Weekly Update, April 4

LBCC Phi Theta Kappa students honored business and accounting faculty member Jack Stone at their annual Induction Ceremony held Feb. 21. The students honor one LBCC staff each year at the ceremony.

Rich Bergeman, former journalism instructor and current LBCC Art Gallery coordinator, has published the book “Exphrasis II: A collaboration of poets and artists from LBCC." Images and poetry from the book are on display as part of an exhibit in the South Santiam Hall Gallery through May 2. LBCC's Poetry Club will sell copies of the book for $20 during the exhibit reception Tuesday, April 15 from 3-4 p.m. in the gallery, or purchase online for $19.79, plus approximately $8 shipping, at: www.blurb.com/b/5158933-exphrasis-ii

"Better Know Your Data" statistics show that 61 percent of LBCC students who started fall term 2013 are currently re-enrolled for spring term, with an average of 11 credits apiece. Stats from “Better Know Your Data” and the Institutional Research team.

Plan to attend the president's forum Thursday, April 10 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Forum, room F-104. Hear from President Hamann on LBCC directions, opportunities and challenges. Come prepared to ask questions.

LBCC’s landscape is a bit “greener,” thanks to grounds manager George VanKeulen and his team. The college has not used any pesticides or herbicides to combat weeds and bugs for more than a year. Instead, George's team focuses on keeping the grass cut and laying down copious amounts of wood chips to suppress weed seeds. But, you may see a few more dandelions in the grass, says George, which, by the way, are edible and quite good for you. His team also is working to remove a large number of plants around campus and at the Benton Center that died over the winter due to freezing temperatures. Those plants will be chipped and used around campus to help suppress weeds.

Weekly Update, March 7

Assessing Placement Testing (APT) Initiative Committee is working on ideas to reduce the percentage of students who are placed into developmental coursework as a result of taking the CPT without advance preparation. Through winter term, the APT looked at online and print information to help develop marketing strategies that insure prospective students know the importance of preparing for the CPT. The APT committee will assess whether these efforts make a difference by measuring and improving the percentage of students who report being prepared before taking the CPT. They are looking to the fall of 2014 to begin analyzing the results of the committee work.

Did you Know: 80 percent of LBCC career and technical education students responding to last year’s graduate follow-up survey report being employed within nine months of graduation. (Stats from "Better Know Your Data" Institutional Research team, Justin Smith and Justene Malosh)

The 36th annual Career Fair will be held Thursday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Activities Center gym, Albany campus. More than 50 businesses, industries and government agencies will provide information on careers and employment opportunities. College advisors will available to answer questions on career and technical training programs. Employment, training and family needs agencies will be on hand to inform job seekers about their services. LBCC will offer workshops to enhance job search skills, and employment specialists will provide resume and interviewing workshops. More information at: www.linnbenton.edu/career-fair

Weekly Update, Jan. 10

The final Math Fast Track data for the first term of 18 students shows eight students moved up one course test placement, seven moved up two placements, and three students moved up three test placements. The improved math test placements saved the 18 students a total of $2,659.50 and 13 terms! (thank you to Justeen Malosh in IR for her math skills)


The Career Center launched enhanced student employment job search software to help students connect with potential employers. “Career Connections” allows students to create a profile from which they can post resumes, search job listings and internships, view employer information, save favorite employers, schedule job workshops through their Google calendar and more. Employers post their positions directly to site, and can search the database using key words to help them find potential employees from our students and alumni. Faculty and staff are asked to direct students to the service, as well as employers who would like to hire our students. Find Career Connections at www.linnbenton.edu/current-students/work/career-services/career-center.

Fall term stats from the Institutional Research and “Better Know Your Data:”
•    12,265 fall term credits earned out of 14,647 attempted, an 84% success rate
•    69% of students attempting a math class passed (50% of students took math)
•    80% of students attempting a writing class passed (42% of students took writing)
•    Average GPA 2.64

Weekly Update, September 5

John Rehley

Carol McKiel

John Rehley has joined the college as manager of Printing and Mailing Services. John came to LBCC after working at Mid-Valley Newspapers for nearly 30 years. While at the newspapers, John worked in a variety of positions including distribution, press, accounting, IT, circulation and prepress. He has two degrees from LBCC: an associate's in automotive technology and associate's in graphic communication. John and his wife of 16 years live in Corvallis. He enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two grandchildren, and hiking and fishing.

Carol McKiel joined the college in July as the new director of High School Partnerships. Carol comes to us from Lane Community College, where she served as director of the TRIO STEM program. She has a bachelor’s in elementary education from Indiana University, a master’s in student personnel services from Northeastern State University, and a PhD in education leadership from Oregon State University. Originally from Indiana, Carol and her husband moved to Oregon six years ago and reside in Monmouth. They have a daughter and son, and a new grandson who lives in Texas, and who Carol says she is learning to bond with via Skype. Carol also enjoys gardening and bicycling.

Institutional Research has created a new database designed to access to enrollment data. The new Enrollment Management Pulse (EMP) system gives you access to up-to-date information on LBCC's current headcount, FTE, tuition revenue and more. You can even drill down to specific course types or departments. Visit www.linnbenton.edu/emp to check it out.