A Blue Devil that is!!
As I was preparing to write this post I came across an article a colleague of mine recently had published in the American Association of Community Colleges, Community College Daily. Entitled “Failure is a choice we make“, the article reflects on how colleges, like businesses, fail when the College does not adapt to changing environments, and leadership ignores warning signs and becomes paralyzed by tradition or ignorance. The article goes on to speak about all the good work taking place at Harrisburg Area Community College and how employees are encouraged to take calculated risks knowing that not all will be successful.
When thinking of all the good work taking place at KCKCC and how individuals are working hard to achieve College goals, of course, we have the incredible example of the ladies basketball team winning the Division, Regional and National Championships. Their hard work and dedication exemplifies the pursuit of excellence at KCKCC!
However, we also have many other great examples of exemplary work, such as KCKCC’s new Veterans Center staff serving their 1,000 customer last week and recently being recognized as an official Student Veterans of America Chapter; Stacy Tucker, KCKCC PTK advisor, receiving 5 Star status and our PTK program receiving a 5 Star chapter rating, the highest level awarded, and several of our PTK students receiving regional awards; our vocal ensemble, The Standard, lead by John Stafford, releasing their debut Jazz CD; KCKCC’s Culinary program winning a silver medal at the regional Team Culinary Challenge. And, last but definitely not least, KCKCC’s Building Engineering and Maintenance Technology @KCKCCBPM students building several Veterans Community Homes. These are just a very few of countless samples of KCKCC’s current greatness.
But, back to the article and how colleges must constantly be aware of the the workforce and educational environments that surround them. If they don’t, they will experience defeat from those that do. We must be nimble, constantly reexamining and reinventing ourselves, and recognize that when asked why we do something the way we do, ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it’ is not truly an answer.
I am honored to say that KCKCC is innovating and planning for the future! We understand that #WeCreateOurFuture! No one else! It is what we do on a daily basis that makes us who we are, not what we did last year. We don’t rest on our loreals and are not afraid to take strategic risks.
During the last 10 months, KCKCC has taken bold steps to advance how we operate as an institution and how we are preparing ourselves for the future. To better serve students, in the coming fall, KCKCC will have a one-stop-shop for college placement and career services! In the currently being renovated advising and college placement space, the back half of the area will be used for career placement services. Also improving the placement of students into college-level course work, academic disciplines will be relying less on high-stake placement test scores and moving towards the use of multiple measures. Academic programs are also enhancing business and industry relationships. Still a work in progress, KCKCC hopes to launch a “guaranteed jobs program” with two of our programs! This is an incredible opportunity for both our students looking for work and employers who struggle finding a skilled workforce.
Also, being initiated in the last 10 months a Request for Proposals was sent to companies and individuals in the early childhood/early education profession. Receiving nine responses, the early childhood task force is working to have the on-campus childcare center open for fall 2019!
Fall 2019 is shaping up to be a tremendous semester for KCKCC! With nearly 18,000 people, age 25-64, living in downtown KCK currently working full time but still living in poverty, the College is committed to go where people need the help the most. With that, KCKCC will be teaching evening classes at Wyandotte High School! Soon to be scheduled classes include 100-level general education/gateway courses, developmental education, Administrative Office Professional courses, GED and ESL, and pending the timely build out of a facility, carpentry and construction technologies. While looking to start downtown with classes at WHS, the College is simultaneously pursuing property in the KCK downtown core for our future “KCKCC Downtown” location! Additionally, planning is still in the works to offer KCKCC classes physically at the Amazon MKC6 Distribution Center! Along with teaching on-site, work is being done to name KCKCC as the preferred educational provider for Amazon’s Career Choice education plan.
Additionally, exciting work is being done to cultivate additional relationships with community organizations, business and industry professionals and possible donors to create programs and services that will holistically meet the needs of our diverse community! During the past few weeks, members of President’s Cabinet, faculty, staff and I, met with leaders and executives from: KCK YMCA, Missouri/Kansas Goodwill, KCK Unified Government, the National Organization of Minority Architects, the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for Kansas (east), Kansas State Olathe, Leavenworth School District, Prep KC, Wyandotte County Commissioners, and others.
During the next six weeks, additional meetings are scheduled with a variety of organizations, including meetings with philanthropic organizations who may be able to assist KCKCC as we expand our outreach to better meet the needs of our many stakeholders in the Greater KC and Leavenworth regions.
Not all of these meetings and plans will result in success for KCKCC. However, we must continually pursue new and innovative ways to do business, because as stated by Dr. Sygielski (Ski) “Colleges are businesses hidden in the mystique of academics“. And, to survive in business we must be student focused, innovative, effective and efficient!
Thank you to everyone who is involved to help turn these many conversations and shared visions into reality! The best is yet to come! Stay tuned…
It’s Good to be Blue!! ~ Dr. M.