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NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS
Sherry Howe won the coin toss to introduce new member Carolyn Will, CEO of CW Marketing & Communications. Carolyn’s father was a long-time Rotarian and she’ll bring him to a meeting when he is next in town. Carolyn grew up in Bemidji and worked in broadcasting before starting her own company.
Jay Pfaender introduced Ken Schaefer, SVP of Lending at Drake Bank. He’s a former Woodbury Rotarian who “bleeds St. Paul” and another Tommy to add to the inter-club rivalry of Tommies and Johnnies.
Please RSVP for the joint Minneapolis-St. Paul Rotary Meeting Friday, Feb 16. Hop on the bus for just $10 (details to follow in the Hub). Also, please sign up for Rotation Day on Feb 20.
Ken Schaefer collected happy dollars from Linda Mulhern (whose 17 y.o. daughter is now a business translator in Finnish!), Jay Pfaender (all three of last week’s St Paul Almanac guests have been speakers at our club); Ken Schaefer (in memory of his 97 y.o. mother-in-law who died quietly at home after a long and happy life AND in honor of his son’s upcoming wedding); Jerry Faletti (in honor of Clyde Nelson’s letter to the editor on Rotary’s Four Way Test).
TODAY'S PROGRAM:
Deb Vos, Metro State University, introduced today’s speaker, Angelia Millender, President of Century College, who addressed the club on the Role of Community and Technical Colleges in Today’s Changing World.
Community Colleges provide vital access to higher education and reach a wider cross-section of Americans than four year colleges. They are a distinctly American invention – putting higher education close to home, starting with the first two-year college in Joliet, IL.
56% of Century’s students are part-time and their average age is 26. Like all colleges, Century loses most students within their first year. Freshmen coming from dual-enrollment programs in High School (that offer some college credit) are much more likely to stay as they are already acquainted with the rigors of college courses.
Nationally, college enrollment is on the decline, but Community Colleges offer an affordable option with an average tuition of $4,000. In fact, half of today’s successful four-year school graduates transferred from a school like Century.
Community Colleges are essential to helping Minnesota businesses close the current work force gap. Fully 50% of available jobs call for “middle level skills” which are the bread and butter of Community College programs.
Business and community partnerships of call kinds help develop our workforce. For example, Century engineering students work with Episcopal Homes to develop adaptive designs for silver ware and car keys. Century also partners with the fire department on the initial training for fire fighters from many East Metro communities. Internships at local companies and flexible learning options are critical for meeting students where they are and helping them succeed.
Schools like Century offer “Access with Success,” building needed skills with relevant content based in community partnerships.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael-jon Pease
Park Square Theatre
