MCC selected for pilot accreditation program

Accreditation is something that every institution of higher learning takes seriously – the ten-year review cycle encourages schools to strive to meet the education needs of the students they serve and prepare them to meet their goals. As it is now, MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission via PEAQ – Program to Evaluate and Advance Quality. The campus was last accredited in 2006 and is due for another reaccreditation visit in 2016.

But MCC has been selected, along with other two- and four-year institutions, to participate in a new pilot program from the Higher Learning Commission. Along with other national colleges and universities, MCC will participate in the HLC Open Pathways program. The program was offered to schools with a solid record of accreditation, inviting them to participate in the four-year Academy for Assessment of Student Learning.

The academy will require participating institutions to design a project that meets college needs, appropriate in scope and significance for the institution. During the improvement project, institutions will be subject to regular HLC and peer reviews, and will have access to all the work done by previous institutions undergoing the pilot program.

Gov. Jay Nixon announces economic growth plans at MCC-Maple Woods

At his press conference at MCC-Maple Woods, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced several objectives aimed at growing employment opportunities in the Kansas City area and statewide. Nixon revealed the findings of his executive advisory board for economic planning and announced his five-year Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth, naming seven targeted industries that will be the focus of development for the next several years.

Among them, animal and plant science is a major economic driver in the Kansas City Metro area, which is part of Missouri’s impressive animal health corridor. Topping Nixon’s list of objectives is preparing the workforce with the skills they need to compete for jobs. MCC-Maple Woods’ veterinary technology program trains students with a nearly 100% board exam and job success rate, compared to around 75% for other animal science programs and is one of MCC’s key career programs.

MCC as a whole is creating new classes, programs and certificates designed to meet the governor’s objective as part of the Training for Tomorrow initiative, also designed to help Missourians re-enter the workforce.

The report is only a preliminary step in the process, however, as the board will continue to meet with regional business, labor, education and economic development officials to develop plans for meeting the governor’s strategic objectives in the target industries, which also include advanced manufacturing, transportation, health sciences, information technology, financial and professional services, and energy.

Nixon’s other objectives include retaining and expanding existing businesses, optimizing tax credits, investing in technology and innovation, aggressively marketing the state, developing the state's foreign trade efforts, encouraging small- and minority business development, and providing an infrastructure for companies and communities to be successful.

Eldercare presentation at MCC-Penn Valley

The MCC Eldercare Support Group has been organized for about a year and will host an event to share important tips on this timely topic.

On Nov. 18, Craig Reaves, certified elder law attorney, will share legal tips for caregivers. The presentation will be from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in room 203 of the Carter Art Center at MCC-Penn Valley.

The event will also be a great source of support and resources for those traveling the different paths that accompany eldercare.

The major emphasis of Reaves’ law practice is in the areas of estate planning, elder law, special needs trusts and planning for persons who have a disability. He’s also an adjunct professor who teaches elder law at KU and UMKC.

Craig has offered to come to MCC to do a presentation of information and advice for anyone interested in, or challenged by, these issues. This will be a great source of support and resources for anyone as we progress on our different paths through the eldercare experience.

For more information about Craig Reaves, go to http://www.elderlawanswers.com/wsb-sliced/display_3.asp?firmid=758

The event is free and open to the public. To reserve a space, contact nancy.harrington@mcckc.edu by Nov. 12.

MCC Buildings Win Regional Design Awards

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City and architecture firm Gould Evans have been recognized by the Central States Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for architectural achievement on three of MCC’s storm shelters.

The MCC-Penn Valley Education Center, MCC-Maple Woods Campus Center and MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center, which serve their respective campuses and surrounding communities as FEMA-certified shelter environments, each received a Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture at an AIA event last month in St. Louis, Mo. The three buildings, which opened in 2009, were designed by architects from Gould Evans’ Kansas City office.

“We take great pride in this recognition from the AIA,” said Mark James, MCC chancellor. “These buildings are not only beautifully designed but they serve a significant function in the event of severe weather.”

FEMA shelters must be able to withstand an F5 tornado and must be within five minutes’ walking or driving distance from everywhere on the campus.

“We are delighted with the design solution for each campus location and how well they serve their separate programs,” said Anthony Rohr, AIA, Gould Evans national managing principal. “The entire team never thought of these buildings as shelters, but as architecture.”

The Central States Chapter of AIA represents professionals in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

The Kansas Chapter of AIA also recognized the same three buildings last month, presenting a Citation Award for Excellence in Architecture at their annual design awards ceremony in Topeka on September 16.

Record enrollment at MCC campuses highlights need for education in uncertain economy

Although several economists have declared the Great Recession over and the US in a state of recovery, jobs are still hard to find, and education is still the best opportunity for many students - returning and first-time alike - to be competitive in a changed job market.

MCC provides programs designed to move people into in-demand jobs, like law-enforcement, healthcare, veterinary technology and automotive technology, as well as versatile associate of arts or applied sciences degrees for transferring to four-year institutions. All campuses, MCC-Penn Valley, MCC-Blue River, MCC-Business and Technology, MCC-Maple Woods and MCC-Logview, have seen an enrollment increase of at least 5% for the Fall 2010 semester.

Maple Woods, with a headcount of 6,213, has seen a 7.3% rise in enrollment since last semester and has reached record enrollment, according to Dean of Student Development and Enrollment Services Shelli Allen.

A 5.5% increase at Longview, whose students now number of 8,000, has pushed enrollment to its highest level on that campus since the 1980's, according to registrar David Fritz.

Business and Technology has seen the highest increase in students among the campuses at 17.4%

Blue River and Penn Valley have seen increases of 10.3% and 5% respectively.

Overall, MCC has seen an 8% rise in student enrollment and a 7.8% increase in credit hours for the Fall 2010 semester.

MCC-Maple Woods hosts MCC Leadership Academy

MCC-Maple Woods hosted the MCC Leadership Academy on campus Sept. 24. Dr. Tom Vansaghi, associate vice chancellor of community and college relations, gave a presentation on communicating during a crisis.

Tips for staying safe on campus

Metropolitan Community College is committed to ensuring the safety of students, staff and community members on all MCC campuses. Knowing what to do and where to go for help is the cornerstone of staying safe at all times.

MCC makes it simple.

Public safety officers are stationed on each MCC campus. They work in coordination with other departments and organizations to keep campuses secure. We can all make their jobs easier by remembering the following tips:

Safety Tip 1: In case of emergency, parking lots are equipped with designated call boxes. The red call buttons patch calls directly to “911”. Similarly, the black buttons are filtered to the campus public safety office.

In a recent article, the online publication Campus Safety Magazine praised call boxes, such as those on MCC campuses, because they enable individuals to “communicate with campus law enforcement who can pinpoint the caller’s location, thereby reducing response time and getting immediate help to the caller.”

Again, call stations and the alert buttons are for emergency situations only. If your circumstance is not an emergency, call or visit your campus Public Safety for assistance.

MCC’s Public Safety officers encourage everyone to play a part in campus safety. For instance, quickly report suspicious individuals (or questionable activity) to your campus’ Public Safety Department.

Safety Tip 2: Should you need to dial 911 from a campus telephone, make a mental note to dial “8” before dialing “911”.

Safety Tip 3: Know whom to call and how. Either bookmark this page to your favorites or write down your campus safety office number for quick and easy access. You may also sign up for campus text updates by clicking here.

Public Safety Staff by Campus

Blue River Public Safety
816.604.6523

Business & Technology Center Public Safety
816.604.5260

Penn Valley Public Safety
816. 604.4123

Maple Woods Public Safety
816. 604.3123

Longview Public Safety
816. 604.2123

Pioneer Public Safety
(816) 604-5023


To visit MCC's Public Safety website, click here.

*Special thanks to Blue River's Security Officer, Marla Wynes for pictures, tips and resources.

Libraries, tutoring, counselors, Oh my! MCC connects students with campus resources

Full classrooms, lively student centers and lots of activities – students are back on campus at MCC-Penn Valley, MCC-Longview, MCC-Maple Woods, MCC-Blue River and MCC-Business & Technology. Campus life and leadership coordinators on each campus planned a full Welcome Week line up to get students back in the swing for the fall semester.



At Maple Woods, Misty Chandler, interim campus life and leadership coordinator, along with the Collegiate Activities Board, hosted a week full of events for students. A student resource fair, where students were able to visit with programs and organizations on campus; Student Center Day, an introduction to what the ultimate student hangout has to offer; a Welcome Back! Cookout with free food and games; and a Monarch Madness rally to get students fired up about the upcoming soccer season were all attended by new and returning Maple Woods students. For more photos of Welcome Week excitement, visit the MCC-Maple Woods Current Students Facebook Page for more photos of events!

Penn Valley's Welcome Week Block Party

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Sept. 7-10. at the Campus Center

A Block Party Picnic featuring DJ SunUp Jones (Sept. 7)

Know Your Community Day (Sept. 8)

Not Yo’ Grandmama’s Bingo (Sept. 9)

Black Healthcare (Sept. 10)

Longview's Campus Resource Fair

9:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Sept. 8 outside the Campus Center

Students can get connected with campus organizations and resources.

Visit our website for more upcoming events!

Nominate outstanding community college alumni - deadline Sept. 3

The American Association of Community College's annual awards season is underway. Each year the organization honors Outstanding Alumni who have excelled in their field and given back to their community.

As the first community college in the country to offer an associate's degree, MCC is definitely poised to present an impressive slate of candidates for this honor. To nominate outstanding alumni for this prestigious distinction, apply online at http://www.aacc.nche.edu/About/Awards/oaa/Pages/default.aspx

Act quickly - the deadline to submit nominees is Friday, Sept. 3, 2010.