Current Program

Community Services creates and develops classes, workshops and programs that the community will support and that the college can run on a profitable basis to provide community involvement and lifelong learning opportunities. Population changes, affecting language and basic skills, are both positive and negative factors affecting program development in Community Services. Continuing Education provides an alternative to traditional college education for students wishing to learn new skills and acquire knowledge. Students enroll in Continuing Education courses for personal enrichment, to retraining or upgrading job skills, for basic skill development, and for specialized programs such as ESL/Citizenship/Adult Non-Reader. Several factors have played a role in recent years in the types of courses offered, including changes in student interests and economic conditions, population changes, changes in technology and the increasing use of technology in the classroom and in the workplace, and facility needs of the college.

Personnel - The department employs part-time faculty to teach classes, and uses a number of student employees as well.

Teaching Methodologies - Teaching methods used most include lecture/lab and labs. Other methods include lecture only, lecture/demonstration and some computerized instruction.

Technology - No courses are offered online or through distance education technologies at this time.

Equipment - Computers, software, hard drives, memory and bandwidth need to be replaced with the most recent versions of each. The following equipment is in need of repair: three bikes, two treadmills and two rowers. The following Fitness Center equipment needs to be replaced: eight treadmills, four climbers, six gliders and two rowers. A climbing wall, several computers and several data projectors are needed as well.

Facilities - The program is scattered throughout campus with no permanent locations. Conditions in classrooms are average.

Future Program

Conditions that may affect the program within the next ten years include curriculum development, technology, student academic preparation and facilities. Continuing Education may offer a Certificate of Achievement for CASAS skills development within five years. In both the mid term (five years) and long term (ten years) it is expected that the department will continue to develop programs as the community and the market dictate. It is expected that in both the mid term and long term the program will increase in size at the same rate as overall college enrollment.

Personnel - The department will continue to employ part-time faculty to teach classes, and use a number of student employees as well.

Teaching Methodologies - Real time distance learning and online interactive classes, requiring different methods of instruction, will develop as bandwidth on the Internet increases.

Technology - Alternative delivery systems, such as online interactive classes, will become a significant part of the program as courses that can easily be adapted to that media are converted. Examples include computer, citizenship and remedial courses.

Equipment - The following items of equipment need to be replaced or purchased new: computers, scanners, printers, hard drives, software and firmware. Within five years, the following equipment will need to be replaced: treadmills, soccer goals and weight training work stations.

Facilities - The program needs a storefront type of operation that is equipped with a computer lab, office space and six to ten classrooms seating 40 to 50 students. A location in a high profile area near major foot traffic would be ideal. More facilities, including classrooms, testing rooms, a conference room and prep rooms will be needed as the program expands.

Staff Development - Topics for potential Staff Development activities include computer skills, wireless networking, sales, marketing and phone and customer service skills are desirable.

Special Recommendation

Community Services and Continuing Education should be combined into one program, modeled after other colleges' successfully integrated programs. The new department should explore new methods of instruction and alternative delivery systems to provide more opportunities for students to access the program. The curriculum should be clarified to ensure that a cost-effective mix of basic skills, ESL, fee-based, and other types of classes are offered. The future direction of program and staffing should be based on student demand and community needs, or the program will not survive.