Transfer advisors on campus weekly this summer at MCC-Blue River

MCC-Blue River has been working to create more opportunities for students to transfer to universities; transfer advisors from the University of Central Missouri and Graceland University will be on campus each week this summer to help students create a path from MCC-Blue River to a four-year or graduate degree. Having transfer advisors on campus allows students to find help for planning their transfer early.

Below are the summer hours for each advisor:

Graceland University transfer advisor summer dates/hours

June 9

June 16

June 30

Office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Call Seth Wilmes for appointments at 816.833.0524 ext. 4804

University of Central Mussouri transfer advisor summer dates/hours

July 12

July 19

Office hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Walk-in advising – No appointment Necessary

Students are encouraged to stop by the Welcome Center and visit with the advisors from UCM and Graceland if they are interested in transferring to either institution.

Agreement Offers Seamless Transfer from MCC to UCM Tech Programs

Signifying a mutual commitment to making higher education more accessible for students, the University of Central Missouri and Metropolitan Community College announced a new articulation agreement benefitting students studying engineering technology and computer-aided drafting and design technology.

The agreement provides for the seamless transfer of students from the Associate of Applied Science in Computer-Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) or Engineering Technology degrees at the MCC-Business and Technology Campus to the bachelor’s degree programs in CADD or Engineering Technology-Mechanical in UCM’s School of Technology. In other words, students who complete one of these two associate’s degree programs at MCC can be sure that the courses they take will transfer to the bachelor’s degree programs at UCM.

The agreement, signed in September by UCM President Charles Ambrose and MCC Chancellor Mark James, is effective immediately. A student will need a minimum of 124 semester hours to earn the bachelor’s degree at UCM. About half of the coursework can be taken at MCC-BTC.

President Ambrose said the agreement is an example of what can be accomplished when two institutions work together to create educational opportunities for students.

“It’s wonderful to be an active partner with MCC, which is committed to creating a seamless path for student access and success,” Ambrose said. “Through partnerships, UCM is creating new models of educational pathways that will make higher education more accessible to all students.”

MCC-BTC students will be able to transfer to the B.S. in CADD Technology at UCM, the only such bachelor’s degree in the Midwest, if they have earned the A.A.S. in one of four areas:
· Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
· Engineering Technology – Civil emphasis
· Engineering Technology – Architectural emphasis
· Engineering Technology – Mechanical/Manufacturing emphasis

MCC students who choose the mechanical/manufacturing emphasis also have the option to transfer to the B.S. in Engineering Technology – Mechanical, also known as Product Design.

According to Deborah Goodall, president of the MCC-Business and Technology Campus, local workforce demand and encouragement of continued education were the two main drivers for the development of the agreement.

“This agreement is particularly important because it encourages our students to pursue a baccalaureate degree, and it enhances our joint efforts to prepare more engineering technologists,” said Goodall. “The Greater Kansas City area has more engineering, architecture and construction companies than many major metropolitan areas in the country. There is a clear need for technologists who work alongside engineers, architects and construction project managers to assist with design development and project implementation and monitoring.”

At last month's ceremonial signing of the articulation agreement, UCM President Charles Ambrose and MCC Chancellor Mark James are joined by (back row, from left) George Wilson, UCM provost and vice president for academic affairs; Kyle Palmer, UCM professor and coordinator of computer-aided drafting and design technology and technology internship coordinator; Deborah Goodall, MCC-Business and Technology Campus president; William Allyn, MCC-BTC program coordinator of engineering technology and computer-aided drafting; and Thomas Wheeler, MCC-BTC dean of instruction.

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:

• 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.

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.