The Star Herald, Northwest Cass County’s newspaper, reported last week of the enthusiasm and support their community has regarding the steps MCC has taken to connect their local high schools with MCC resources. MCC courses are forming in Cass County and are scheduled to be available this spring.
College nights are scheduled next week to provide students from Belton High School, Raymore-Peculiar High School and Harrisonville High School with information about the financial aid process, the importance of seeking advice from counselors regarding degree plans, and other enrollment information.
To see the complete article in The Star Herald, click here.
Showing posts with label Cass County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cass County. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
MCC and UCM Announce Cass County Partnership
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 standing-room-only crowd at yesterday's press conference to announce the new partnership between MCC, the University of Central Missouri and the Cass County Commission enthusiastically embraced news of the partnership, which will bring new workforce training and higher education opportunities to county residents.
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:
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.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Cass County Higher Ed Partnership to be Announced this Week
Metropolitan Community College will be front and center at a press conference this week where a new higher education and workforce training partnership in Cass County will be announced. The partnership, between MCC and the University of Central Missouri, will give Cass County residents better and broader access to education and career training resources.Details of the partnership will be revealed at the press conference, which will be held at 10:30 a.m. this Thursday, Sept. 23, at the Belton Community Center. Speakers will include:
- Missouri State Senator David Pearce
- Cass County Presiding Commissioner Gary Mallory
- UCM President Charles Ambrose
- MCC Chancellor Mark James
Watch The MCC Insider next week for further details about this new partnership.
Friday, July 30, 2010
MCC Partners with UCM to Serve Cass County
MCC and the University of Central Missouri have formed a unique partnership that will increase higher education and workforce training opportunities in Cass County. The collaboration, dubbed the Cass County Partnership for Advanced Training and Education, was formed in conjunction with the Cass County Commission, which has been working for years to bring higher education to county residents.
The initiative will address the county’s education and training needs by offering streamlined services and providing comprehensive information about all of the opportunities available through both MCC and UCM. Existing recruitment, advising and marketing efforts will become centrally coordinated to achieve a cohesive message.
Three primary groups will be served by the partnership:
· High school students looking for higher education or career training options after graduation
· Adults looking to start or complete a degree, certificate or career training program
· Businesses looking to increase their productivity and effectiveness through employee training
Preliminary needs assessment survey results indicate interest among each of these groups.
“The bottom line is, MCC and UCM want to provide easier access to education and training for Cass County residents,” said Juan Rangel, director of MCC Business & Learning Solutions and coordinator of the initiative. “There are 30,000 people in the county who have taken some college coursework but have not earned a degree or certificate. We’re now going to make it easier for those residents to look at all of the options – from an associate’s degree to a certification to a master’s degree – and decide what’s best for them.”
The partnership will operate out of a shared office in the Heritage office building in Belton. Belton is the only city in Cass County that currently falls within MCC’s district.
Two informational sessions for county residents are planned for early August. A formal announcement of the partnership is planned for mid- to late September.
The initiative will address the county’s education and training needs by offering streamlined services and providing comprehensive information about all of the opportunities available through both MCC and UCM. Existing recruitment, advising and marketing efforts will become centrally coordinated to achieve a cohesive message.
Three primary groups will be served by the partnership:
· High school students looking for higher education or career training options after graduation
· Adults looking to start or complete a degree, certificate or career training program
· Businesses looking to increase their productivity and effectiveness through employee training
Preliminary needs assessment survey results indicate interest among each of these groups.
“The bottom line is, MCC and UCM want to provide easier access to education and training for Cass County residents,” said Juan Rangel, director of MCC Business & Learning Solutions and coordinator of the initiative. “There are 30,000 people in the county who have taken some college coursework but have not earned a degree or certificate. We’re now going to make it easier for those residents to look at all of the options – from an associate’s degree to a certification to a master’s degree – and decide what’s best for them.”
The partnership will operate out of a shared office in the Heritage office building in Belton. Belton is the only city in Cass County that currently falls within MCC’s district.
Two informational sessions for county residents are planned for early August. A formal announcement of the partnership is planned for mid- to late September.
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