Mid-Ohio Valley Community and Technical College Consortium

Mid-Ohio Valley Tech-Prep Consortium

January 8, 2008

Those attending were:  Joe Smith, Doug Kiger, Tina Buchanan, Violet Mosser, Bill Niday, John Gorrell, Mike Boyd, Danita Brown, Ryan Haught, Dennis Carpenter, David Boggs, Connie Dziagwa, Kellie Swisher, Paul Milhoan, Mary Beth Busch, Sandy Butcher, Susan Moran, Joyce Okes, Joe Super and Patsy Bee.

Call to Order:

Dr. Marie Foster Gnage, President of WVU Parkersburg and Facilitator for the Mid-Ohio Valley Community and Technical College Consortium called the meeting to order

Approval of Minutes:

The minutes of the December 11, 2007 meeting of the Mid-Ohio Valley Community and Technical College Consortium and Mid-Ohio Valley Tech-Prep Consortium were approved upon a motion by Mr. Boyd and second by Mrs. Braun.

CTC Consortium (Dr. Gnage)

College Transition Initiative Update.  Violet Mosser reported that Roane County students would begin the program on January 18.   They are working on a trip to the State Capitol, and she will report on students that will be involved with EDGE.

Communications.  Connie Dziagwa reported that she is finalizing work on the website.  Diane Braun distributed some information on high school courses offered and the WVU Parkersburg EDGE course credit that is given.  Consortium members reviewed and agreed this information should be posted on the website.  It was suggested that another column be included listing programs where EDGE credit would apply.  Ms. Dziagwa reported on marketing of the Consortium.  She distributed a copy of an article regarding the NTPN Conference.  Photos of the entire Consortium and the Tech-Prep Consortium were taken for use in future articles and presentations.

College Updates (Deans)

NROC Opportunities.  Dr. Rhonda Richards provided and reviewed an online presentation of the National Repository of Online Courses available through IStream which is part of the League for Innovation.  President Gnage added that WVU Parkersburg is a member of the League for Innovation, and this is a resource that WVU Parkersburg can offer for free to the high schools.  The high schools will then determine which courses it would like to offer to their students, and they would also decide on the credit given for the courses.

Recruitment and Other Updates.  Dr. Danita Brown reported that recruitment efforts are continuing with site visits.  Roane/Jackson Students will visit our campus on January 31.  There has been increased marketing of programs on TV and the newspaper.  They will be starting a student ambassador program during the Spring Semester that will involve students going to the area high schools, taking part in campus tours, and participating in FASFA workshops.  Dr. Brown also thanked county superintendents for their support for the GEARUP grant that was recently submitted.

School District Updates (Superintendents/Principals/Directors).  Mr. Carpenter reported that he is working with WVU Parkersburg to restructure their business program and they are going online with business programs.

Workforce Investment Board Update.    Ms. Okes reported that the youth program is going out for bid in early February.  They are expecting an additional 2% cut in their budget.  They are looking at the nine counties they serve to see where they have businesses and they will be able to provide the labor information to the Consortium members.

Discussion of Progress on Mandate, Goals and Strategies.  President Gnage noted that the mandate will be listed as an agenda item to remind Consortium members of the State Mandate, and to also remind them that community colleges receive funds for new programs, equipment and other resources needed to promote workforce development needs in this area.  A list will be brought to the next meeting.

Tech Prep Consortium (Diane Braun)

Budget.  Ms. Bran reviewed the budget noting that $9,500 has been encumbered for general supplies.  Parent workshop grants have been awarded to junior high schools at Blennerhassett, Jackson, and Edison.  New applications have been received from junior high schools in Wirt, Ripley, Roane and Pleasants County Middle School.  Applications are still needed from the following junior high schools: Ritchie, Ravenswood, Williamstown, Hamilton, and Van Devender.

EDGE Credits.  There are currently 42 EDGE credits at WVU Parkersburg.  There are a total of 3,780 students enrolled in EDGE courses this year.  The school with the most EDGE credit is Wirt County with 600 students.   Many students are taking multiple EDGE courses.

Counselor’s Workshops.  March 13 is being considered for the next Counselors Workshop.

Other Items.  Letters will go out tomorrow to invite students and their families to FASFA workshops.  Ms. Braun asked Ms. Dziagwa to prepare a general news release for all three counties.

Ms. Braun reported that that there is only 500 parent hand books and there is a need for 1400 more.  She requested approval to purchase additional handbooks at a cost of $3-$4 per hand book.  Mr. Caprenter made a motion to approve the purchase of the handbooks.  Dr. Gnage seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

There are several old equipment items left from the previous Tech-Prep Coordinator that can be given to others that may be able to use them.  Violet Mosser will use some of the equipment in transition classes, and Paul Milhoan will review the other materials to make sure they work and will donate to the college if they are able to use the equipment.

Next Meeting

The next Consortium meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at noon in the Community Room.  

With no further business to be discussed, the meeting adjourned.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Patsy J. Bee

                                                                        Executive Assistant to the President