UCM President Charles Ambrose and MCC Chancellor Mark James spoke at a press conference Thursday to announce a new partnership in Cass County. Sen. David Pearce and Commissioner Gary Mallory, who have lent considerable support to the project, also delivered remarks at the event, held at High Blue Wellness Center in Belton.The new Cass County Partnership for Advanced Training and Education will deliver higher education and training throughout Cass County, an area that has traditionally been underserved by higher education institutions. By providing both businesses and residents with easier access to all of the resources of UCM’s Warrensburg campus, its Summit Center in Lee’s Summit and MCC’s five metro-area campuses, the partnership will serve as a model for workforce development and higher education attainment, local and state officials said.
“This is a project that the entire state will be watching as an example of how education should be delivered to our residents,” said State Sen. David Pearce, R-Cass County. “We need to be efficient. We need to be lean and mean.”
The partnership, which had been in various stages of development for the last several years, was kick-started earlier this year when a needs assessment conducted by the county commission revealed specific and earnest interest from area residents and business owners. The assessment identified three primary audiences for the partnership’s services and programs:
- high school students nearing graduation
- adults who have started but not completed a college degree; and
- employers who need performance consulting or skills-enhancement training
Both UCM and MCC have served county residents in the past, college officials said, but this integrated effort will actually bring some of the colleges’ programs to the county.
As an example, MCC Chancellor Mark James cited a mobile enrollment program that was piloted at two Cass County high schools in 2007. The success of that program, which has operated from MCC’s Longview campus, can now be built upon, he said.
“We have seen higher retention rates and academic success when we engage in relationships with students in their hometown or high schools,” James said. “And with this new partnership, now we can connect with these young students and other Cass Countians using the resources of all of the MCC campuses and all of UCM’s great programs and resources.”
In addition to traditional college classes and career and technical training programs, the partnership will provide workforce development services by collaborating with businesses in the county to create customized training to prepare employees for new technology or workforce innovations.
“Through this partnership, we want to help Cass County residents meet and exceed their life’s goals,” said UCM President Charles Ambrose.
A web page is being built to provide additional information and solicit input from residents about the kinds of programming they would like to see brought to the county. People may also call 816.348.2080 with questions. The partnership will operate from an office in the Heritage Building in Belton.
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