College News - Week of March 13

NEW SERIES: Living Our Values
This new addition to staff news will feature brief stories about students, programs, and faculty and staff, with a focus on how we are living our college values in the things we do here each day. We look forward to sharing your stories, so please - send them our way!

Can our values make a demonstrable difference in the lives of our students? Consider this story: A health occupations student was finding it impossible to secure a clinical training site because of a long-past drug-related conviction. Without a clinical site, the student could not complete the program. The student’s faculty member came to a member of the Personifying Values Committee for advice on how to proceed. Together they turned to the values in search of an answer. The faculty member would cite our values specifically as part of her advocacy case for the student with potential clinical sites -- in particular, the value of inclusiveness, which doesn't mean just mixing with those who make us comfortable. Sometimes those with backgrounds that make us uncomfortable are the most important people to mix with.  The clinical site might consider that this student's background might bring perspective that would help them and other students. With the help of faculty advocacy citing the values, the student was able to secure a clinical site.  And the faculty member reported that inclusiveness specifically was a reference point that helped her case.  Now this student has a chance to complete, and to engage with a potential future employer, at least in part due to the power of our values. And the whole process to help this student shows strong measures of excellence, opportunity, learning, inclusiveness, and engagement. A great example of how we live the LBCC values.

ATD update, from Pam Gordon: A delegation from the college attended the annual Achieving the Dream Conference, held in Baltimore, MD February 17–20. Attendees included Greg Hamann, Bruce Clemetson, Jason Kovac, Katie Winder, Justin Smith, Justene Malosh, Kathy Chafin and Pam Gordon. Besides having their tootsies frozen from the east coast arctic-like weather, the group spent time attending workshops that helped us verify that we are on the right track. It was interesting to hear from colleges that have been involved with ATD since 2006, to hear how they have changed and continue to change using ATD principles of evidence-based, student centered programs and policies based on equity and excellence. In addition to going to workshops, our own dynamite Institutional Research team of Justin Smith and Justene Malosh presented a workshop on how to make data accessible to all. They received rave reviews from all present.

Admissions News, from Danny Aynes: There are great efforts underway around Entry and communication as we try to increase our yield of new students that apply. Barriers are being removed and efforts are underway to make the process more seamless. Admissions has seen an increase of applicants for the current Winter term, and increases for Spring, Summer and Fall terms. There is still a lot of work to be done to get students admitted and enrolled, but there are many exciting things underway to improve our ability to get students through the process and communicate with them at each step along the way. Stay tuned!

Fall term 2014:
Flat in applicants

Winter term 2015:
12% increase in applications

Spring term 2015:
Last year 883
This year 1217
37% increase in applicants

Summer Term 2015:
Last year 233
This year 219
Very small increase

Fall term 2015:
Last year 664
This year 797
19% increase in applicants

Speaking of terms, we are at the end of another, and that means it's time for the End-of-Term Reception! Head to the Fireside Room Thursday, March 19 from 9:30-11 a.m. for some wonderfully delicious treats from our Conference Services people, along with great conversation and a well-deserved break. See you there.

LBCC in the News: Ever wonder how much news coverage LBCC gets? You can sign up for Google news alerts, which will send you an email with stories linked to LBCC. Or, if you want more control, just Google Linn-Benton Community College, then click on “News” at the very top of the results page, which gives you a page featuring LBCC news items only. You can also check our college News Blog to see what College Advancement sends each month to the local media. Below are examples of some recent stories in the news: 

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/lbcc-livestock-students-hatch-poultry-project/article_7bda6bab-d96a-581c-92bd-3e536dcb28bd.html

http://democratherald.com/news/local/initiative-seeks-to-lower-lbcc-student-costs/article_5e6670c7-f81b-5728-8f2a-9dedaf46557d.html

http://democratherald.com/news/local/lbcc-honors-diversity-inclusion-and-social-justice-at-unity-celebration/article_099d68de-3b97-5e0e-96d0-cfb19a7e7a22.html

http://democratherald.com/news/local/women-speak-on-working-in-the-criminal-justice-system/article_501e7dbe-becc-54b5-afa6-5b249195843b.html

http://www.kgw.com/story/features/2015/03/02/wounded-warrior-marine-shane-kohfield/24284955/

http://www.opb.org/news/article/oregons-opportunity-grant-has-limited-reach/

http://democratherald.com/news/local/lbcc-choirs-host-wander-in-song-event/article_b0aa5c0d-f4a3-5317-a65d-f730d8f60308.html

http://democratherald.com/news/local/ruby-boots-on-display-at-lbcc/article_7eaee978-25b3-5fc1-bd5c-c069bc1f899a.html


Our College Values: 
Opportunity
Excellence
Inclusiveness
Learning
Engagement

Our College Core Themes:
Economic Vitality
Cultural Richness
Educational Attainment



Insider published by: LBCC College Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement