NHCTC Commissioner Bill Simonton, CCSNH-Berlin President Kathy Eneguess, and Paul Halloway, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NH Department of Regional Community Technical Colleges were the presenters at the 2006 Legislative/Advisory update at CCSNH-Berlin.
Community leaders and friends of the CCSNH-Berlin gathered at the College last week for the annual Legislative and Advisory dinner/meeting. Paul Halloway, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the NH Department of Regional Community Technical Colleges showed statistics that ranked New Hampshire 2nd in the US for places to be employed, which in turn has increased the number of people moving to the state. Three out of four adults residing in the NH with a bachelor's degree and higher were born in another state. The challenge is to keep students in NH during their education, as well as after. However, over 95% of New Hampshire Community College students are NH residents, and enrollment is growing among young people. A priority of the NHCTC System Board is to maintain the quality as well as the affordability of attending the college.
Among the factors that helped the college system grow over the past years are the uncoupling of the colleges, NHCTC's partnerships with local high schools, and NHCTC's partnerships in education. In 2005, the statewide System found that the merged campus structure is not an effective or efficient management or leadership structure and encouraged 'uncoupling' the campuses. Since the change, the more focused leadership has resulted in better management, more effective resource development, and more attention to the local and regional needs.
The partnership with local high schools has resulted in the extremely beneficial Running Start Program. High school students participating in the program can take classes for concurrent high school and college credit during their normal school day. The cost for the college course is $100, a substantial savings for the high school student. Courses are currently available in the liberal arts, pre-engineering, and technical fields. Seventy high schools now offer Running Start courses, enrolling almost 3000 students. The program was selected by the New England Board of Higher Education for Program Excellence in November 2005.
One of the biggest changes to the System lately has been the collaboration between NHCTC and Granite State College in the North Country. This partnership will help to move forward joint regional planning to meet higher educational needs without duplicating resources, and it will strengthen transfer pathways. The College is also in collaboration with Plymouth State University in the Child Care program.
NHCTC Commissioner Bill Simonton wrapped up the evening by pointing out encouraging facts to the audience and what the plans are for future growth. CCSNH Berlin President Kathy Eneguess said it best when she stated that, "The New Hampshire Community College Education System is a higher education center for all four years and much more." For more information about the Running Start Program, or any program offerings, please call CCSNH-Berlin 752-1113.
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