By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Local leaders from business, education, and government met Monday morning to do a little shopping – for next school year.
The meeting took place at the Crawford County Education and Economic Development Partnership offices and was with North Central State College President Dr. Dorey Diab, Dr. Karen Reed and Betty Preston. The discussion pertained to NC State’s course offerings and operation at the soon-to-be Crawford Connection Center. Discussion covered the entire range of what would be offered, to whom it would be offered, how it would be marketed and what could be done to make it feasible for both traditional and non-traditional students.
“We’ve been working on this process for about three years,” said David Williamson, director for the Partnership.
The Crawford Connection Center will offer the opportunity for local residents to pursue associate and bachelor degrees. NC State will direct the curriculum and instruction. The entire project has been working with Crawford County school districts and businesses to shape the courses offered, ensure dual enrollment opportunities, and availability of classes to both traditional and non-traditional students.
“Everything has come together to make this happen,” Diab said. “We’re making good progress with this space.”
The space Diab referred to was office space at 130 North Walnut Street in Bucyrus, literally a stone’s throw from the meeting. The building most recently housed the Crawford County Board of Elections and is currently being renovated for what will be a satellite of NC State.
Williamson let it be known the name was now official – Crawford Connection Center. “The idea (is) that it will help students make a connection to success.”
Diab, referencing other meetings that have taken place, summarized what had been discussed. “It’s a big universe – all over the place.”
The NC State president said just about anything was on the table as far as class scheduling.
“Day, evening, weekend classes – we’re trying to be as flexible as possible,” Diab said. “All we’re asking is that you provide us the critical mass.”
That “critical mass” is 10 to 15 students per class.
As far as marketing, helping prospective students understand the value and need to pursue educational opportunities to develop careers options for themselves, Reed said that the community itself would be important.
Financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships available to those at the NC State campus in Mansfield will be made available to students who go to class in Bucyrus.
“We’ll begin that recruitment early this year,” Reed said.
Bucyrus Superintendent Kevin Kimmel has been the liaison for all county school superintendents in the planning phases. Kimmel said he is hopeful the effort to provide classes locally will help him reach students that often go unreached and as a result unprepared for the 21st century job market.
“That’s the one-third I’m most concerned about. There’s another layer of kids capable of taking college classes,” Kimmel said. “Once they start going down that path, I think that’s what is going to turn things around.”
Diab noted NC State’s success and emphasis on training for the health field as well as manufacturing and engineering. He said one of the things that would be addressed in courses at Crawford County would focus on the agricultural industry. Those can include ag-related certificate programs, alternative energy, geographical information systems.
“We’re going to think outside the box.”
Reed noted the plan was to link training directly to careers that are available in the area.
“We have a career tool that helps them explore possibilities,” Reed said. “They can match careers that help them meet their inner needs.”
Both a computer lab and a mobile lab offering the latest in machine training and other opportunities will be made available to students at the Crawford Connection Center.
Reed also said they hoped to create a cohort group – perhaps as many as 25 students who begin a program together and can follow the same schedule all the way through to completion.
Tuition will be the same in Bucyrus as it is in Mansfield, currently $149 per credit hour for credit courses towards a degree. Two-thirds of all students at NC State receive some type of financial aid.
Although building preparations are in their early stages, Williamson noted students will be taking classes very soon.
“The building is being completed and classes begin next fall,” Williamson said. “Eleven months from now.”
Diab said the community needs to realize this opportunity, what Williamson calls a “game changer,” is for the entire county.
“The economy that we live in right now, the culture that we live in now is completely different than it used to be,” Diab said. We live in a global, very competitive type of economy. Higher education has become absolutely critical for us in order to get the jobs that we need.”
A ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Oct. 27.