MCC-BTC Enrollment Surpasses 1,000!

Although the Precision Machine lab staff assured us they could manufacture a cake pan in the shape of 1,000, we chose 100 cupcakes instead.
At BTC’s campus inservice from left: Ed McCarty, Cisco Academy Program Coordinator; Peeking from behind balloons, Karen Moore, Dean of Student Services; Dick Decker, HVAC Instructor; Jess Harding, HVAC Program Coordinator; and Mike Thorne, HVAC Instructor.

During the first week of 2011, a singular yet significant change happened at MCC-BTC. Our current headcount crossed the threshold from a three-digit number to four digits. MCC-BTC now has more than 1,000 students!

In the last three years, enrollment has grown by 40 percent from around 750 students in 2008 to nearly 1,060 today. During the same period, more than 2,000 credit hours have been added to the BTC schedule.

“We’ve become a full-service campus over the last couple of years – we’ve added a Learning Resource Center, a student lounge, and a full-time placement coordinator to name a few of our recent developments,” said Tom Wheeler, Dean of Instruction.

“Our math classes are bursting at the seams,” said campus president, Debbie Goodall. “Introducing math, English and reading classes at the BTC has allowed our students to build complete class schedules at our campus.”

MCC-BTC became a formal, stand-alone campus in 2002. From 1995-2002 the location served as satellite “center” for several technical programs offered at MCC-Maple Woods and for training for what is now known as Business Learning Solutions, a revenue-generating division of MCC.

“I’ve seen lots of changes to the curriculum and programs since I started in 2004,” said Gene Johnson, Industrial Technology Program Coordinator. “Our student population has changed over time from around 400 students mostly from large companies like Harley, Ford or General Motors. Now we have a distinct split between credit and non-credit students. Over my time here, we’ve managed to keep our business consulting services through BLS and grow a full-functioning campus with many credit program choices.”

As of spring 2011, students have more than 45 technical degree and certificate programs options on the MCC-BTC campus, including six different Engineering Technology degrees, five Industrial Technology degrees and the latest additions: Electric Utility Line Technology and Welding & Management.

“In a very real way, we are in a perfect storm of technical education,” said Goodall. “Innovation and technology are forcing American workers to recognize the value and necessity of continued education. People are starting to understand that you have to have increasingly sophisticated skills to get and keep a good job in technical fields.

“We recognize the recession has played a role in our enrollment growth,” said Goodall. “But I am confident that, as Missouri continues to climb out of the recession, our growth pattern will hold provided we focus on our students’ success and invest in the outreach needed to explain the importance of skills in today’s workplace. To gain recognition as a center of quality education and training, we have to continue to expand our partnerships with area businesses and organizations and ensure that our programs and laboratories stay current.”

MCC-BTC TIMELINE

2002
• The Business & Technology Campus becomes the fifth accredited MCC campus offering six focus areas – HVAC, Industrial Technologies, Machine Tool, Welding, Computer Aided Drafting and Design, and Environmental Health & Safety

2003
• Library & computer lab opens on campus

2004
• First graduation at MCC-BTC

2006
• Bookstore opens at MCC-BTC
• MIIKC begins, leading to 200 job-ready graduates and leading to new partnerships between MCC-BTC and Kansas City businesses and manufacturers

2007
• Electric Utility Line Technician program begins

2008
• Full-time Financial Aid Advisor allows students to apply for and receive FA on campus
• Engineering Technology program begins, offering six focus areas – civil, mechanical/manufacturing, architectural, computer & electronics, electronics, and CAD.

2009
• Gen Ed classes expand to include math, English, and reading

2010
• Full-time learning specialist is hired and the Learning Center opens allowing students to receive free tutoring on campus
• Full-time Placement Coordinator is hired to secure internships and jobs for graduating students
• Murals representing the programs offered begin to decorate the walls of BTC. Each was designed and painted by MCC’s own Darlene Town.
• Welding & Management A.A.S. degree program begins

2011
• Student population reaches more than 1,000!
• Full-time staff and faculty population reach 75!
• FabLab is opens its doors to the public allowing students, inventors, entrepreneurs, and local businesses to utilize and learn on the high-tech equipment at MCC-BTC