Lt. Gov. Simon Discusses MCC's Challenges, Goals

In what Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon called “a perfect picture of what community colleges can do,” Coy McQueen shared his experiences in an adult learning program at McHenry County College on Monday. He was one of 16 participants who took part in a roundtable discussion that addressed the school’s major challenges, and accomplishments.

The forum also included Sheila Chalmers, education policy adviser, and Kara Beach, communications assistant, for Simon.

“Through what I learned in total quality management, we were able to reduce our bank charges for our customers, reduce labor, and reduce delivery time,” said Coy, who studied in MCC’s Fastrack program and applied what he learned to his manufacturing job. “The impact from this school made a big difference for all the folks … it made an impact on everybody’s life at work because I took it back to work.”

The Fastrack program is one that enables working adults to go through an academic program while balancing work and family responsibilities. Coy later went on to Columbia College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, followed by two master’s degrees at other institutions. His example represents many of the school’s learners, who transfer to a four-year institution, according to Carol Larson, an MCC trustee.

But MCC President Vicky Smith said the school faces four challenges as it strives to remain a nimble resource.

“It takes two years to get through all the paperwork (the government needs) to get a new course approved,” Smith said. “It impedes the community college from being as responsive as we could be.” In addition, she said the USDEA has asked regional crediting agencies to start approving certificates that in the past did not require their review.

Another challenge she noted is decreased state resources, despite McHenry County’s rapid growth.

“Our county is one of the fastest-growing in the state,” she said. But in the past five years, state funding has decreased from more than 20 percent of the school’s budget to about 4 percent of its budget, to $1.9 million per year.

Also presenting challenges for the school is a misalignment of the high school and college curriculums, which leaves students less than ideally prepared. To bridge the gap, MCC has created programs to give students the support they need to be successful, but that draws on the school’s already tight budget.

“If we could as community college people be involved in committees that establish the standards,” it would help the students, Smith said.

The fourth challenge she outlined was the school’s ongoing goal of getting four-year institutions to accept the courses offered at MCC. The lieutenant governor agreed all those issues deserve to be prioritized and that she will be the community college’s voice in Springfield.

Tony Miksa, vice president of academic and student affairs, said measures are improving the success of students in transition from high school.

“The math department is working to connect the math to real-world applications,” he said.

Mathematics instructor Deb Alheit said MCC this summer is offering review sessions for students to help them before fall. And a bridge program to get high school students prepared for college-level courses also is being discussed, she said.

Also on the high school focus, Tony Capalbo, director of Perkins and High School Plus, said students can earn high school and college credit at the same time and that MCC offers classes taught at the high schools, by high school instructors. Courses include culinary management, English composition, Spanish, and nursing assistant.

“If you look at (advanced-placement) classes or dual-credit courses, students who take those are ready for the rigor of college courses,” he said.

Juletta Patrick, assistant vice president of academic and student affairs, told Simon that student engagement, early preparation and college readiness preparation, plus continual engagement through student life and co-curricular activities, have led to an increase in students returning semester to semester.

“Our students really do feel connected from the moment they enter our doors,” she said.

A new weekend nursing program may start in January, according to James Falco, executive dean of education, career and technical education. He said it would enable MCC to take in 25 more adults for nurse training per semester.

Simon said limited funding should not stand in the way of leveraging the state’s education system.

“We can improve making education a priority even without resources … I don’t think we do enough as a community to promote the value of college education,” Simon said. “What you are doing here contributes to the economy … the fact that you’re able to work with employers is really important and that should be supported.”