LCC: The future is bright

As I approach my upcoming retirement, I cannot help but think on the many successes we have had at Lower Columbia College during that tenure. Likewise, I also speculate on the increasingly important role LCC will continue to play for this community moving forward.

One incredible set of achievements has incurred in the college capital facilities. An early success was obtaining the funding for and completing construction of our beautiful LCC Health and Science Building. The building houses general classroom spaces, LCC science labs and LCC health programs, including its large nursing program. To supplement this beautiful structure, LCC obtained a federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, which allowed LCC to fill the building with state-of-the-art equipment. LCC was the second college or university in Washington state to obtain an electron scanning microscope, after the University of Washington. LCC also brought an amazing nursing simulation lab to the campus, and science labs that are second to none in our state community college system. The college was also able to purchase a simulated cadaver to supplement our human cadaver in the science labs.

In the same period, Lower Columbia College renovated Myklebust Gym and created the beautiful Stoller Athletic Complex. LCC turfed Story Field. Later, LCC remodeled and made significant updates to the cafeteria, to the Main Building, and to the LCC Library/Learning Commons. Work is currently underway to update the exterior of the college Administration Building. As for the future, a new vocational building, to house IT, manufacturing, welding, machining and college preparation programs, is on the horizon.

The Lower Columbia College Foundation (LCCF) has added incredible value to the Lower Columbia College campus and to the community. The Foundation has grown from about $9 million in net assets to over $24 million in net assets during the last 12 years. LCCF helped match the EDA grant funding for the Health and Science Building. LCCF created a national model in its Student Success Fund, now exceeding a $1 million, which funds about $50,000 in aid to students each year in the form of small grants. The Foundation currently awards approximately $580,000 in student scholarships each year and contributes about $1 million in direct student aid and college program support each year.

During the past dozen years, the six athletic programs at LCC have continued to have had remarkable success and LCC ranks among the strongest athletic programs in the Northwest Athletic Conference, winning several championships and many other accolades. Likewise, LCC’s Fighting Smelt speech and debate team has become one of the premiere community college programs in the nation.

Lower Columbia College created the LCC Regional University Center in 2013, to increase baccalaureate and beyond opportunities for local residents. The Center has multiple university partners, and now offers over 500 baccalaureate and graduate degree programs through our campus facility. Later, Lower Columbia College initiated its own Bachelor of Applied Science programs, the first in Teacher Education, and a second in Organizational Leadership and Technical Management. Two more potential Lower Columbia College baccalaureate degrees are in process.

Another major initiative involved internationalization of the Lower Columbia College campus. The intent was to increase diversity and world view to our campus and to the broader community. There are currently 30 international students expected to be enrolled in the upcoming fall quarter representing about 13 countries. LCC, this year, also began offering study abroad programs for our domestic students, and opportunities for our faculty to teach abroad.

While the state of your community college is great, the promise of the future is even greater. LCC continues to explore more programs and opportunities for our local citizens. With its amazing student aid options, its low-cost tuition, and its impressive facilities, Lower Columbia College will continue to be a powerful force in the economic vitality of the region.

Mary Beth Tack Superintendent