TO:  Board of Regents

FROM:  Montana State University Great Falls College of Technology, Mary Sheehy Moe, Interim Dean

RE: Campus Report for the January 2002 Board of Regents' Meeting

Economic Development Roundtables

On December 6, the Great Falls Higher Education Center (GFHEC) hosted the first of several regional roundtables on the role of education in Montana's economic development. Over 60 representatives of 10 business and industry sectors spent the afternoon discussing the proficiencies necessary for employees in their sector and identifying the existing and potential contributions of Montana's education system to the state's economy. The Great Falls Higher Education Center Council collaborated to plan the roundtable discussions and to prepare the report for the Montana Economic Development Action Group. Directed by the dean of MSU-Great Falls College of Technology, the GFHEC Council includes representatives from MSU-Northern, MSU-Bozeman, the University of Great Falls, Great Falls Public Schools, the community, the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and Malmstrom Air Force Base. Council members and/or their employees served as facilitators and recorders during the roundtable discussions. The HEC Council met on January 10 to prepare a report of its findings. A preliminary report was presented in Billings on January 14 during the second of the regional roundtables planned by the Montana Economic Development Action Group. The full report will be presented to the Montana Economic Development Action Group on January 28.

 

High School College of Technology Alliances

Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology continues to collaborate with regional high schools to expand access to and awareness of educational opportunities. On January 8, the College welcomed 250 students from 23 Tech Prep high schools to the campus. Faculty in all program areas provided seminars and hands-on activities designed to inform students and help them decide about career options for their future. The College is also working with the Great Falls Public Schools to improve graduation requirements and to develop "Running Start" programs for high school students.

 

Distinguished Faculty

During Fall Semester, four MSU College of Technology instructors passed industry certification examinations. Don Hanson passed A+ Hardware examination through Com TIA; Tim Paul passed WOW (World of the Web) examination for Web Design and earned Cisco Certified Academic Instructor (CCAI) status for Web Design; Bruce Gottwig passed WOW certification, became Cisco Certified Academic Instructor (CCAI) for Web Design, passed A+ Hardware and Software Certification through Com TIA, passed the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) through Cisco, and earned Cisco Certified Academic Instructor (CCAI) status for Cisco Networking; and K Kirkendall passed A+ Hardware and Software Certification through Com TIA and Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) certification through Cisco.

 

Two-Year Conference

On January 10 and 11, staff and faculty from Great Falls joined those from other Montana two-year colleges to network, collaborate, and brainstorm ideas for improving two-year education in Montana. Conference highlights included a keynote address by Dr. Tony Zeiss, President of Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, and banquet speeches by Regent Mark Semmens and Director of Economic Development David Gibson. Response to the conference was enthusiastic, and a number of follow-up proposals are currently being discussed.

 

Lewis & Clark Bicentennial
A proposal from Great Falls and Fort Benton planners has received "Signature Event" status from the National Commission for the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. In collaboration with the University of Great Falls and the public schools of Great Falls, Fort Benton, and Cascade, the College will plan a slate of academic events to be featured in the Signature Event slated for July 2 - July 4, 2005.