting from the Federal bailout. IHE also did a story back in 2008 where they suggested Phoenix (when you are the biggest target ...) is becoming a national community college.
My interest in all of this is that the programs and courses being offer through the BCAC are intended to provide the sorts of opportunities students enrolling with the aforementioned for-profit schools are seeking while doing so at a dollar figure that is reasonable. The BCAC program needs to be as flexible as the for-profits while maintaining a sense of traditional educational acumen. I believe we can do and provide both ... we just need to get the program up and running and get the community support. Can you tell I am itching at the starting gate ... let's get moving on this folks. I sense success. I just can't wait.
I have no interest in discussing whether the programs of these institutions are better or worse or how they differ from traditional 2 and 4 year colleges and universities. What I do know is that in general the for-profit education sector has produced (or not produced as the case may be) abysmal graduation rates and great monetary debt for their students. There are many factors that can account for this and arguments can be made both pro and con. Inside Higher Ed has a piece on a recent student by The Education Trust. The report itself is worth reading as are the comments on the IHE article.
Of course the for-profit schools are fighting back with their own reports and picking on their perceived rivals, the community colleges. This has caused the community colleges to push back and it is all turning into a massive he-said, she-said, hey that's my ball, why don't you pick on someone your own size dustup and I'd prefer to just stay out of it.
For other points of view on for-profits versus publics check out postings from the blog Confessions of a Community College Dean, and a response by the University of Phoenix seeking to debunk an article in Business Week about Phoenix profiting from the Federal bailout. IHE also did a story back in 2008 where they suggested Phoenix (when you are the biggest target ...) is becoming a national community college.
My interest in all of this is that the programs and courses being offer through the BCAC are intended to provide the sorts of opportunities students enrolling with the aforementioned for-profit schools are seeking while doing so at a dollar figure that is reasonable. The BCAC program needs to be as flexible as the for-profits while maintaining a sense of traditional educational acumen. I believe we can do and provide both ... we just need to get the program up and running and get the community support. Can you tell I am itching at the starting gate ... let's get moving on this folks. I sense success. I just can't wait.
November 24, 2010
Make it look like we know what we are doing.
I had my first post-hiring meeting with the Dean I will be reporting to. Took care of all the hiring paperwork, scheduled an official start date and started looking at items such as budgets, blueprints, course offerings, etc. I'll be working out of the home office on the main campus for a while ... the building we will move into isn't even complete yet and is scheduled to open in mid-January 2011 --- which is roughly a week before classes are scheduled to begin <yeesh!>
In the meantime, I have budgets to review, codes to learn, resumes for a part-time assistant to look over, and research about the local community and how to fill their needs. I got the contact information for the building manager and met my Administrative Assistant (she is straight out of the Deans office, but still very new to the position ... I think it's a nice mix). I know she is to keep tabs on me and the project and report back to the Dean. I have been in such situations before and have no illusions about staff loyalty. Let's hope that she learns from me and feels comfortable being my sidekick on this adventure.
On one hand nagging and on the other hand exciting is that we do seem to be making it up as we go along. I ask the Dean questions anticipating a ready answer and she quite honestly shrugs her shoulders and says she has no answer. It reminds me of Geoffrey Rush as Henslowe in Shakespeare in Love ... when asked how the play ends, how it all come thru, all he can answer is "I don't know, it's a mystery ... it just all works out in the end." But he says it with such relish and conviction that you simply have to believe him! And that is how I feel about this program ... it simply has too much in place and too much positive momentum going forward that even a bonehead like me couldn't possibly screw it up. No matter what else we do --- we have to make it look like we planned it that way.
In the meantime, I have budgets to review, codes to learn, resumes for a part-time assistant to look over, and research about the local community and how to fill their needs. I got the contact information for the building manager and met my Administrative Assistant (she is straight out of the Deans office, but still very new to the position ... I think it's a nice mix). I know she is to keep tabs on me and the project and report back to the Dean. I have been in such situations before and have no illusions about staff loyalty. Let's hope that she learns from me and feels comfortable being my sidekick on this adventure.
On one hand nagging and on the other hand exciting is that we do seem to be making it up as we go along. I ask the Dean questions anticipating a ready answer and she quite honestly shrugs her shoulders and says she has no answer. It reminds me of Geoffrey Rush as Henslowe in Shakespeare in Love ... when asked how the play ends, how it all come thru, all he can answer is "I don't know, it's a mystery ... it just all works out in the end." But he says it with such relish and conviction that you simply have to believe him! And that is how I feel about this program ... it simply has too much in place and too much positive momentum going forward that even a bonehead like me couldn't possibly screw it up. No matter what else we do --- we have to make it look like we planned it that way.
November 20, 2010
News articles on Community College Satellite Campuses
The job doesn't exactly start for a couple of weeks so I have time to do some reading and research on satellite campuses. I may as well Goggle what I can and share it here. Let's start with these articles pulled from the web:
- Grand Rapids Community College taps Lowell for next satellite campus
- Warren County Community College plans for satellite campus in limbo as freeholders consider borrowing
- Los Rios Satellite Campus Opens in West Sacramento
- Aims Community College closing some satellite campuses
- Surry Community College opens new satellite campus
- Southwestern Community College Renews Membership with Campus EAI Consortium
- Ten graduates successfully complete Gaston College drivers training program
- Choose New Campus Wisely -- Editorial
- Thomas University Making Presence Felt
- King College to Open Satellite Campus in Knoxville
- Jackson Community College Satellite Locations see Enrollment Boom
So...this happened ...
I have accepted a job at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida as the Manager for their new Off-Campus Credit program at the Brandon Community Advantage Center (BCAC). I'd share details on the space but the website has been "down for maintenance" since before the position was posted. I hope this is not a bad sign.
This is quite the big deal in the local area and as a Brandon resident (and homeowner) I am interested beyond the employment opportunity and career shift. I live less than five miles from the facility and shop at the stores it overlooks. Local politicians and civic groups have been involved in the development and building of this facility and will continue to be involved after it is open for business. Here are some links to items of interest:
This is quite the big deal in the local area and as a Brandon resident (and homeowner) I am interested beyond the employment opportunity and career shift. I live less than five miles from the facility and shop at the stores it overlooks. Local politicians and civic groups have been involved in the development and building of this facility and will continue to be involved after it is open for business. Here are some links to items of interest:
- Article from the local paper = Site Secured for Brandon Civic Center. This is from 2008 --- before I even moved here.
- Here is an article from 2007 (two-and-a-half years ago) providing some back story.
- This is an article from about a year ago = After Years of Planning, Brandon Cultural Center Takes Shape.
- Photo album from local news blog showing the construction. I have not actually been inside the facility but it is further along than these pictures suggest. I dropped by the site recently and the flooring crew was working.
- But it has not been a completely smooth project -- earlier this year (with the building half done) there was the possibility of funding being pulled.
- The official page from the Community College Facilities Planning and Construction folks. Not much here but it shows the building further along. Note the lack of windows -- the building is supposed to be designated a hurricane shelter - but that is apparently being negotiated.
Part of the job is going to be connecting with the local community groups who supported this project from the get-go and who will be instrumental in making it successful. Among these are the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. One name that keeps popping up is Ron Pierce and one of my first orders of business will be to meet him and learn what his personal vision is for the BCAC.
One individual I am looking forward to contacting is Ernest Hooper, a columnist for the St. Petersburg Times. He is a local resident and proponent not only of this project, but also a true cheerleader for the local area. I never miss reading one of his columns. Here is one of his articles from a Q&A with the Director of a local arts facility where the BCAC is mentioned.
The overall area is being developed by Taylor Morrison developers and is part if the Winthrop Town Center and master plan. Here is a link to the marketing brochure in PDF. Check Page 4 and look to the lower right corner for the location on the BCAC. All I know is that Five Guys has a location in the Winthrop Town Center along with a Green Iguana.
So ... what is this job of which I speak. That's still a little up in the air. The position positing to which I applied read as follows:
The position manages and oversees off-campus courses at the Brandon Community Advantage Center for students unable to attend traditional on-campus classes. The key job responsibilities will include: (1) coordinates student enrollment and registration and (2) assists in hiring instructors. Prefer applicants with: supervisory experience in a higher education environment and the ability to work independently with little supervision.
That's it --- the entire job posting. I have seen Craigslist postings with more detail. But the idea of working away from a main campus and the necessity of having the ability to work independently caught my attention. So I did a little digging and came up with the information linked above and then some. After I was invited to interview I chatted with the Dean the position reports to and she filled in some of the gaps.
This facility (BCAC) will be a joint use project, with HCC having 6 classrooms on the lower level. Four of the classrooms will be used for for-credit instruction (day, evening and Saturday morning classes) … the other two will be used for non-credit, continuing education (managed by the HCC Center for Continuing Education). The manager will supervise a full-time Senior Staff Assistant and a part-time Technician who will cover the evening and Saturday morning hours; he/she will report to me, but will be responsible for the successful operations of the center.
In some ways, the center will operate as a mini-campus, with the manager eventually responsible for scheduling classes per the community needs. This will include the recruiting, hiring and evaluating of faculty, budget management, facilities management/maintenance, community outreach and student recruitment.
Students will use the support services at the Brandon campus, but much can be done online (class scheduling, financial aid, textbook purchases).
The manager will need to be able to work in a changeable environment and with ambiguity since it will take a bit of time to determine what will be successful, course offering-wise … exceptional organizational and communication skills will be essential. The manager will also need to be comfortable with technology, as we will have two computer classrooms, as well as instructor stations that use presentation technology … and, the ability to learn and use out Datatel system for scheduling, staffing, purchasing, budget control.
Wow! The Dean had me at "changeable environment" and "ambiguity" ... I mean, how often does such vernacular creep into conversations about higher education projects? I think I may have found THE perfect job for my personality and skills as this will allow me to flex my autonomous business muscles while knowing that I have the backing of a larger entity. I can use the skills I have learned and developed through both my undergraduate degree and my graduate degree along with my various professional positions within higher education and student services --- and of course the fact that I have co-created and managed my own moderately successful business venture. Anyway --- the purpose of this blog is to track this adventure. Mostly for my own benefit, but if others find it and find it useful they are welcome to join the conversation.
So ... what is this job of which I speak. That's still a little up in the air. The position positing to which I applied read as follows:
The position manages and oversees off-campus courses at the Brandon Community Advantage Center for students unable to attend traditional on-campus classes. The key job responsibilities will include: (1) coordinates student enrollment and registration and (2) assists in hiring instructors. Prefer applicants with: supervisory experience in a higher education environment and the ability to work independently with little supervision.
That's it --- the entire job posting. I have seen Craigslist postings with more detail. But the idea of working away from a main campus and the necessity of having the ability to work independently caught my attention. So I did a little digging and came up with the information linked above and then some. After I was invited to interview I chatted with the Dean the position reports to and she filled in some of the gaps.
This facility (BCAC) will be a joint use project, with HCC having 6 classrooms on the lower level. Four of the classrooms will be used for for-credit instruction (day, evening and Saturday morning classes) … the other two will be used for non-credit, continuing education (managed by the HCC Center for Continuing Education). The manager will supervise a full-time Senior Staff Assistant and a part-time Technician who will cover the evening and Saturday morning hours; he/she will report to me, but will be responsible for the successful operations of the center.
In some ways, the center will operate as a mini-campus, with the manager eventually responsible for scheduling classes per the community needs. This will include the recruiting, hiring and evaluating of faculty, budget management, facilities management/maintenance, community outreach and student recruitment.
Students will use the support services at the Brandon campus, but much can be done online (class scheduling, financial aid, textbook purchases).
The manager will need to be able to work in a changeable environment and with ambiguity since it will take a bit of time to determine what will be successful, course offering-wise … exceptional organizational and communication skills will be essential. The manager will also need to be comfortable with technology, as we will have two computer classrooms, as well as instructor stations that use presentation technology … and, the ability to learn and use out Datatel system for scheduling, staffing, purchasing, budget control.
Wow! The Dean had me at "changeable environment" and "ambiguity" ... I mean, how often does such vernacular creep into conversations about higher education projects? I think I may have found THE perfect job for my personality and skills as this will allow me to flex my autonomous business muscles while knowing that I have the backing of a larger entity. I can use the skills I have learned and developed through both my undergraduate degree and my graduate degree along with my various professional positions within higher education and student services --- and of course the fact that I have co-created and managed my own moderately successful business venture. Anyway --- the purpose of this blog is to track this adventure. Mostly for my own benefit, but if others find it and find it useful they are welcome to join the conversation.
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