Dr. Kavalier’s Report to the Community

Prop Community College On Aug. 4 Ballot Will Support Student Success The St. Charles Community College Board of Trustees has placed Proposition Community College, a no-tax increase bond issue, on the Aug. 4 ballot for residents of St. Charles County. The $30 million no-tax increase bond issue will support:

■ Workforce and Technical Training ■ Modernization and Expansion of STEM ■ Campus Safety Improvements ■ Comprehensive Student Services Facilities

Be sure to vote on August 4! stchas.edu/propcc

4601 MID RIVERS MALL DR. COTTLEVILLE, MO 63376-2865

SCC Responds to COVID-19

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Despite challenges associated with COVID-19, the mission of St. Charles Community College (SCC) has not waivered – we are here to support the success of our students. In March, faculty and staff successfully transitioned courses and services to an online format and provided extraordinary support to students during these challenging times. According to SCC’s President, Dr. Barbara Kavalier, “The dedication, determination and ingenuity demonstrated by SCC faculty and staff were amazing. At every turn, they kept the needs of their students in mind,” The college’s response extended to the community by donating medical supplies to

Dr. Kavalier’s Report to the Community

several health care facilities and local food banks – on multiple occasions. For fall, most courses will be offered online. However, a small number of courses will be offered in-person for students who feel that it would be difficult to succeed by taking all courses online. In addition, a few courses that require “hands-on” learning will be held safely on campus. Support services will be offered in-person and online to meet the needs of all students. “We’re taking every precaution to protect our campus community as we begin reopening our college,” Kavalier added.

For more on how SCC will serve students in a safe environment this fall, visit stchas.edu/healthalerts.

“Student success is core to our mission and at the center of everything we do.” Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D. SCC President

Students Graduate With Diploma and College Degree Three local students made history as they became the first to simultaneously graduate from high school and St. Charles Community College this spring through the SCC Early College Program.

Public/Private Partnership Brings Student Housing to SCC

SCC Meets Demands Of Business and Industry

One of the budget principles established by the Board of Trustees at St. Charles Community College is innovation. For many years, state support for higher education has been declining, a reality that impacts the college’s bottom line. Providing student housing represents a new opportunity for revenue growth through increased enrollment, particularly the enrollment of student athletes and international students.

From culinary to manufacturing – SCC is launching programs that put area residents to work in high-demand fields.

Through a public/private partnership, SCC worked with a local developer to bring student housing to the campus. The developer funded the project and will maintain the property at no cost to the college. SCC benefits from the exclusive use of Campus Lake Apartments by students. For more information, visit campuslakeapartments.com.

Dual credit programs at community colleges throughout the nation have grown significantly in the past few years. Parents recognize the financial benefits of students achieving an associate degree while in high school. According to Kathy BrockgreitensGober, assistant vice president for college transitions and support systems, “This is an exciting milestone for the students and the program.” The graduates, who earned an Associate of Arts degree, are Arielle Ancel and Olivia Liesmann from Orchard Farm High School and Alexander Meyer from Wentzville Holt High School. “SCC has four high school partnerships with our Early College Academy. We plan to expand the program to give more students the opportunity to get a jump-start on their college degree,” BrockgreitensGober said.

SCC Leading in Enrollment Growth Despite state and national trends showing a steady decline in enrollment, SCC completed the 2019-20 academic year with positive enrollment in every semester. For summer 2020, enrollment is up more than 10%. SCC President Dr. Barbara Kavalier attributes much of this growth to improvements in recruitment and enrollment services and the expansion of dual credit and online programs. “Our new Vice President for Student Services, Mr. Dave Leenhouts, has done an incredible job identifying strategies for improving processes needed to enhance enrollment,” Dr. Kavalier said. “On the academic side of the house, Assistant Vice President Ms. Kathy BrockgreitensGober has strengthened the college’s partnerships with local school districts.” SCC’s Early College Academy program has experienced a significant increase in enrollment among this population. In addition to improved processes, SCC’s campus attracts new students every year. According to the college’s chief operating officer, Mr. Todd Galbierz “SCC offers a beautiful and safe learning environment with friendly and helpful faculty and staff.”

100% Pass Rate and Continued Growth for Allied Health Programs As the national spotlight shines on the healthcare industry, SCC continues to serve the community through the expansion of nursing and allied health programs and exemplary licensure pass rates. SCC meets workforce needs by providing some 24 credit and non-credit programs that train Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA), Pharmacy Techs, and Health Information Management Technicians (HIM), just to name a few. The college has added certificates for frontline caregivers and expanded its state-of-the-art virtual hospital to safely train students and current healthcare providers in a variety of scenarios. “The students who complete these programs make a significant impact on our community,” said Amy Koehler, provost of SCC’s Dardenne Creek Campus. “Our faculty are exceptional and committed to educating extraordinary healthcare professionals.” That excellence is demonstrated by students’ pass rates of 100% on RN and LPN licensure exams. As a result, SCC programs are looked at as a model and are in high demand. SCC partnered with Health Systems, Inc. (HSI) to deliver an innovative program that provides more LPNs to the local workforce. The college remotely connects students in Troy to classes at SCC. HSI employees are offered the opportunity to complete the practical nursing program with financial support from their employer.

Local employers clamored for trained welders, and the college answered the call. With high placement rates and competitive salaries, SCC certificates and degrees culminate in an AWS industry-recognized credential, a valuable tool when seeking employment. To support the manufacturing industry, SCC annually brings 1,000 students together for Manufacturing Day where they learn about careers in manufacturing, speak with experts, and tour local facilities. Thanks to a long-term partnership with the General Motors Wentzville Assembly Center, SCC has hosted several Manufacturing Day events and the annual GM Robotics Challenge. On the horizon are new Culinary and Brew Master Programs to be held at the SCC Dardenne Creek Campus. Already going strong, the Associate of Science in Agriculture degree is meeting the demand of the region’s rapidly growing plant science and agricultural innovation community. A $222,269 National Science Foundation grant helped to start and grow the program. “Coursework is designed so students can get a job in an agriculture field and hit the ground running because they have mastered the essentials,” said Dr. Micah Humphreys, associate professor of agriculture.