American Association of Community Colleges Sustaining A Rural Community College and Enhancing Economic Development: The River Valley Story Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, President Dr. Ross Gittell, Chancellor Dr. Vincent E. Mumford, Vice President of Academic Affairs Tuesday, April 21, 2015 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM San Antonio, TX
Reflection Point For millions of rural students, the choice is not between a community college and another institution, the choice is between a community college and nothing M. Cohen & B. Brawer
Two New Hampshires: What does it mean for Rural NH?
1/4th of NH residents live in 6 Rural Counties. Rural NH has 1/6 th the population density of Metro NH. More difficult & costly to serve population in rural colleges Total NH Rural NH Metro NH Coos Population 1,320,718 349,096 971,622 32,096 % NH Population 100.0% 26.4% 73.6% 2.4% Land Area 8,953 6,079 2,874 1,801 % NH Land Area 100.0% 67.9% 32.1% 20.1% People per Sq. Mile 148 57 338 18
Rural NH higher % of 65+ than any state except Florida. Metro NH would rank in lowest quartile in % 65+ if a separate state; however baby boomers are now turning 65+, 65+s in both NHs will be increasing at significant rate Total NH Rural NH Metro NH Coos % 25-44 24.3% 23.0% 25.2% 24.1% % 25-44 Rank 48 52 34 % over 65 14.7% 18.1% 13.4% 20.8% % over 65 Rank 17 2 38
% Ages 65+ Rural NH oldest of all New England states. US median is the red line 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Rural Metro ME VT NH Coos 22 22.5 23 23.5 24 24.5 25 25.5 26 26.5 % Ages 25-44 RI CT MA
Rural NH above US median in Bachelors and beyond but below median in Associates + Total NH Rural NH Metro NH Coos Assoc +% 45.8% 38.3% 46.8% 28.6% Assoc+ % Rank 7 28 3 Bach % 33.1% 29.5% 34.5% 16.4% Bach % Rank 9 19 6
Two NHs expected to experience HS graduate decline at similar rate Rural 12 th grader share similar to population share
Post-Secondary Matriculation Rates: Metro NH 20% higher than Rural NH. State is not at 65% target for NH by 2025 70.0% 64.9% 60.0% 56.6% 50.0% 40.0% 39.5% 45.4% 30.0% 20.0% 17.1% 19.5% 10.0% 0.0% % Enrolling in Two Year % Enrolling in Four Year % Enrolling Two & Four Year Rural High Schools State Average
What does 2 NHs mean for Rural Areas Downward sloping trajectory. Something has to be done soon to significantly affect the demographic profile and local economic foundation... A focus on local area children and youth and putting them on pathways for success, including through college and then to placement with industry in the area is important Partnering with local schools and support agencies to support student success and economic alignment with growth opportunities is essential to the work of rural community colleges.. Helping to skate to where local community wants to be economically and with quality of life
CCSNH Role in NH Economy: Increase post-secondary attainment, 21 st Century skills of NH population NH economic well-being tied to increasing post-secondary matriculation rates to achieve 65% adults with college degree Every HS student and graduate is important asset for NH s economic future particularly in rural areas Where NH s rural community colleges can have significant impact: Increasing post-secondary matriculation rates Capture higher percentage of college-going NH HS grads enrolling at NH colleges Do this cost effectively and affordably by increasing percentage going to college who start with community colleges Attracting more young people to technical careers. Advanced manufacturing, IT, healthcare, hospitality among high-impact fields in NH
The River Valley Story Once Upon a Time
Brief River Valley Community College History Founded 1968, situated on 180 acres in Claremont, NH. Settled 1762, Claremont is known for industrial, manufacturing and farming. 2 nd campus site: Keene Academic Center located in Keene, NH. Considered a minor college town, Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., through Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Founded in 1885, is the nation s oldest accrediting association, serving more than 2,000 institutions. 2nd campus site: Keene Academic Center located in Keene, NH. Considered a minor college town, Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England. Exploring new site in Lebanon, NH.
Framing the Journey 1968-1989 Vocational Technical College (State Agency) 1989-1996 New Hampshire Technical College - Merged with Nashua Community College (sharing a president), became New Hampshire Community Technical College. 2006 separated from Nashua Community College - 2007 Community College System of NH established with Board of Trustees and Chancellor - 2008 became River Valley Community College Inconsistent leadership in key roles for last 5 years. (3 Interim Presidents) Upon arrival VPAA, CFO, IR, IT vacancies
Envisioning The Future Our Future By Design
RVCC Gender Comparison
RVCC Ethnicity
RVCC Credit Distribution Fall 2014
Challenges Impacting Rural Communities / Colleges Nationally Funding / Resources Enrollment Capacity Aging Facilities Aging Population Lack of Diversity / Increased Poverty / Illiteracy Lower Educational Attainment Lack Financial/Cultural/Social Advantages Weak Technology Infrastructure Recruitment and Retention Faculty and Staff Lower Salaries / More Complicated Work Recruitment and Retention of Leadership Lower Salaries / Greater Skills Required Policy Action Comprehensive Research Isolation/Geographic Barriers Fewer College-Educated Role Models Student Aspirations
Recruiting and Retaining Rural Community College Faculty New Directions for Community Colleges no137 Strategies For Recruiting and Retaining Rural Community College Faculty, Staff and Administrators Look Carefully in Your Own Backyard. Think Family. Look Far and Wide. Take a Risk. Grow Your Own. Use Business and Industry for Referral Source or Pool. Provide Professional Development and Mentoring. Balance Workload and Expectations. Innovatively Compensate for Performance. Offer Incentives Promote Job Security. Brand Quality of Life. Partner with Community to Identify and Reward Talent.
Enrollment Strategies
Infrastructure Building Hire or Train to the Mission If you hire people just because they can do a job, they ll work for your money. But if you hire people who believe what you believe, they ll work for you with blood and sweat and tears. Simon Sinek
Enhancing College Morale
Supporting Community Building
Supporting Student Engagement
Enhancing Communication
Strategic Directions
Capacity Building Lebanon Claremont Keene
Revenue Streams Tuition State Allocations?
Fundraising Raise the bridge or lower the river Add revenue or cut expenses Year of Giving Scholarship Development
Expanding Classroom Capacity Source of income (credits sold) Lifeblood for community college
Dashboard
Innovative Business and Industry Partnerships And more
Donations from Business Partners
Community Engagement
Academic Partnerships
Academic Innovation/ Economic Development Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Academic Programs
Academic Programs
Faculty & Staff Development Teaching and Learning Professional Development Wellness Initiative
The Importance of Leadership In Rural Community Colleges Presidential search teams often fail to consider in-depth the needs and environment of the rural institution ignoring to point out some of the challenges he or she may have to face after appointment (Khurana, 2002). Research supports the marketability of rural community college leaders and their institutions may require professional qualities different and at a much higher level than their urban and suburban peers. According to researchers Vaughan and Weisman, future community college leaders, especially in rural institutions, must understand and respond to economic globalization, profound changes in manufacturing and agriculture, continuing population shifts, persistent rural poverty, and a growing technological divide. Leadership in community colleges can be a major challenge in itself, and more problematic in a rural college setting. Working in rural areas with few resources will require a blend of originality, entrepreneurship, and resourcefulness.
Participation of Rural Youth In Higher Education: Factors, Strategies, and Innovations FACTORS AFFECTING PARTICIPATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION Systems Factors Academic Preparation College and Career Planning Information Cost of Higher Education Community Factors College-Educated Role Models Community and Peer Support for Higher Education Geographic Barriers Family Factors Parent Expectations Parent Education Knowledge of Resources Financial Planning Personal Factors Student Confidence Student Aspirations Gender Issues Ethnicity Culture Shock STRATEGIES TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Systems Strategies Academic Preparation College and Career Planning Scholarships and Financial Aid Community Strategies Mentors Community Involvement Videoconferencing of College Courses Out-posting College Faculty in High Schools Family Strategies Parent Involvement College Information Financial Planning Personal Strategies Student Support Career Exposure Culture Shock Prevention Poole, D.L and More, S. Center For Social Work Research, School of Social Work The University of Texas at Austin.
Q&A and Networking