Plus 50 campaign reaches its goals two years early

18 community colleges involved in AACC Plus 50 Completion Strategy assisted 9,292 students with 46% of them already completing high-value degrees or certificates

WASHINGTON, DC – A national program to help students age 50 and over coming back to college to train for new jobs has reached its goals two years ahead of schedule and is revving up to assist more people.

Approximately 9,292 student baby boomers were assisted in the last two years by the 18 colleges participating in the Plus 50 Completion Strategy, organized by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Forty-six percent of those students, approximately 4,243 of them, completed degrees or certificates over the last two years.

Organizers at AACC were thrilled to see the program reach its four-year goals two years ahead of schedule. “We are delighted to see the colleges assisting so many adults age 50 and over who are going back to college to re-train for new jobs and re-invent their careers,” said Mary Sue Vickers, director of the program at AACC.

Vickers and the college staff are not planning to rest on their laurels. Rather, they’re planning to assist even more people over the next two years. The four-year program is funded by Lumina Foundation.

When asked how the 18 colleges involved in the program could be so successful, evaluators point to a number of factors in a newly-issued report, available on AACC’s Plus 50 Initiative website.

The 18 community colleges involved in the program nearly doubled the number of workforce training courses available for baby boomers in the second year of the project. Baby boomers took courses in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, health information technology, human services, mechanics technology, computer support, nursing, pharmacy and phlebotomy.

Colleges used a number of outreach and support strategies to help students succeed. They worked across college departments to help students access specialized services like career and academic counseling. They held open houses and informational meetings for potential students and sponsored career fairs.

Key support services provided for students included offering “completion coaches” to assist students in reaching their education goals, helping students apply for and receive financial aid, offering computer skill-building courses and career development workshops, and forging linkages with employers.

Organizers say the evaluation bodes well for the remaining two years of the project. AACC is currently accepting grant applications from member community colleges to participate in a new project that will train 10,000 older workers for new jobs in education, healthcare and social services. For grant information and to apply.

The colleges involved in the program are: Atlantic Cape Community College (Mays Landing, N.J.), Cape Cod Community College (West Barnstable, Mass.), Century College (White Bear Lake, Minn.), Clover Park Technical College (Lakewood, Wash.), College of Central Florida (Ocala, Fla.), Hazard Community and Technical College (Hazard, Ky.),  Joliet Junior College (Joliet, Ill.), Monroe Community College (Rochester, N.Y.), Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (Green Bay, Wis.), Northeastern Junior College (Sterling, Colo.), Pasco Hernando Community College (New Port Rickey, Fla.), St. Louis Community College (St. Louis, Mo.), Santa Fe College (Gainesville, Fla.), Southern Arkansas University Tech (Camden, Ark.), Southwestern Illinois College (Belleville, Ill.), Spoon River College (Canton, Ill.), University of Alaska - Anchorage Community and Technical College (Anchorage, Alaska) and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (Valdosta, Ga.).

Lumina Foundation currently funds the participation of 18 community colleges in the Plus 50 Completion Strategy, which is helping baby boomers complete degrees or credentials. AACC’s Plus 50 Initiative began with support from The Atlantic Philanthropies and originally involved 15 colleges, and then expanded to 32 more colleges.

For more information about the Plus 50 Initiative at AACC. 

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The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is a national organization representing more than 1,100 community, junior and technical colleges nationwide. Community colleges are the largest and fastest growing sector of higher education, enrolling more than 13 million credit and non-credit students annually.

Washington Association of Surgical Technologists meet at CPTC

More than 50 surgical technologists from The Washington Association of Surgical Technologists will meet at Clover Park Technical College on Saturday, Sept. 29 for their annual business meeting and fall workshop.

The meeting will take place in the Rotunda at CPTC and will feature presentations on the latest technology in open heart surgery, breast cancer and facial trauma. In addition, they will be discussing House Bill 2414, which is currently in the Washington State House of Representatives and will affect certifications for the surgical technologists in the state.

CPTC's Surgical Technology Program is hosting this year's event.

Surgical technologists are allied health professionals, who are an integral part of the team of medical practitioners providing surgical care to patients. Surgical technologists work under the supervision of a surgeon to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures, ensuring that the operating room environment is safe, that equipment functions properly, and that the operative procedure is conducted under conditions that maximize patient safety. Surgical technologists possess expertise in the theory and application of sterile and aseptic technique and combine the knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and implementation tools and technologies to facilitate a physician's performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

The surgical technology training program at CPTC lasts approximately six quarters and is a combination of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience.

Students can expect to take courses that include basic sciences, patient care, surgical procedures, and human anatomy, combined with clinical rotations in area health care facilities. Classroom instruction, lab, and clinical internship prepare students to assume the role of a perioperative team member in a variety of healthcare delivery settings.

For more information on the WA-AST meeting contact Sherridan Poffenroth, WA-AST President, at sepoff@q.com

Winter 2013 Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted

Winter Quarter 2013 Scholarship Applications are now being accepted. Apply online by 4 p.m., 17 October 2012.

Go to www.cptc.edu/scholarship for

Available Scholarship List

Eligibility & Criteria

Instructions

Workshop Dates

Link to Online Application

Be sure to read all of the instructions at www.cptc.edu/scholarship before beginning the online application.

Contact Heather Ervin at 253-589-5732 or heather.ervin@cptc.edu for more information.

Introducing our new mascot...Simon!

 

 

After more than two years of work, a committee of students and staff revealed the new mascot of Clover Park Technical College Sept. 21. The robot, named Simon, will now be a part of the official representation of the college.

“Establishing the mascot was a tough job, but it was done with exceptional creativity, class and diligence,” said Dr. John Walstrum, president of Clover Park Technical College. “The committee took care to ensure that the chosen symbol represented our mission and values. I look forward to Simon becoming an icon for the college and its students. I hope that all CPTC staff, faculty, students and alumni will begin to see him as an ambassador.”

The process to establish the mascot was started at the urging of CPTC students who were interested in building morale, starting a tradition, and finding a way to continue to support the college.

“Our new mascot was a project initiated by the students in the hopes of providing us all with a way to continue to support our college,” said Kailene Sparrs, president of the Associated Student Government. “We started the project on behalf of the students after a vote approving the initiative and have worked carefully since then to ensure the mascot was something all students could be proud to have. Our next step is to develop him as a symbol of CPTC. He is an emblem of the transformation so many students at CPTC experience and will serve to unify us.”

The development of the Simon character began with the creation of a steering committee. The group, led by the Associated Student Government, worked for two years and will continue to partner with the school’s staff to promote the mascot.

"It was a pleasure playing a role in the future of our college. On behalf of the Mascot Selection Committee, we’d like to thank Dr. John Walstrum and the college administration for the trust, confidence, and support we received as we went about this historic process of selecting a new mascot. The committee was dedicated and professional in their efforts on behalf of the students at CPTC. Their hard work has resulted in a new mascot that will provide staff, faculty, students and alumni with a symbol of pride, a tradition, and visual representation of CPTC’s values,” said Claire Korschinowski, the mascot steering committee chair and associate director for student programs.

To learn more about Simon, visit www.cptc.edu/simon.



CPTC student testifies at House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee

Kailene Sparrs, president of the Associated Student Government at Clover Park Technical College, was invited to speak to the House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee Sept. 25 during a work session.

Sparrs, a student in the Environmental Sciences Program, shared her thoughts and personal story on attending college as a non-traditional student. The committee was discussing tuition increase effects on students and various other topics.

You can watch the entire committee meeting at this link: http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2012091023

Sparrs speaks to the committee at the 2:06 mark in the video.

CPTC needs your help for Green Apple Day of Service project!

The Clover Park Technical College Sustainable Building Science Program will participate in the first Green Apple Day of Service by enhancing its Zero Energy House with a garden during a service project Sept. 29.

Students, staff and faculty from CPTC will team up with Pacific Lutheran University and Tacoma Community College students to assemble six raised vegetable gardens in front of CPTC’s Zero Energy Home.

“We, as a college, have the capability to educate students, help the community, and do it with a low impact to the environment,” said Dan Smith, instructor for CPTC’s Sustainable Building Science Program. “It’s the right thing to do.”

The gardens will be irrigated by the 3,000 gallon water catchment system and all harvested food will be donated to a local food bank.

The project will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday thanks to donations of time, materials and energy from local businesses. TAGRO and Bunce Rental have donated both materials and equipment to make the project a success.

“This project should be a lot of fun for the participants,” said Smith.

The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Center is the host of the first annual Green Apple Day of Service. For one day, advocates from around the world, including students, teachers, parents and elected officials, as well as international green building councils, USGBC staff, chapters, member companies and more, will come together in support of healthy, sustainable schools by taking action in their communities. The goal is to demonstrate the strength and breadth of the movement, leaving a meaningful and lasting local impact. For more information on the Green Apple Day of Service visit www.mygreenapple.org/home.

Updates: More important student information

1)   We have created a Book Check Out Program for students!  Collaboration between our ASG and the Library has allowed the purchase of textbooks for the General Education classes  (Math, English and Humanities courses) that are offered here at the college.  Students will be able to check out these textbooks and use them within the library.

2)   The Student Resource Center is open.  This Center is located in the lobby of Bldg 17.  Students can access hardcopies of resources, use a computer or just take a short break in a quiet setting.

a.   For those that prefer an electronic solution, we have created a Community Resource portal.  Students can go to www.cptc.edu/resources.

3)   College Knowledge Workshop Series has been revised and we are bringing it to classrooms. Look for that to occur later this quarter.

4)   CPTC 5^th Annual Health/Wellness and Transfer Fair, will be on Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center.  Please allow your students to participate.  Special thanks to the CPTC LPN students that will be providing blood pressure, weight and other screenings for participants. There will be a Belly Dance Demonstration at 11:30 a.m. and a Zumba class at noon.  Please join us!

More important information for students

1)   We have created a Book Check Out Program for students!  Collaboration between our ASG and the Library has allowed the purchase of textbooks for the General Education classes  (Math, English and Humanities courses) that are offered here at the college.  Students will be able to check out these textbooks and use them within the library.  So, if you have students that have not received their financial aid yet and can’t purchase these text, there are text within the library for them to use.  Thank you Elaine Holster for all of your help getting this launched.

2)   The Student Resource Center is open.  This Center is located in the lobby of Bldg 17.  Students can access hardcopies of resources, use a computer or just take a short break in a quiet setting.

a.   For those that prefer an electronic solution, we have created a Community Resource portal.  Students can got to www.cptc.edu/resources.

3)   College Knowledge Workshop Series has been revised and we are bringing it to your classroom.  Once the dust settles, I will be sending out a menu of services and you can choose the workshops that you would like to have offered.  We can even tailor specific workshops to meet your needs.

4)   CPTC 5^th Annual Health/Wellness and Transfer Fair, will be on Tuesday, the 16^th of October from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Student Center.  Please allow your students to participate.  Special thanks to the CPTC LPN students that will be providing blood pressure, weight and other screenings for participants.  There will be a Belly Dance Demonstration at 11:30 and a Zumba class at 12:00.  So, please join us!   We will be providing something that verifies attendance for students that may be released to bring back to the classroom.

Construction Updates...

Please excuse our progress...

As Clover Park Technical College continues to evolve to meet the needs of students our campus has to undergo some changes. Unfortunately, that can cause some issues with traffic and parking. Please take a few minutes to review the following construction updates to make your first week back at school more successful.

Harrison Prep Academy: Please note that due to construction delays with the Harrison Prep Academy (primarily the placement of the school's new sewer line) the west end of campus (Buildings 37, 31, 25) will be significantly impacted due to the partial closure of Redwood Drive and Runway Road.  We understand this is a major inconvenience for you and your students.  We ask your patience as our school district partner works to complete the infrastructure necessary for the new school.

Detours around Redwood Drive will be routed through the Buildings 37 and 31 parking lots for the next month until Redwood Drive and a portion of Runway Road are completed.

Additional parking is available behind Building 25 and can be accessed from Runway Road to the south of Building 23.  Detours will be completed by this afternoon.

Phase I of Learning Resource Center (Building 15): Please note that due to slight construction delays, the first phase of the renovated Library space will not reopen until further notice (it is expected to open within the next two weeks).  The Library will continue to operate out of its current location.

In the meantime, the Building 15 Math, Writing, and Science labs will be open Monday for classes.

The Tutoring Center and E-learning/Teaching and Learning Center will remain in their current location until further notice.

Important Information for Students

Student Records Office Hours
Student Records is open:
7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
7:30 am to 7:30 pm, Wednesday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday.

We will also be open the first Saturday of the quarter, September 29, 2012 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.


Student Withdrawal Reminder

Students who must permanently leave a class are reminded to officially withdraw through the Student Records Office.  Withdrawals may be made by:

1.     Completing the Official Add/Withdrawal form in the Student Records Office

2.     Telephoning Student Records at 253.589.5666

3.     Faxing to Student Records at 253.589.5852

4.     Submitting online to Student Records at www.cptc.edu/register during the first five days of the quarter or online at www.cptc.edu/drop after the fifth day of the quarter

Failure to officially withdraw from a class may result in:
a.    a failing grade
b.    loss of a possible refund
c.    overpayment of funding resources


An “official withdrawal” is notification to Student Records by the student on the day of withdrawal.  Notification from faculty or other sources is considered “unofficial”.


Important Dates to Remember If Your Program Started on September 24, 2012:
            September 23, 2012                                   Last day to withdraw with 100% refund.
            September 28, 2012                                   Last day to withdraw with 80% refund.
            October 15, 2012                                        Last day to withdraw with 40% refund.
            November 13, 2012                                    Last day to withdraw with a “W” grade.



COST OF TRAINING

The State of Washington contributes approximately 54 percent of the cost of students’ education through support of the basic instruction costs.  Students are responsible for the remaining 46 percent.  In addition to the state support of the basic instructional cost, students may also receive state supported financial aid if eligible.


Fall Application for Graduation Award Deadline:           October 22, 2012


Students who expect to graduate during the fall quarter (September 24th through December 13th) must complete Step 1 of the Application for Graduation Award and pay the $20.00 Application Fee by October 22, 2012.  Application forms are available on the Student Records counter in Building 17.

The All College Graduation Ceremony for 2012-13 will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Tacoma Dome.   Please consider attending this event to celebrate your achievement with your family and friends.   Watch the CPTC website beginning March 2013 for announcements of participation deadlines.


STUDENT INFORMATION ON-LINE

Students may also use the web to register, pay fees, withdraw and inquire about their CPTC information.  Simply access the CPTC web site at www.cptc.edu and select “Current Students”.  At this site you can access the following:

Register Online (It is not too late to register for Fall 2012)
Check Email
Get Schedule
Schedule Planner
            Check Wait List
            Pay Fees
            Drop Class
            Change Contact Information
            Change PIN
View Unofficial Transcript  (Fall grades will be online after 8:00 pm on December 17, 2012)
Order an official transcript

Academic Calendar
2012-2013 Catalog
Current Class Schedule
Student Handbook

American Opportunity Tax Credit
Clubs and Organizations
FAQs – View frequently asked questions
Financial Aid
Graduation
I-Best
Library
            Student Right to Know
            Transfer
            Tuition & Fees
            Tutoring Services
            Buy/Sell Books

            Internships
            Employment Listings
            Peer Tutoring Opportunities

Information may be accessed from any PC with Internet access.  Six PCs with direct access to the CPTC web site are available for student use in the lobby of Building 17 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm, Wednesday and from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Friday.  Also, the library computer lab has PCs available for accessing the Internet.

CPTC delivers quarterly grades only on-line.   Fall student grades will be posted and available on-line after 8:00 pm on December 17, 2012, if your course has completed by the last day of the quarter.  Please go to www.cptc.edu; select “Current Students” then select “View Unofficial Transcript” and enter your Student ID and PIN.  If you need assistance with access to your grade information, please contact Student Records at 253.589.5666.


Worker Retraining Assistance

Are you receiving unemployment benefits from Washington State? Have you exhausted those benefits in the past 2 years? Do you anticipate a job layoff?  Are you an unemployed veteran who has been honorably discharged within the last 24 months?  Are you a displaced homemaker, a vulnerable worker or were you self-employed but lost your business due to general economic conditions?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, please go directly to the Advising/Counseling office for further assistance and possible financial aid grant eligibility.

Clover Park Technical College awarded part of $500 million in community college grants

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced $500 million in grants to community colleges and universities around the country for the development and expansion of innovative training programs. The grants are part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training initiative, which promotes skills development and employment opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and health care, as well as science, technology, engineering and math careers through partnerships between training providers and local employers. The U.S. Department of Labor is implementing and administering the program in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education.

Clover Park Technical College is a member of a consortium, led by Bellevue Community College, that was awarded more than $11 million to provide training in high-demand, high-wage fields of health information technology for veterans and their eligible spouses, Trade Adjustment Assistance--eligible individuals and others, while addressing gaps in educational infrastructure and stimulating employment.

Read more about the grants at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ETA20121885.htm

CPTC identification cards are now mandatory

 

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 29, Clover Park Technical College will require all students to have a Clover Park Technical College identification card. To get the CPTC ID card students should bring a valid driver’s license, state issued ID card or a valid military ID card to the Security Office located in the McGavick Center (Building 23). ID’s will be issued Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. until Oct. 19. Starting Oct. 20 cards will only be issued on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. If you would like a parking decal you should also bring your vehicle’s license plate number at that time. Parking decals are not a requirement to get an ID, but if you drive a vehicle to campus you must have it registered with the school and display a decal. The first parking decal and the new ID card are covered by the mandatory Safety and Security fee included in student registration fees. Additional parking decals are available at an additional cost.

For more information please call (253) 589-5819.

Get Started Workshop

Do you ever get asked any of these questions?

“How do I enroll at CPTC?

“How do I get started?”
                                               
“How do I apply for Financial Aid?”

There is a workshop led by a CPTC Counselor/Advisor that answers all these questions and more.

Please help spread the word and direct all prospective students to attend a workshop where they can get all their initial questions answered in one place.

Get Started Workshop
    
Wednesdays at 2:00

Topics Covered at this workshop:
·        College enrollment/admission process
·        Career exploration resources
·        Federal Student Financial Aid application process (FAFSA)
·        Scholarships & Educational Resources
·        COMPASS Assessment process
·        Cost for tuition/fees

Please see the flyer for upcoming dates and location.  The Flyer also includes the dates and time for the Program Information Sessions for the quarter. 

CPTC’s 5th Annual Health/Wellness and College Transfer Fair

Date:  October 16, 2012
Time:  11:00am-1:00pm
Where:  Sharon McGavick Student Center,
Building 23

 

Stop by and visit the vendor booths for great health and wellness information and handouts and check out the college vendor tables for information on transferring to a four-year college to further your education after CPTC.

 

Shimmy your way to wellness with our Learn to Bellydance Beginning Demonstration at 11:30a!

Come and salsa dance your way into better health with our Zumba demo at 12:00p!

Not able to purchase your general education textbooks at the beginning of the quarter?

Clover Park Technical College has a new Textbook check out program that it is launching this fall. Textbooks for most general education courses (Math, English and Humanities classes) are available for check out and in library use. Courtesy of your Associated Student Government and the Counseling Center.

Follow your passions, Article on Gateline.com

I have always looked skyward at birds, blimps and powered aircraft as they pass over my home. Even as I child, I knew I wanted to fly. Life seemed to get into the way most of the time. And when I did have the time and wherewithal to say, “Hey, let’s do this,” I was without the money or the guidance to make the dream a real-world possibility.

Read more here:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/09/05/2281139/follow-your-passions-to-fulfill.html#storylink=cpy