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September 2009

Obama’s Community College Initiative – July 14th

I had the fortunate opportunity to travel to Warren, Mi on July 14th to listen to President Obama introduce his community college initiative. With Obama’s $12 billion plan designed to boost graduation rates, improve facilities and develop new technology, it is truly an exciting time to be part of public two-year colleges!

As you know, after a budget cut of $68.2 million during the 2009 legislative session and a $20 million unallotment, MnSCU was unallotted $50 million dollars, resulting in some major changes for HTC. We have made cutbacks, not filled positions, made staffing adjustments and even piloted a four day work week this summer. While we continue to provide our students with the best technical education possible, I must admit it has been a challenge.

During his address, Obama stated that the federal government spends about a tenth on two year colleges of what it spends on public four year schools. But, with rising tuition rates, enrollment at two year schools has seen a steady increase in enrollment and this is a genuine concern that HTC, along with other two-year colleges nationwide will not be able to meet the growing need. Mr. Obama is very concerned about access and opportunity, especially in the tough economic times and is ready to invest in education as a means for the nation to work its way out of the recession and be internationally competitive.

The initiative will be funded with savings that result from proposed changes in the federal student loan program. They have proposed eliminating private lenders from the program and making the federal government the sole lender, at a cost savings of $87 billion over the next decade.

Good news! Today (Sept. 17th), the US House of Representatives passes HR3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. This act contains the American Graduation Initiative – a historic federal investment in two-year colleges, as well as guaranteed increases in the Pell Grant maximum. A summary of the legislation can be found at www.aacc.nche.edu/pages. The action now moves to the Senate, where the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee must approve companion legislation by October 15th.

$9 billion of the funds will be used to award grants that will be initiatives for colleges to raise graduation rates and produce graduates who are ready for the workplace or for a transfer to a four-year school; $2.5 billion will help pay for renovations to community-college facilities; $500 million will be used to develop online curriculum for two-year college students.

When funding becomes available, through thoughtful planning, HTC needs to be well positioned to take advantage of this proposal by aggressively seeking the funds that will expand our opportunities to educate our students and upgrade our facilities. Discussion and tentative planning is underway across all VP areas.

If you would like to see his speech, Pres. Obama Remarks on Community Colleges. (If you look closely, at the beginning, you will see me in the crowd, second row, and far right, dressed in pink.) These are good times to be in technical and community colleges!

Cecilia

New Vice President of Student Services – Mark Felsheim

Dr. Mark Felsheim is HTC’s new Vice President of Student Affairs.

Mark comes from Century College where he was the Dean of Trades, Services and Public Safety, a position he held for the past last 8 years. He also spent eight years in Wisconsin's technical college system. Mark brings multiple leadership skills, experiences, and talents for working with students, faculty, and staff. He brings a passion for students and will assist us in improving student engagement, developing innovative programs and services that support student success, increasing the linkages to area high schools, as well as expanding the recruitment/retention of under-represented, under-served populations.

Mark began on August 5th.

Therese Salber Named Interim Dean of Business

Therese Salber began as Interim Dean of Business on July 22nd.

Therese has been a Training and Business Development Director in Customized Training Services for the college since 1999. She has supervised and coordinated several programs in the CTS department including Language and Culture, Child Care, and Information Technology. Therese has extensive experience in developing and cultivating partnerships, managing grants, and building community development initiatives. Therese holds a Master's degree in Organizational Management from Concordia University.

A permanent dean should be in place during spring semester.

Law Enforcement Center – Groundbreaking Ceremony

The Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Education Center is a collaboration between Hennepin Technical College, Metropolitan State University, and Minneapolis Community & Technical College recognizing that the future of public safety and criminal justice depends on the students enrolled in today's law enforcement and criminal justice programs.

The groundbreaking celebration was held Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at the Brooklyn Park Campus.

Highlights of the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center include:

AQIP Update

As you know, HTC underwent a successful AQIP visit this past February and received a positive Quality Progress Report. Since then, Lisa Larson and her fantastic team worked diligently to complete HTC’s AQIP Portfolio and in early September submitted the entire document to the Higher Learning Commission. Below is the link for the AQIP Portfolio available on our HTC website.

As an AQIP college we are committed to continuous quality improvement through many different strategies. One of the most important is our ongoing accreditation efforts. Many thanks to Lisa and the entire AQIP team for their effort, dedication and focus on completing our portfolio.

College Update

Each year the college develops goals based on input from the entire college community that align with the MnSCU system goals. Goal champions are assigned and committees are formed to help work on achieving those goals. We are proud of our accomplishments from this past year and here are some of the successes that we would like to share:

Enrollment was up 18% for summer and fall headcount is currently up 12.7%

Students of color headcount increased by 6.6% in FY 2009

A task force was developed to promote effective and efficient schedules to increase student engagement and enrollment. The committee:

  • Developed methods to track course efficiency
  • Added numerous sections
  • Managed ghosted courses to maximize enrollment
  • Staggered offerings by campus
  • Increased number of late start courses

Improved service to high school students in the transition from secondary to postsecondary included:

  • Readiness testing for partner high school students in 19 high schools up 31% from 2008
  • Hosted 70 high school technology and industry education teachers in fall 2009 at Brooklyn Park Campus
  • A career technical planning guide was developed by HTC for undecided seniors

Continuation of access to HTC thru low tuition rates and cost-saving measures - our tuition remains one of the lowest in the MNSCU system!

Participation in two textbook pilots: e-Books and textbooks on reserve in the library.

An estimated program cost grid outlining textbook, supplies and tools was developed in order to give students a better understanding of what the total cost of their courses will be.

Increased courses offered via on-line, blended, and/or web enhanced formats by an average of 22% in 2009 over 2008.

New Program Offerings Include:

  • AAS - Urban Forestry Technician
  • AAS - Management Studies
  • AAS - Individualized Studies
  • AAS - BioMedical Technician
  • Certificate - Manufacturing Fundamentals

HTC continues to identify, create, and develop new program offerings and awards:

  • Management – AAS – Spring 10
  • Sales Certificate - Spring 10
  • Individual Studies – AAS, AS - final approval stages
  • Research and Development – AAS – to AASC in September
  • Manufacturing Engineering AS degree – planning stages
  • Bio-Medical Certificate - to AASC in September
  • Broad Field AS degree in Science - System wide
  • Broad Field AS degree in Health Science – System wide
  • Industrial Safety Manager Certificate – development phase
  • Cultural Literacy Certificate – planning stages
  • Medical Assistant - Diploma, AAS – to AASC Fall 09
  • Building Energy Reduction and Efficiency Manager Certificate - early development phase
  • Health Support Specialist – program intent to go forward this Fall
  • Food and Wine Specialties Certificate - approved

2009-2010 Goals

The goals for FY10 have been determined and the goal champions have been assigned. Below are the HTC goals with goal champions. Please contact them if you would like to join a goal team.

Continuous Quality Improvement Network (CQIN) Summer Institute

A cross-section college team made up of Cecilia Cervantes, Diane Paulson, Diane Rovang, Linda Davis, Adele Halberg, Suzanne Burley, Bill Vann and Jason Burrows traveled to Dearborn, MI for the CQIN Summer Institute. Learning Partners include Sarah Miller Caldicott, author, Innovate Like Edison, Paul Israel, Director and General Editor of the Thomas A. Edison Papers at Rutgers, Richard Sheridan, President & CEO, Menlo Innovations, The Henry Ford: Greenfield Village & Menlo Park, Jai Menon, VP of Technical Strategies, IBM, Mike Hardie, Director of Quality and Product Development for the Ford Motor Company, and the 2009 Edison Innovation Award Winners.

This year’s theme was "How to Increase Innovation in Challenging Economic Times: Thinking Like an Innovator, Working Like an Innovator, Teaming Like an Innovator & Playing Like an Innovator". Based on Edison’s five competencies of innovation, the objectives of the institute included identifying the characteristics and practices essential to have a culture of innovation, understanding the processes, tools and benefits of having a culture of innovation and understanding a disciplines and intentional approach to having a work culture of innovation.

The CQIN team will partner with the Quality Council to establish new quality goals and incorporate what was learned into practices at HTC.

HEAPR Projects

Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) funds have been distributed to colleges and universities. This fall, work will begin on replacing lights and ceilings in classrooms and hallways at both campuses and Eden Prairie Campus will receive a new emergency generator.

Staff Advisory Council

In an effort to enhance communications within Hennepin Technical College, as well as to ensure that staff members have an opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process, the Staff Advisory Council has been formed. Their first meeting was held on August 3rd. The membership is comprised of two representatives from each of the classified and professional staff unions (AFSCME, MAPE and MMA). The FY10 members include AFSCME: Suzanne Burley and Kathy Wolter MMA: Joy Bodin and Julie Higdem MAPE: Tom Condon and Todd Seitz. Cecilia Cervantes, Jill Eck, Sharon Mohr, and Diane Paulson will be the administrators participating in the meetings

The council will act as a liaison to the president and to administrators and share relevant information with their union membership. They will have an opportunity to bring forth inquiries and requests, express the needs and interests on behalf of their members, have input on possible changes in programs and/or services, and make recommendations that will promote a positive work environment and contribute toward fulfilling our mission.

Informed communication throughout Hennepin Technical College promotes inclusiveness and transparency through our language, our actions, and increase by-in to our future direction.

Tartan Image Study

Assessing and improving the image of HTC was one of three college goals in FY09 and was headed by Carole Carlson and Joe Mulford. If you had an opportunity to listen to the findings of Tartan Marketing, you heard that HTC is the “best kept secret” and overall, those involved in the college are very pleased with the work we do. When you put these together, they spell opportunity!!!

HTC is reviewing the recommendations of Tartan Marketing and looking at ways to implement them.

If you’d like more information on the study, contact Carole Carlson at x2426.

Culinary Orientation

Culinary Potential, new and returning culinary students along with Culinary Faculty and members of the American Culinary Federation attended the Culinary Program orientation on July 21st at the Eden Prairie Campus. There were over 50 students and parents in attendance.

Faculty/Administrator Retreat

23 faculty and administrators, representing AASC, SGC and PAC participated in Appreciative Inquiry at the retreat held at the Riverwood Conference Center in Otsego on July 20 -21. Appreciative Inquiry the art and practice of asking questions that strengthen a system’s capacity to apprehend, anticipate, and heighten positive potential. From the retreat five focus areas were determined and task forces have been formed. The areas of focus include:

HTC’s Customized Training Services (CTS) has moved to campus!

Remodeling took place at the Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie campuses to make room for the CTS staff and faculty. This move will not only save HTC funds facility rental charges, but it will be a great opportunity to better connect the work CTS does with the credit programs that the college offers.

Intsimbi Project Team

Six representatives from South Africa visited HTC for one week in August to learn about the M-Powered model. They learned about marketing, recruitment, and assessment of potential students and also how community based organizations can assist in the selection process of students enrolling in the program.

Intsimbi Picture

Graduation

Approximately 400 students participated in the Hennepin Technical College commencement celebration at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on May 20, 2009. For the time, faculty donned robes and sashes, adding to the pomp and circumstance of the event. Mirlande Erickson from our Admissions Office contributed her talents with her rendition of our National Anthem. The MnSCU Board of Trustees was represented by Trustee Jacob Englund and meaningful addresses were given by Dan Watts, HTC’s student speaker, Ernie Parker, faculty speaker.

Graduation President Cecilia Cervantes gave special recognition to Ernie Parker (in recognition of his Educator of the Year award) and Ron Kraft (who retired after 10 years of service at HTC). Each received a framed photograph taken by Photography alumni with a personalized message.

Thanks to everyone who contributed their time to make the ceremony memorable!

 
 
 

Board of Trustees Excellence in Teaching Award

Hennepin Technical College Instructor Ernie Parker received the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system’s highest academic honor when he was named as a recipient of the Board of Trustees Excellence in Teaching Award at the Celebrating Excellence event held May 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn in St. Paul. medallion

Parker, an instructor in fluid power engineering technology, has taught at HTC since 1974. He was one of four Educators of the Year selected from among 29 Board of Trustees Outstanding Educators nominated by their college presidents. HTC’s Tawnda Bickford, an instructor of psychology, was honored as one of the Outstanding Educators.

 

Industry Visits

Minnesota companies – of every size and in every region of the state – depend on Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to prepare and maintain a skilled work force, increase employee productivity and support new business growth. This past winter, MnSCU presidents visited 352 private sector companies in Minnesota to learn how the system could better work with businesses to enhance the prosperity and quality of life of the state’s residents. Based on recommendations that emerged from the visits, the system’s colleges and universities will embark on a plan in the coming year to:

President Cecilia Cervantes visited a variety of industries, all of whom are very committed to HTC’s mission. Her visits included Meier Tool, Toro Company, Eaton Corporation, Japs-Olson, MGS Machine Corporation, Top Tool, Hartfiel Company, MTS, and Tennant Company. Their perspectives will help HTC look into the future and plan programs that will meet workforce needs.

The complete report of the findings is found at Business Visits

Coffee with Cecilia

Join President Cecilia Cervantes on a monthly basis in the Student Lounge for coffee and conversation from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Join Cecilia in September on Monday, 9/28 at BPC and Wednesday, 9/30 at EPC. Coffee and hydration station flavored water will be provided. Read AXIS TV for reminders.

 
 
 
 
 

Contact HTC at 952-995-1300 or info@hennepintech.edu

Copyright © 2009 by Hennepin Technical College