Technical and Community College Programs Have New Road Map
About 16 percent of NMU students are enrolled in technical and community college (TCC) programs leading to a diploma, certificate or associate degree. These programs are featured prominently in the current issue of Horizons alumni magazine and the NMU Board of Trustees recently heard about a new five-year strategic plan specific to TCC departments. Modeled after the university’s Road Map to 2015, the plan is designed to ensure strategic curricular goals and priorities are selected and regional workforce development objectives are met.
"Our next step is to develop specific strategic plans at the department level that are informed by the TCC Road Map," said Paul Lang (Professional Studies). "These efforts will flow from the leadership at the department level and will involve the innovative thinking of students, faculty, department heads and external constituents alike. The outcome will be specific documents that reflect the goals and objectives of our TCC departments that extend out through the year 2015."
The TCC Road Map identifies several five-year goals in four broad areas. They are:
Innovation
▪Study regional industries’ needs to provide TCC programs curricula and develop innovative new programs that fill these critical regional needs, continually evaluating and assessing the curricula
▪Develop strategies that support TCC programs at NMU
▪Develop innovative strategies to support faculty in the implementation of workforce initiatives
▪Provide the ability for students to ladder into relevant baccalaureate programs
▪Develop collaborative interdisciplinary initiatives across the TCC programs involving external entities that hire graduates
▪Support faculty in endeavors that improve student academic preparedness
Meaningful Lives
▪Improve retention/completion rates of TCC students by employing best practices
▪Produce graduates who are competitive in seeking employment and/or pursuing advanced education
▪Increase the number of TCC program collaborations with K-12 systems
▪Integrate the highest possible level of technology, ensuring every student’s technological literacy
Leveraging Campus Attributes
▪Optimize and plan for the efficient use of existing facilities
▪Provide students with access to up-to-date labs, technologies, equipment and educational materials relevant to specific programs and continually review/update as needed
▪Encourage faculty and staff to engage students in educational opportunities uniquely available in the Upper Peninsula
Community Engagement
▪Engage the local community in collaborative activities that enhance the quality of TCC programs
▪Develop a “brand” and implement a marketing plan for TCC programs
NMU offers 27 associate degree options, 10 certificates and three vocational diplomas. |