Rural Community Colleges Randy Smith Ph D President

Rural Community Colleges Randy Smith, Ph. D. President, Rural Community College Alliance Altus, Oklahoma

Thank You • Thank You to RCCA Sponsor and breakfast sponsor, American Public University System – Community College Outreach – Academic Programs – Cost of Attendance – Simple MOU – Quality program, Great people to deal with – RCCA Partner – Contact them

Overview • 60% of community colleges are rural serving • Rurals enroll 36% of student population Urbans 64% • Rurals serve more first time first generation students than urban and suburbans • Rurals serve higher percentage of minority students than urban and suburban colleges

Who are we? • • 134 Rural Serving Small 310 Rural Serving Medium 144 Rural Serving Large 36 Tribal Colleges

Rural Demographics • Socio-economic status of rural communities – Typically poorer – Less access to healthcare – Lack of growth/poor economy/low paying jobs – Decreasing number of high school graduates – Population / size Matters!!

Challenges • What is the most important challenge/factor facing the rural community college? • ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT!

Can the Employees answer: • • What is our value? Why is our college unique? What is the quality of our academic programs? Cost of our college and cost of other colleges in the region?

Challenges

Challenges Faculty and administrative retirements Attracting faculty to teach at a rural college Crumbling or dated physical plant / facilities Declining population, lack of economic and workforce development • Fewer High School Graduates • Finances (expect more with less) • Inability to keep up with technology trends • •

Opportunities • What do two year colleges typically do better than other institutions of higher education? • 1. INSTRUCTION. We are student centered and focused • 2. Ability to change and adapt quickly

The Alliance • Anything to help and assist rural colleges to be more effective in serving students, communities and stakeholders • Clearing house of information • Federal Policy advocacy • Annual Conference • Annual DC day, White House visit

The Alliance • Connect ‘like” colleges to each other – get them to communicate! • Frequent member calls (student services, athletics, Ag, international, economic development, etc) • USDA MOU • New Legislation in Farm Bill

The Alliance • Research – Rural Scholars panel – Three State Pell Study – Kansas Pell Study – Demographics Studies – New college district in Pennsylvania study / report

The Impact of the New Pell Grant Restrictions on Community Colleges: A Three State Study Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi Congressional Briefing by Stephen G. Katsinas, Director and Professor, Education Policy Center, The University of Alabama with Janice Nahra Friedel, Associate Professor, Iowa State University James E. Davis, Associate Professor, Stennis Institute, Mississippi State University Michael T. Miller, University of Arkansas 124 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC February 12, 2013 THANKS for the OPPORTUNITY

The Alliance In-Service Presentations Leadership training for Deans, VPs etc Board of Trustees Training Enrollment Management Training (recruitment and retention of students) • Strategic Planning Facilitation • •

Rural Colleges…… Do more with less…… Are tied into their communities big time Operate in a unique way. Tied into workforce and economic development • Participate with the community in numerous ways……as are the employees • •

Rural Colleges • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=E 2 Vaq. LAlx. M&feature=share&list=UUYJ 1 r 5 WM 08 t 4 o. Nf. Try. PZ 8 qg

Is this you? • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=42 VWe. Kf 9 ZE

We Need You!! • Share, interact and communicate with rural serving colleagues nationwide! • Share challenges and opportunities • Become involved in YOUR organization • We need you and you need us! • Cost is only $595 a year, for the institution

Thank you for your participation, time and attention! • Randy. Smith@ruralccalliance. org • 580 -481 -0249 • www. ruralccalliance. org • Thank you to our sponsor