SBCTC NEWS LINKS | Articles about � and of interest to � Washington state community and technical colleges
SYSTEM NEWS | OPINIONS
LCC on track to break ground on new fitness center next spring
In 2005, Lower Columbia College students voted to begin charging themselves a fee of $2.50 per credit until they reached about $2 million. Students approved the fee even though most knew they'd graduate long before they'd ever get to use the facilities. "They saw a need and they decided to assess themselves a fee knowing they probably wouldn't be reaping the benefits, but other students would," [Nolan Wheeler, LCC's interim vice president of administration] said.
The Daily News, November 2, 2011
http://tdn.com/news/local/article_e7cd7d66-04e8-11e1-b647-001cc4c03286.html
开放课程 降低教材开支 / Open course to reduce material costs
华盛顿州社区及技术大学委员会 Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, SBCTC）宣布开通"开放课程图书馆"（Open Course Library, 共提供42门大学热门课程的课程教材、教学大纲、其他阅读材料、课后习题等
The Epoch Times, November 2, 2011
http://www.epochtimes.com.au/opencourselibrary or Google Translation
Valladolid y Seattle colaborarán en la formación de sumilleres / Valladolid and Seattle collaborate in the training of sommeliers
The International Culinary School Fernando Perez de Valladolid and the Northwest Wine Academy, based in Seattle [at South Seattle Community College] have signed a partnership agreement under the International Course Professional Sommelier 2012. The event was attended, among others, by Washington State Lieutenant Governor, Brad Owen, the honorary consul of Spain in the states of Washington and Oregon, Luis Fernando Esteban ….
ABC News Madrid, October 24, 2011
http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=974168 or Google Translation
More at Lt. Governor part of wine school exchange signing ceremony
New Digital Tools Let Professors Tailor Their Own Textbooks for Under $20
The cost crunch is why Washington State is adding its own open-source repository to the fray. Thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the state is gathering community-college professors to build the Open Course Library, which will feature online course materials for the state's 81 most-enrolled classes, with a price cap of $30 per course. … Traditional publishers still customize printed books, too. Melonie D. Rasmussen, a professor of mathematics at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, in Washington, recently used a copyrighted statistics textbook for which she didn't need all the chapters. So she contacted the publisher and asked for a shorter, cheaper book. "And they've been willing to do that," she said. Ms. Rasmussen is also part of the state's Open Course Library project, and she has been using open content for years, but so far she is part of a small minority.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 9, 2011
http://chronicle.com/article/New-Digital-Tools-Let/129309/
Whatcom writer sets zombie novel in downtown Bellingham
Clean-cut and well-spoken, Robert DeCoteau keeps busy with classes at Whatcom Community College, with the hope of eventually earning a business degree at Western Washington University. He's also a single dad, raising his 6-year-old boy, Chance.
Bellingham Herald, October 31, 2011
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/10/31/2248069/whatcom-writer-sets-zombie-novel.html
Idaho's wine industry is gaining ground
"Walla Walla has been a great role model for the Treasure Valley," Fujishin said. "They have shown how you can shape a primarily agricultural community into a wine community with wine tourism and ag tourism combined." In the past decade or two, downtown Walla Walla has sprouted dozens of tasting rooms and thousands of wine-loving tourists. The area has about 200 wineries now, "and there's this great symbiotic relationship between the new wine industry and existing agriculture," he said. … One of Walla Walla's prime wine business assets is the viticulture program at Walla Walla Community College, which provides research and trains future winemakers. The Treasure Valley followed that lead, although on a much smaller scale, by opening a similar program at Treasure Valley Community College in Caldwell
Idaho Statesman, October 16, 2011
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/10/16/1841219/idahos-burgeoning-wine-industry.html#ixzz1caKDKv1o
Get a taste of what's happening across America on Make A Difference Day
Across the nation, millions of Americans are clearing their calendars to make way for USA WEEKEND Magazine's Make A Difference Day next Saturday. Corporations, kids and communities are joining the action on the nation's largest day of volunteering. The Trio Club of Centralia College in Washington plans to package donated coats, shoes, gloves and hats for needy families.
USA Weekend magazine, October 13, 2011
New class of Whiting Award winners announced
While many literary awards are for a single work or a body of completed work, the Whiting Awards are made to authors early in their careers who have demonstrated exceptional promise. Past recipients include Michael Cunningham, Jeffrey Eugenides, Jonathan Franzen, Terrance Hayes, Yiyun Li, Tony Kushner and Los Angeles poet Douglas Kearney -- an impressive list. The 2011 Whiting Foundation award winners include Don Mee Choi, who teaches Adult Basic Education / GED prep at Renton Technical College's downtown Seattle campus.
Los Angeles Times, October 26, 2011
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/10/2011-whiting-award-winners.html
Age no limit for ambitious, teenage student teacher
Kathryn Dozier-Quine is a co-teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School in Yakima, finishing up her bachelor's degree and teacher certification at Heritage University. … She plays more than 20 musical instruments and does charity shows with her sister. She distributes Avon products on the weekends, spent two years helping at a center for the deaf, and has dreams of teaching in China. And she's barely 18 years old. … Dozier-Quine was forced to wait until Yakima Valley Community College changed the 16-year-old minimum age so she could take the Compass entrance test and start Running Start college classes at age 14. Her sister, who is almost 21, waited and entered at the same time. She earned her associate of business degree from YVCC and is now an accounting major at Heritage.
Yakima Herald, October 23, 2011
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2011/10/23/age-no-limit-for-ambitious-teenage-student-teacher
County mulls Boeing lure
They want to see communities that are 100 percent ready for development," said Robin Toth, Greater Spokane Incorporated's vice president for business development.
She and Todd Woodard, marketing director for Spokane International Airport, are co-leaders of a local Project Pegasus task force that has been at work since August.
The task force also includes representatives of Spokane, Spokane County, the Spokane Area Workforce Development Council, Community Colleges of Spokane and � soon to be added � the state Department of Transportation. … Spokane's competition would include Washington cities that already have Boeing plants or possibly Grant County, which has a large runway and cheap electricity. So far, though, Project Pegasus members are focused on beating back other states, such as South Carolina or Texas.
Spokesman Review, November 1, 2011
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/nov/01/county-mulls-boeing-lure/
Lighting up lives
When the sun set on Claver Hategekimana's childhood home in Rwanda, he and his family devised clever ways to light their lives. In an African neighborhood where electrified homes were rare, Hategekimana's parents and five siblings beat the darkness by playing evening games under city street lamps and completing homework assignments by the glow of candles, wood fires and kerosene lanterns. Now, at age 40, Hategekimana has devised one more clever way to light Africa's rural homes ― a cheap array of solar-powered lights that, he believes, could illuminate African life by extending the day to allow more education, money-making tasks and family social time.
… "This isn't rocket science," said Hategekimana, coordinator of Wenatchee Valley College's Teaching and Learning Center. "It's easy, simple, cheap, lightweight and very powerful. I like to say that it'll light homes and brighten lives."
Wenatchee World, October 27, 2011
http://m.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/oct/27/lighting-up-lives/
People on the Move: Lua Pritchard
Lua Pritchard has been appointed to the board of trustees at Clover Park Technical College. She is the executive director of Asia Pacific Cultural Center and former executive director of Korean Women's Association
South Puget Sound Business Examiner, October 20, 2011
http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/people-on-move-375/
Chief Sealth, West Seattle HS College Bound scholars tour SSCC
Yesterday was College Bound Kickoff Day as Chief Sealth and West Seattle High School seniors in the College Bound Scholarship program toured South Seattle Community College. "We helped put the event together and structure it," said Vanessa Reed Calonzo, Student Outreach, Admissions, Recruitment at South. She [addressed] groups of seniors on preparing paperwork for student loans and other details to remain qualified for the scholarship. …"I'm talking to students who really know what they want to do, while some students just have no idea. I think in their senior year they're trying to come to terms with that. The pressure's on. As they're exploring it can be overwhelming to some, whereas others are ready to go … A big thing is that they see the students here in their element and I think that can make a big difference in whether they actually feel like they can see themselves here …"
West Seattle Herald, October 27, 2011
http://www.westseattleherald.com/2011/10/27/news/chief-sealth-wshs-college-bound-scholars-tour-ssc
Competitiveness key to 737's future in state
Boeing has yet to reveal where it will build its re-engined jet, and government, business and education officials say it's crucial that Washington maintains its skilled workforce to keep the 737 here. In the past, Washington has faced competition for aerospace work from states such as South Carolina, Texas and Kansas. Washington's advantage has long been its skilled workforce, which includes roughly 89,000 people. However, thousands of aerospace workers are expected to retire over the next decade as Boeing increases jet production. That has created a challenge for Boeing and Washington to develop skilled workers to replace those who retire. …
Although the study isn't complete yet, Washburn believes it will indicate that Washington needs to focus on workforce development as well as transportation improvements. Elson Floyd, president of Washington State University, emphasized the importance of education in retaining Boeing. He said he sees a need for overhauling the kindergarten to 12th grade education system. Floyd also said universities like WSU should be able to align their curriculum to meet the needs of major employers like Boeing. WSU is partnering with Everett Community College to offer engineering courses to help meet Boeing's need for engineers. "If we have engineering in Everett that's meeting Boeing's workforce needs, then Boeing is more likely to stay there," Floyd said.
The Herald, November 2, 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111102/BIZ/711029950/1005
More opportunities for science students at EdCC
Edmonds Community College's newest program to encourage students to study math and science and offer more opportunities for science students is Relationships in Science Education-RISE. "We know we need to increase the number of students obtaining degrees in STEM fields to provide a workforce for a healthy economy in the 21st century. It's a great time to be studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics!" said math instructor Deann Leoni. RISE is a National Science Foundation-funded project, with $1 million awarded to Edmonds Community College over five years, to increase the number of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math-STEM students graduating and transferring.
Edmonds Beacon, October 20, 2011
Learning English is key to immigrants' success
Executive Director Van Dinh-Kuno understands the challenges. An immigrant from Vietnam, Kuno came to the U.S. with her family in 1975. … Kuno joined Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest in 1985. The agency has six offices in five counties. Kuno works out of the office at Everett Community College.
Their primary mission is to help immigrants learn English; without it, most are relegated to low-income jobs and a difficult transition to a new country.
"You have to learn English as fast as you can," Kuno said. Clients are expected to take 16 hours of class each week, plus tutoring, plus work at non-profits where they have to speak English, forcing them to get up to speed quickly.
… Kuno said it's not unusual for a professional such as a physician to end up as a janitor, or an accountant to be working at a sandwich shop � simply because they can't master a new language. "They come to school here to try to get back to the profession they once knew," she said. "Perhaps 25 percent succeed." Many of the immigrants Kuno sees are escaping persecution. In fact, she said up to 75 percent are escaping religious persecution.
Mukilteo Beacon, November 2, 2011
Auburn School District District to honor Auburn Performing Arts Center Custodian Lyubov Grinakh
Growing up in Ukraine, Grinakh learned that public spaces, particularly theaters, are a privilege and should be treated with care, Grinakh has dedicated six years of service to this position and thanks her mother for modeling a strong work ethic. Grinakh also has dedicated herself to learning the English language. She attended [ESL] classes at Green River Community College and often learns about the English language from her 11-year-old daughter, Oksana.
Auburn Reporter, October 19, 2011
http://www.auburn-reporter.com/community/132165148.html
Auburn extends a handshake, far and wide
Auburn is aggressively carving out a place for itself in the changing global economy. Having already established productive economic, educational and cultural ties with Tamba, Japan, civic and business leaders have opened talks with dignitaries from Guanghan, China, and Pyeongchang, South Korea, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics. …
With sagging sales tax revenues forecast in a recession-pinched state, outside business can only help. Auburn continues to extend a handshake. Just as the Lions Club helped shape the Tamba relationship, Green River Community College remains a strong partner in a promising China tie-in. The college has a large contingent of foreign students from China and supports a solid aviation program, similar to Guanghan.
Auburn Reporter, October 20, 2011
http://www.auburn-reporter.com/opinion/132211048.html
Grant beefs up science, engineering classes
The Snohomish School District will offer even more science and engineering training for students in the coming years. Everett Community College has partnered with the local school district to win a three-year $879,725 grant from the National Science Foundation. The NSF grant aims to prepare students for advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs by bringing higher levels of math and science into the classroom, in the form of both equipment and instruction. The grant will create the Snohomish County Advanced Manufacturing Project (SnoCAMP). … The grant will help meet industry demand for skilled employees, and Snohomish County has the greatest number of manufacturing jobs in the state, EvCC President David Beyer said in a press release. … "Whatever we can do to help them recognize that those opportunities exist here and how they can pursue an education and training program to become employed in that, we think that's real beneficial to students," Cotterill said. In addition to the extra equipment and training, the program works to align curriculum from the high schools with college courses, to make that transition easier for students, Bennett said. The program also pairs technical college students with technical high school students in a mentorship program.
Snohomish County Tribune, October 12, 2011
http://www.snoho.com/stories_2011/10_October/101211_grant.html
Nurse assistants class leads directly to local jobs
Peace Island Hospital's need for nurses assistants and a new class at Friday Harbor High School means employment for locals. The students, made up of both adults and youth, meet Wednesday evenings and many Sundays, acquiring the skills for state certification. … With the expanding health care opportunities on San Juan Island, organizers hope this partnership will lead to a more formal set of educational programs involving Skagit Valley College or Bellingham Technical College.
San Juan Islander, October 31, 2011
Workplace wellness program saves Regence $9.2 million
Companies increasingly seek to curb health care costs through an employee wellness program, but experts say it's not always clear whether the programs work or save money. To find out, Regence Finance and Human Resource departments partnered for a hard look at the health plan's award-winning employee wellness program. In contrast to most published studies, Regence wanted a comprehensive accounting of all direct program costs to calculate the return on investment (ROI).
Clark College made the Washington Health Care Authority's list as a Washington Well Workplace.
The Columbian, November 2, 2011
http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/oct/31/workplace-wellness-program-saves-regence-92-millio/
Clark College to honor more than 200 industry professionals who volunteer time to help train students
At Clark College, more than 200 community members, business owners and industry professionals volunteer to train and advise students enrolled in technical programs.
The school will honor them at an evening reception Thursday. … "These are individuals who work out in the community and are very knowledgeable in the field," Clark College spokeswoman Barbara Kerr said.
The Oregonian, November 2, 2011
http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2011/11/clark_college_to_honor_more_th.html
How a carbon-fiber key chain could lead to building a 787 / Aerospace workshop to expose teenage girls to career possibilities
With an aging aerospace workforce, local industry leaders are looking for ways to recruit younger workers. In some cases, that means reaching out to students in middle and high schools. Next month, six local teenage girls will attend a three-day workshop at the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center in Everett. "We're really trying to get young students interested in aerospace," said Cyndi Schaeffer, executive director for Edmonds Community College's Business Training Center. The college oversees the training center, which was established by the Aerospace Futures Alliance and Snohomish County. Linda Lanham, executive director for Aerospace Futures Alliance, said efforts like this are "crucial to the survival of the aerospace industry."
The Herald, November 1, 2011
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111101/SCBJ22/311019997/1005/BIZ
SCC Spearheading Statewide Aerospace Training Initiative
With Boeing ramping up production on airliners over the next few years there's a new initiative to fill aerospace jobs in Washington, and Spokane Community College is working to train people to get their foot in the aerospace industry's door.
KXLY TV, October 28, 2011
http://www.kxly.com/news/29619739/detail.html or Watch video
TRENDS| HORIZONS | EDUCATION
A better community starts with better education
If you think of cities that were once struggling but are now thriving, such as Pittsburgh, Boston or Seattle, all of them are anchored by outstanding universities. UNLV, meanwhile, has faced budget cuts of $73 million and staffing cuts of 700, while its students have confronted tuition increases of 73 percent in the past four years. Professors have had their salaries and benefits cut. Programs have been eliminated and professors lost to competing universities. Morale is flagging. … Education is, of course, no panacea. But in America today, the data is clear: Educated people and the cities they live in are far better off ― and not just financially ― than the rest. … More smart people. Less dumb people. Elitist? Yes, but also a simple public policy solution to our many problems.
Las Vegas Sun, November 1, 2011
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/01/better-community-starts-better-education/
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