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This is the first in a series of annual reports on MSU – Great Falls instuonal effecveness. MSU – Great Falls is part of Montana’s Land Grant Mission

MSU-Great Falls Annual Report FY09

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It is our pleasure to present you the MSU-Great Falls Annual Report. Contained within these pages are the points of pride from the 2008-09 year.

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Page 1: MSU-Great Falls Annual Report FY09

This is the first in a series of annual reports on MSU – Great Falls institutional effectiveness.MSU – Great Falls is part of Montana’s Land Grant Mission

Page 2: MSU-Great Falls Annual Report FY09

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5 6reflections“I had no idea.” The words came from a pleasantly surprised faculty member from one of Montana’s flagship universities. She was referencing the dramatic changes . . .

monitoring our progressDuring 2008-09, the College embarked on a journey re-affirming our core purpose as the community’s college, refocusing on

improved overall effectiveness . . .

FOCUS ONexpanding participation in higher education .......10

FOCUS ONstudent successand achievement ................12FOCUS ONworkforcedevelopment ............17

FOCUS ONacademic preparation ................14

reFleCtiONS FrOm deaN jOe SChaFFer ........................5

mONitOriNg OUr prOgreSS ...........................................6

strategic priorities ............................................................. 7

program achievements ...................................................... 8

faculty senate ..................................................................... 9

nisod excellence award ...................................................... 9

FOCUS ON: partiCipatiON ................................................ 10

a legacy of college achievement ..................................... 10

barriers and challenges .................................................. 11

FOCUS ON: StUdeNt SUCCeSS ....................................... 12

persistence is the key to success ...................................... 12

living the dream after graduation ................................. 13

upcoming projects focus on students ........................... 13

FOCUS ON: aCademiC preparatiON ........................... 14

bridging the gap ............................................................... 14

identifying and overcoming barriers ............................. 15

FOCUS ON: wOrkFOrCe develOpmeNt ...................... 17

workforce initiative ......................................................... 17

celebration of trades building ....................................... 18

reach - a health care partnership ................................... 18

sustainable energy workforce project ........................... 19

FOCUS ON: traNSFer preparatiON ............................. 20

opportunities for transfer ............................................. 21

transferability initiative .................................................. 22

common course numbering ............................................ 22

articulation agreements ................................................. 22

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28

Montana State University – Great Falls College of

Technology is committed to the provision of equal

opportunity for education, employment, and

participation in all College programs and activities

without regard to race, color, gender, marital status,

disability, age, disadvantage, religion, political

affiliation and/or national origin.

The College’s Equal Opportunity Officers are the

Executive Director of Human Resources Director and

the Assistant Dean of Student Services.

joe Shaffer, deanChief Executive Officer

dr. heidi pasek, associate deanChief Academic Officer

mary ellen Baukol, associate deanAdministration and Finance

judy hay, assistant dean Student Services

Bob hietala, Chief Operations OfficerCollege of Technology in Bozeman

mary kay Bonilla, executive directorHuman Resources

pam parsons, executive director College Relations and Advancement

dr. william krieger, division directorArts and Sciences

jeff Brown, division directorBusiness, Trades, and Technology

dr. greg paulauskis, division directorHealth Sciences

ryan Schrenk, division directorExtended Learning

leonard Bates, ChairFaculty Senate

managing editorpam parsons , Executive Director College Relations and Advancement

contributing writersTom Figarelle, Bob Hietala, Mel Lehman, Dr. William Krieger, Pam Parsons and Joe Schaffer

design / layout / photographyrhonda kueffler - Web/ Graphic Designer

msu – great falls college of technology2100 16th Avenue South Great Falls, MT 59405 [406] 771.4300 or [800] 446.2698 www.msugf.edu

© 2010 MSU-Great Falls

msu – great falls foundation reportMSU - Great Falls development activities focus primarily on scholarship growth. Donor generosity resulted in significant increases in privately supported scholarships. MSU – Great Falls was proud to recognize Will and Nancy Weaver in May of 2009 by dedicating the Weaver Library in honor of their contributions . . .

FOCUS ON transferpreparation .............20

the appeal of early college .............................................. 23

FUNdiNg ChalleNgeS .................................................... 24

FiNaNCial repOrt .......................................................... 25

prOgram grOwth aNd reSOUrCe redUCtiONS ....... 26

financial aid FY2009 .............................................................. 26

montana campus corps ........................................................ 26

COT IN BOZEMAN THRIVES..................................................... 27

mSU – great FallS FOUNdatiON repOrt .................... 28

circles of giving ............................................................... 28

weaver library .................................................................. 30

real life opportunities ..................................................... 31

haircut for steel shear genius ........................................ 31__

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student government officersLeft to Right: Carol Berg (President), Charlie Maxwell (VP), Ginny Antonich (Secretary), and Tianne Haselden (Treasurer).

Student officers provide input to the College’s administrative staff and to the Board of Regents regarding issues and policies that impact students, plan student and campus activities, and prioritize how student funds will be expended.

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Reflections

“I had no idea.” The words came

from a pleasantly surprised faculty

member from one of Montana’s

flagship universities. She was

referencing the dramatic changes

the campus of MSU – Great Falls

had undergone since her last visit

in early 2000. Her sentiments are

not uncommon.

On an almost daily basis, people

who find their way back to

campus after a long absence

remark on changes at MSU –

Great Falls. Most commonly,

guests (who often become

students and/or donors) share

their impressions on the changes

in facilities, diversification of

academic offerings, engagement

in the community, and the growth

of the student body.

Recently I reflected on the

impressive, rapid changes in

the institution as I participated

in compiling a report for an

interim accreditation visit by

the Northwest Commission on

Colleges and Universities (the

College’s accrediting agency).

Dr. Heidi Pasek, Chief Academic

Officer, attempted to consolidate

five years of change into a

succinct product and found the

effort nearly impossible.

Changes to the organization’s

structure, programming, finance,

planning, and assessment efforts

left me astounded as I pondered

how we were able to do so much

with so little and under a short

time frame.

My less-than-scientific conclusion

is simply that so many champions

of the College – faculty, staff,

community leaders, and students

– came together and had what

Peter Ewell, Vice President at

the National Center for Higher

Education Management Systems,

calls “courageous conversations”

around some of the most difficult

topics that guided the College’s

work toward positive change.

These changes haven’t happened

overnight, haven’t all been easy,

and certainly have been shaped

by individual passion mixed with

the shifting political and economic

landscape.

In his book Change Forces,

education management guru

Michael Fullan quoted a group

of teachers as likening change to

“a planned journey in uncharted

waters in a leaky boat with a

mutinous crew.” The analogy

is frighteningly similar to what

many of us encountered during

the turbulent times of the past

year. But as William Moulton

Marston said, “every crisis offers

you extra desired power.”

We at MSU – Great Falls embodied

this notion as we tackled some

of the biggest change efforts in

the College’s history. They are

reported to you in this Annual

Report. The College made the

following changes in the 2008-

2009 academic year:

• Updated Mission, Vision, and Core Values

• Completed Strategic Planning Process

• Identified Strategic Priorities

• Prepared Measures of Institutional Effectiveness

• Chartered the Faculty Senate

• Implemented Program Growth and Resource Reductions n

joe schaffer ___________Dean/CEO

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During 2008-09, the College

embarked on a journey to re-

affirm its core purpose as the

community’s college, refocusing

on improved overall effectiveness

of the College and the success of

students and communities.

During the State of the College

address and Faculty Convocation

in 2008, faculty and staff

committed to the work of drafting

a new mission statement to

resonate with the work of the

College, to convey the vision,

mission, and campus values, so

that it is well understood and

easily communicated. Following a

survey of the campus community,

an integrated team of faculty,

professional, and classified

staff spent numerous hours

and meetings working through

feedback and their collective

belief of the College’s purpose as

an institution.

The College’s new Mission,

Vision, and Values received the

endorsement of the College’s

Planning, Budget & Analysis

Committee and the Dean’s

Cabinet. It was approved by the

Montana Board of Regents of

Higher Education in May 2009.

With a shared commitment to a

new mission and vision, and an

organizational shift to continuous

quality improvement, the College

utilized the work of Alfred, Shultz,

and Seybert’s “Core Indicators

of Effectiveness for Community

Colleges” to establish 14 core

indicators of effectiveness for the

institution.

These indicators are grouped into

five focus areas:

1. Participation2. Student Success3. Academic Preparation4. Workforce Development 5. Transfer Preparation

This report’s content is designed

to provide a glimpse of how the

College is progressing within

those focus areas. n

monitoRing ourpRogRess

by joe schaffer, dean/ceo

mission

Our mission is to foster the success of our students and their communities through innovative, flexible learning opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and aspirations resulting in self-fulfillment and competitiveness in an increasingly global society.

vision

In the next decade, MSU – Great Falls will play a leading role in transforming the lives of our students, their communities and the economic prosperity of Montana by responding to learner and community needs through the use of partnerships, innovation, outreach and technology.

values

• Accountability

• Integrity

• Lifelong Learning

• Respect

• Responsiveness

• Student Success

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In 2009, the campus community

culminated a year of preparation

and innovation for the next era

at MSU – Great Falls by engaging

in a strategic planning process.

Grass-roots ideas were solicited

from the campus to identify

critical issues and opportunities.

Using an online discussion board,

individuals proposed strategic

actions the College should pursue,

explained their importance, and

suggested specific activities. From

this list of ideas, the plan was

refined and debated.

the simplicity of this strategic

plan is worthy of particular

attention. The College Planning,

Budget, and Analysis Committee

(CPBAC) annually compiles the

campus strategic plan based

on a foundation of operational

activities throughout the units

of the College. The result is a

strategic plan with clear, big-

picture priorities to be addressed

through the individual goals of

each division and department.

the plan is fluid – it will be

reviewed and updated on an

annual basis, removing strategic

priorities that have been met and

those no longer of interest and

adding new ones. Each year, as

part of the review of the strategic

plan, CPBAC will produce a report

of accomplishments tracking the

achievement of goals as outlined

in the annual campus plan.

The three broad strategic

priorities for 2009-2013 are

illustrated below. n

StrategiC priOrity 1

increase the number of students participating in and completing programs that result in their successful transfer to a bachelor degree program.

Montana’s two-year colleges are being

under utilized for transfer to bachelor

degree programs. In FY07, only 227 of the

4,903 students who earned bachelor’s

degrees from Montana’s public colleges

had previously attended a two-year

college. Roughly 30% of Montana’s two-

year college students are enrolled with

the intent to transfer compared to 50%

nationally.

StrategiC priOrity 2

increase the number of adult students participating in and earning a post-secondary credential.

Montana ranks last in the West and near

last in the nation for the number of adults

in higher education.

StrategiC priOrity 3

increase the number of high school students participating in early college activities leading to college credit.

Montana ranks low regionally and

nationally in the number of high school

students enrolled in credit-bearing

college activities with only 2.3% of 15-

17 year olds enrolled compared to 7.3%

nationally.

The Montana University System currently

enrolls only 55% of recent high school

graduates.

stRategic pRioRities

student pRofile _______________ AVERAGE AGE

26 OVER AGE 25

40.6%

1145 1147

1235headcount - 25 years and over

07 08 09

10987 85

headcount - 15 to 17 years old

07 08 09

645

601

621

headcount - transfer students

07 08 09

by joe schaffer, dean/ceo

Unduplicated Headcount Unduplicated Headcount

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dental assistant This Program was re-accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

dental hygieneOne-hundred percent pass rate on the National Board Exam and also on the Western Regional Board Exam.

Since the Dental Hygiene program’s inception, students have provided dental hygiene treatment and education to approximately 7,000 patients. They have provided restorative treatment to approximately 100 patients.physical therapist assistantOnly 32 out of the nation’s 214 PTA programs had 100% of their graduates pass the exam on their first try. MSU – Great Falls was one of these 32 programs! The Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education has approved continued full accreditation for the PTA program.

radiologic technologyOne-hundred percent of the students taking radiologic technology board exams passed. This puts MSU – Great Falls at 100% retention, 100%

participation, and 100% pass on the National Boards.

practical nurse One-hundred percent of the students who graduated in July 2008 passed the NCLEX-PN on their first attempt. The Practical Nursing program ranked first across every jurisdiction based on the percentage of graduates passing their national exam.

When the Montana Board of Nursing surveyed the Practical Nurse Program, the team reported all standards were met and no recommendations were made.

respiratory care Graduates maintain a consistently high level of pass rate with 100% of students passing over the past five years compared to 60% nationally.

The Respiratory Care program received re-accreditation by their professional organization, CoARC. The program met or exceeded all currently set “thresholds” for success on each of the required outcome measures.

Respiratory Care Week was recognized in Great Falls as students visited local high schools to raise awareness of respiratory care. They also visited elementary schools to raise tobacco awareness. Respiratory Therapists work in intensive care units and critical care units, taking care of life support systems, mainly mechanical ventilation and other cardiopulmonary types of systems.

surgical technologyThe nation’s 11th ranked program. 100% of students graduating in 2008-9 passed the Certified Surgical Technologist Exam compared to 72% pass rate nationwide. 100% of the graduates were placed in their field.

pRogRam achievements

The proportion of MSU – Great Falls students who attempt an industry licensure or certification exam and successfully pass, earning an industry recognized/required credential.

08 09

98.6% 92.1%

student pass rate on professional exams

eight abilities _____________________________________________________________________

The faculty-driven Outcomes Assessment Team created a strategic approach to tie student learning outcomes to eight institutional student learning outcomes.

Academic Outcomes illustrating how the Eight Abilities are achieved through course work at MSU – Great Falls are now included in program curriculum information in the MSU – Great Falls catalog.

1. Communication 2. Quantitative Reasoning 3. Inquiry & Analysis 4. Aesthetic Engagement 5. Diversity 6. Technical Literacy 7. Critical Thinking 8. Effective Citizenship

} }outcomes

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student pRofile _______________ OLDEST YOUNGEST GRADUATE GRADUATE

57 18

2009 gRaduate demogRaphics _______________________Degrees & Certificates Awarded ........ 238Associate of Art ................................... 29Associate of Science ............................ 34 Associate of Applied Science ............... 122 Certificate of Applied Science ................ 53Multiple Degree Recipients ................. 21Total Graduates ................................. 217Graduates Attending Commencement ................................ 135Graduating w/ Honors ........................ 39Graduating w/ High Honors ................ 41Oldest Graduate .................................. 57Youngest Graduate .............................. 18Average Age ...................................... 28.5

At the heart of every institution of higher education is the curriculum.

At the heart of the curriculum is the faculty. MSU – Great Falls is blessed

with some of the finest teachers who comprise the ranks of its faculty.

These individuals carry instructional loads well above their peers.

They are engaged in student advisement, professional development,

service to the College and involvement in the community. Because of

demanding workloads and very little free time, the College had been

void of a Faculty Senate to help chart the direction of the academy.

Faculty leaders like Colleen Hazen (English), Leonard Bates (Respiratory

Therapy), and Bruce Gottwig (Computer Information Technology)

worked to remedy that starting in 2007.

Nearly two years later, the fruits of their labor were seen. At the

College’s annual holiday gathering in December 2008, I had the honor of

signing into the institution’s record, along with Dr. Heidi Pasek, Leonard

Bates, and Bruce Gottwig, the charter for the Montana State University

– Great Falls College of Technology Faculty Senate. The symbolism of

this document is fitting for the additional responsibility the Faculty have

assumed. They are aggressively improving the manner in which faculty-

driven committees and groups are staffed and directed, tackling some

difficult issues on campus such as curriculum design and approval, and

most importantly from my perspective, they are carrying the collective

voice of the faculty. n

FaCUlty SeNate COUNCil Fy2009

faculty senateby joe schaffer, dean/ceo

nisod excellence awaRdDr. Cherie McKeever, Rebecca Johnson, Bruce Gottwig, Lynn Ward,

and Robert Truax received the 2009 National Institute for Staff and

Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award for their

teaching and leadership excellence. n

The proportion of first-time, full-time students who completed a degree or certificate program in three years.

n peers n msu-gf

percentage of students who graduated within three years

The proportion of first-time, part-time students who completed a degree or certificate program in five years.

percentage of students who graduated within five years

n peers n msu-gf

• Bruce Gottwig - Chair

• Leonard Bates

• Marilyn Besich

• Rebecca Johnson

• Thomas Oakberg

• Carmen Perry

• Mark Plante

• Richard Rehberger

• Adam Wenz

full-time students

01 02 03 04 05

17.0%

22.0%

13.0%10.0%

18.0%18.5%

16.5%

16.2% 16.1%

14.2%

15.0%

11.0%

14.0%

8.3% 8.3% 8.9%

part-time students

01 02 03

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a legacy of college achievement

monitoRing ourpRogRess

FOCUS ON: partiCipatiONMSU – Great Falls is committed to expanding participation in higher education by raising aspirations, offering support, and providing meaningful courses and programs.

val jeNSeN - In most colleges,

five students living under one

roof isn’t all that uncommon.

However, when these five college

students include a mother and

her four children, a uniquely

inspirational story of what it

means to pursue your educational

dreams emerges.

During MSU – Great Falls spring

2008 commencement, Val Jenson

was like many parents proud

to watch their children cross

the stage, receive a diploma,

and excitedly wave to friends

and family. However, unlike

many other parents, she felt

the joy of seeing two of her

daughters’ names in the same

commencement program and had

the unique experience of being a

graduate herself. This exceptional

story continues. In May 2010, she

plans to receive a second degree

from MSU – Great Falls, this time

sharing commencement with her

two sons.

“You are never too old to learn,”

said Val. “Learning provides a

deep sense of accomplishment

and satisfaction. So far, it is one

of my life’s biggest thrills.” n

d i am too old /young tO gO tO COllege__________________________________________________________

tOO yOUNg? There are numerous opportunities for high school students to earn college credits, and sometimes high school credit at the same time. MSU – Great Falls partners with high schools to offer early college opportunities.

tOO Old? Over 40% of students at MSU – Great Falls were age 25 and over in 2008-09. Services, schedules, and programs at the College are tailored to meet the needs of adult students.

Val Jensen (center) poses with her two daughters, Lindsay and Julie.Photo Courtesy of Val Jensen

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Students attend college as an

investment in their future. They

want quality education and

often need help and direction.

For a variety of reasons, some

students may experience

significant challenges that can

disrupt their education. Adult

students often have risk factors

associated with their family and

job responsibilities. Each risk

factor competes with college and

further reduces students’ chance

of graduating.

Students who have been away

from formal education for a few

years may be challenged by math

and/or writing course work.

They may be required to begin in

developmental (remedial) levels

of those subjects. Still others

might be the first in their families

to go to college, leaving them

without a solid support system of

people who know what they are

facing. Persistence in college can

be a rocky road for many people.

Statistics available through

the Bureau of Labor Statistics

demonstrate that attaining a

degree makes a critical difference

in the financial well-being of

citizens. We at MSU – Great Falls

believe in the power of education

to provide a secure future for the

families of our students. We see

furthering the education of our

students as the unique role we

can play in the economic health

of our communities.

For every 100 Montana ninth

graders, 78 graduate from high

school. Of these students, forty-

three enter college and only

twenty-seven return for their

second year of college.

The College identifies and acts

on barriers to student success.

Student Central is the one-stop-

shop provided for students to

find connections to all campus

programs and services. n

baRRieRs and challenges

_____________________________________

Source: ‘How is Your State Doing?’ National Council on Higher Education Management Systems, www.higheredinfo.org

enRollment __________________________________________________________

Combined enrollment for Fy2009 was 1,352 Fte with a headcount of 3,044 students. the College has been one of the fastest growing institutions in the mUS, charting a 62% change in Fte since 2001. the College recorded an 11% increase in Fte for fall 2009 over fall 2008. in addition, the College serves approximately 2,000 students annually in non-credit and customized training programs.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

19702137 2122 2173 2187

27022837 2855

3044

135212131213

118610931098

1059952835

n fte n headcount

Fy 2001 - 2009

full-time enrollment & headcount

military FrieNdlyDesignated as a Military Friendly School for 2009, MSU – Great Falls is ranked in the top 15% of all colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide for service to the military.

Fy2009 aChievemeNtS

nRecord number of graduates

nMore pathways to encourage students to begin earning college credits while they are in high school

nIncreased marketing and recruiting to share information about the higher education opportunities available

nIncreased implementation of formal articulation agreements to ease credit transfer to four-year colleges

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‘‘‘‘my motivation to persist is that i see the need for a dental health professional to help educate Native americans on the prevention of dental disease.

monitoRing ourpRogRess

FOCUS ON: StUdeNt SUCCeSSMSU – Great Falls is dedicated to student success and achievement; striving to meet the educational needs of our students and their communities.

peRsistence successis the key to

raChelle raCiNe is a 1st year

student in the MSU – Great

Falls Dental Hygiene program.

She worked tirelessly toward

acceptance into the program,

continually improving her grade

point average to get through the

competitive application process.

Two years ago, she was accepted

into the program after multiple

attempts. She completed one

year of the program but became

pregnant and had to withdraw.

Rachelle applied again for fall

2009 enrollment, was accepted

back in to the program and is doing

well. Rachelle has demonstrated

persistence in working toward her

Dental Hygiene degree. During

her year off before reapplying

to the Dental Hygiene program,

she completed general education

courses through MSU Billings that

will prepare her to eventually

receive a bachelor degree once

she has earned her degree in

Dental Hygiene.

Rachelle’s goal is to return to

Browning, Montana, and work as

a Dental Hygienist with the Indian

Health Service. n

Rachelle Racine (left) takes a pause while in training with her instructor Kim Woloszyn (right).

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student centRal ____________________

Consolidated services for students are now located at the north entrance. Students come to Student Central to conduct their business and access Student Services they need from entry to graduation. Staff are on hand year-round to ensure excellent and friendly service.

advisingNew students start with advising in Student Services and transition to faculty advisors through two major events: STAR (Student Advising and Registration) and Orientation Day. Meaningful relationships with faculty advisors are initiated at each of these events.

disability services Disability Services provides reasonable accommodations to provide access to all of the College’s programs and services.

financial aidIn 2009, there were significant changes in financial aid for Veterans and others. The Financial Aid Department educates students and staff on new opportunities.

learning centerThe Learning Center set records in 2009 for providing tutoring and study skills help free to students.

adult basic literacy education (able)Great Falls Public Schools relocated the ABLE program to the MSU – Great Falls campus in 2009. ABLE provides GED, college brush-up, and English for speakers of other languages at no charge.

liz aNdrewS, a Licensed Practical

Nurse who graduated from MSU –

Great Falls, now works on the Medical

floor at Benefis Health System. She feels

the Practical Nurse program at MSU –

Great Falls lives up to its reputation as

a well-known and respected academic

program. “It is a great program and it

isn’t easy,” said Liz. “It is intense and challenging but when I finished,

I was prepared and confident of my skills. I know that I am a better

person for it.”

Liz worked part time as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) while she was

attending college but eventually had to cut back on her hours. “There

was no way to work and keep up with school,” she said. “My husband

and I realized that getting through school was the most important thing

and had to take priority. Looking back it was all worth it.” Liz hopes she

and her family will be in Great Falls for a few more years to give her

time to earn her Registered Nurse degree. Because her husband is in

the military, she realizes there is the chance of his being transferred. n

living the dReam afteR gRaduation

Thanks to a $1.6 million appropriation from the 2009 Montana

Legislature, MSU – Great Falls plans to embark upon two projects that

will advance the overall mission of the College.

SimUlated health Care CeNter: To be constructed in existing

campus space, the Center will provide practical, hands-on learning. The

Center will prepare students for real-life scenarios through simulated

patient conditions not available in traditional academic settings. The

knowledge gained through this clinical environment will enhance health

care education and significantly improve future patient care and safety.

ChildCare CeNter: The Childcare Center will be new construction

on campus. The College has found adequate, affordable childcare is a

barrier to many student-parents. It is a financial hurdle that can prevent

students from reaching their academic potential and career goals. The

College recognizes daycare costs rival the cost of tuition and intends

that the Childcare Center provide access to the high quality, affordable

childcare needed by student-parents. n

upcoming pRojects focus on students

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The Great Falls Adult Basic Literacy

Education Program (ABLE) moved

to the MSU – Great Falls campus

in late summer 2009. The ABLE

program provides basic literacy

education, English as a Second

Language and college brush-up.

They also offer preparation for the

General Education Development

(GED) testing service.

This partnership will continue to

develop and strengthen as the

ABLE faculty participate with the

faculty in the MSU – Great Falls

Arts and Sciences Division. The

two groups, especially those Arts

and Science Division faculty who

teach developmental English

and math classes, look forward

to collaborating through cross

referrals.

A student whose progress stalls

on a specific skill or understanding

can often revisit that specific

course content rather than

taking an entire course to solve

one deficiency. Because the two

groups of faculty will be familiar

success rate of students in remedial course workThe proportion of students who earned a grade of C- or better in developmental courses designed to prepare them for college- level course work in English and mathematics.

n all* n english n mathematics* Includes all remedial courses offered by the College

monitoRing ourpRogRess

FOCUS ON: aCademiC preparatiONMSU – Great Falls prepares individuals for success in college course work through developmental (remedial) education and adult basic education.

bRidging the gapStudents getting help from the ABLE program. From left to right: Jesse Flesch, Instructor Steve Opheim and Cody Manywhitehorses.

70%

62% 64%

Fy09

(Continued on page 15)

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with the scope and focus of

each other’s programs, they will

assist students more quickly and

efficiently.

The developmental courses

available through MSU – Great

Falls provide significant support

and means for students who need

to build their knowledge, skills,

and confidence. The Science

Department piloted Biology 080

in 2009 to offer an introduction

to basic scientific principles and

processes. Now in its second year,

this course has nearly doubled in

enrollment and has encouraged

many students to continue their

studies with a particular focus in

health care fields.

The number of students taking

developmental English and

math classes has increased –

by approximately 30% – in the

past year, along with general

enrollment increases. With

greater communication among

developmental education faculty

and ABLE faculty, the Arts and

Sciences Division continues to

seek ways to move students

through the course work they

need without prolonging the

process unnecessarily. Division

faculty are currently exploring

ways to modularize course content

so, with good assessments and

placement data, they may help

students reduce the time it takes

to bridge the various gaps. n

(Bridging the Gap continued from page 14)_________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Everyone is college material. Many people think college is a restricted environment only accessible to students of the highest academic success in high school or with deep financial pockets. This is simply not the case, especially in Montana.

We have it all - small universities and large universities, community colleges and tribal colleges, public schools and private schools. It isn’t whether or not you are college material, but rather which school is right for you.

d i’m NOt college mateRial

identifying and oveRcoming baRRieRs Barriers to student success may

be personal, financial, work-

related, or academic.

MSU – Great Falls faculty and

staff work together to help

students overcome barriers,

succeed in courses and remain

enrolled.

Our goal is to ensure more of

our students continue to enroll

semester to semester. n

Second Year Persistence Rates refer to the proportion of new students who enrolled at the beginning of one academic year and were still enrolled in the fall of the next academic year without having completed a degree or certificate. The graphs illustrate the difference between full- and part-time students.

n peers n msu-gf

second year persistence rates

full time

53.5%53.8%55.8%56.3%56.1%54.4% 56.3%

54.4% 50.3%

46.6% 47.3% 49.5%

45.3%

53.3%

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

part time

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

33.7%33.1%31.8%32.8%33.1%32.2%30.0%

38.5%43.6% 44.4%

33.3%

45.4%

43.6% 45.8%

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woRkfoRce initiativesparking up big results

early COllege

Because of the Workforce

Initiative, MSU – Great Falls

has begun to offer high school

students welding instruction

leading to welding certification

testing. A high school advanced

biology class crucial to careers in

the health fields is now offered

for dual credit with MSU – Great

Falls. MSU – Northern offers three

dual credit classes in automotive

technology to students in Great

Falls high schools. Discussions

are underway between Great

Falls Public Schools and MSU –

Great Falls for career pathways

programs in business education

and health care occupations. The

University of Great Falls is also

involved in dual credit discussions.

adUlt BaSiC edUCatiON/ged

Another outcome of the initiative

was unanticipated. Great Falls

Public Schools and MSU – Great

Falls collaborated to move the

district’s Adult Basic Literacy

Education, or ABLE, program from

the Paris Gibson Education Center

to the MSU – Great Falls campus.

See page 14 for more information.

high SChOOl partNerSProbably the most unsung hero of

the initiative is the work to align

math and English curricula of the

high schools and higher education.

Faculty, staff, administrators,

and community members have

worked to align courses and

programs ensuring college

readiness upon graduation. A

scope and sequence analysis for

college readiness standards in

mathematics has been completed

for the Great Falls Public Schools.

The analysis used ACT college

readiness standards as well as the

Montana Board of Regents Policy

on Mathematics Proficiency

(which also has an ACT standard

for admission and placement).

Through the analysis, outcomes

for all the courses offered by

the District were identified and

shared.

Career readiNeSS

Through surveys and direct

feedback from the Business

community talking about how

to meet workforce needs,

Great Falls Public Schools have

begun the planning for Career

Academies. A new high school

agriculture program is being

implemented and a national work

readiness certification program

to address “soft” work skills

known as “WorkKeys” is slated for

deployment.

COllege awareNeSS

Over 800 East and North Middle

school 7th graders experienced

higher education first hand in the

inaugural tour of the University

of Great Falls and MSU – Great

Falls campuses last April to

demonstrate the reality of having

college goals for every student.

This is now an annual event.

Skilled tradeS CareerS

In October, local labor

organizations and apprenticeship

programs offered an Apprenticeship

Rodeo at the Cascade County

Fairgrounds. At the event, high

school freshmen from Great Falls

and surrounding communities got

“hands on” demonstrations in

more than a dozen trades. n

d yOU Need a 4-yeaR degRee ___________________________

Whether you are looking for a fresh start in a new field with better pay or enrolling in college for the first time, a two-year degree is a quick route to success. Associate degrees and certificates are affordable and convenient and lead to professional careers in health care, business, technology, and trades.

Page 18: MSU-Great Falls Annual Report FY09

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Through a unique partnership between MSU – Great Falls, the

Northcentral Montana Healthcare Alliance, Benefis Health System,

Teton Medical Center in Choteau, Pondera Medical Center in Conrad,

and Northern Montana Hospital in Havre, the first cohort of rural nursing

students completed pre-nursing course work in their local health care

facility using the REACH Montana teleconference network.

celebRation of tRades building

Reach- a health caRe paRtneRship

Fy2009 responses to employment need - Welding - Graphic Design - Wind Montana Project - Carpentry - Great Falls Workforce Initiative - Public Safety Communication

monitoRing ourpRogRess

FOCUS ON: wOrkFOrCe develOpmeNtMSU – Great Falls is committed to the success of students in attaining a credential leading to life-sustaining careers in applied programs.

The Grand Opening of the MSU – Great Falls Construction and Industrial

Trades building was held in September 2008 in partnership with the

Chamber of Commerce. Steering Committee members Brad Talcott of

Talcott Construction and Mike Waldenberg of Central Plumbing and

Heating joined Dean Joe Schaffer to welcome guests and thank the

community for their support.

annual median earnings & educational attainment

Bachelor’s Degree ............ $50,856

Associate Degree .............. $38,272

Some College .................... $33,540

High School Graduate ....... $30,732

Not HS Graduate............... $22,152________________________________

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, 2008

The number of applied degrees (AAS) and certificates (CAS) granted annually by MSU – Great Falls.

number of workforce degrees granted

136150

171 178

05 06 07 08 09

177

The proportion of applied degrees (AAS) and certificates (CAS) granted annually by MSU – Great Falls as a percentage of annual applied program student headcount.

workforce degree production rate

05 06 07 08 09

14% 15% 16%15%

13%

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Montana is ranked second in the

nation in potential wind energy

production. The wind industry

is here and expected to grow.

This development will require

a substantial workforce, which

MSU – Great Falls recognized and

is working to provide.

MSU – Great Falls has had two

wind-energy goals for several

years. One was to start a wind

turbine technician training

program; the second was to erect

a wind turbine on campus, both

to help with energy savings and

for its educational value. Those

goals came closer to reality

when the College successfully

applied for grant funding from

the Department of Labor’s

Community-Based Job Training

Grant Program.

The $1.97 million Wind Montana

program will establish Sustainable

Energy Technician programs

at MSU – Great Falls, MSU –

Northern in Havre, MT Tech

in Butte and MSU – Billings

College of Technology. Curricula

development has been a joint

effort among faculty and

administrators from the four

campuses. If approved by the

Montana Board of Regents, the

Sustainable Energy Technician

Certificate and Associate of

Applied Science programs will

start in Fall 2010.

Included in the project is partial

funding for a 50Kw wind turbine

that will be installed southwest

of the main campus building.

The turbine will be on a 120-foot

monopole.

Power from the turbine will offset

some power demands of the

Trades Building in an arrangement

called net metering. When the

turbine generates more power

than the building uses, the electric

meter will “spin backwards.” n

Graduates who have earned a degree or certificate intended for immediate employment report they are either employed in their field or employed in their field while they continue their education. *Note: The 2007 increase reflects an additional graduating class of practical nurse students.

in-field placement rates

Proportion of population in MSU – Great Falls service areas that has participated in at least one college course with the College.

n great falls

n bozeman

regional market penetration

07 08 09

0.79%0.69% 0.70%

2.62%

2.40% 2.37%

sustainable eneRgy woRkfoRce pRoject

d i dON’t Need a college degRee_____________________Long gone are the days when a high school diploma was the ticket to a satisfying career. Research has shown earnings increase exponentially with higher education achievement.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008, those with full time employment and an associate degree earned 25% more per year than those employed full time with only a high school degree. Workers with a bachelor’s degree earned 65% more. Guess what else? Most of the high-demand, high-wage jobs of the future are going to require some education beyond high school.

mel lehman __________________Wind MT Project Manager

04 05 06 07 08 09

72.7%

75.6%77.2%

81.5%

77.3%76.9%

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ShaUNeeN CrOCker worked

full time cleaning houses to help

support her family of 10 children

while she made her first attempt

at a college education. She earned

an Associate of Arts degree from

MSU – Great Falls and then

transferred to MSU – Northern on

the Great Falls Campus. Shauneen

knows first hand that courses

taken at MSU – Great Falls will

transfer to a four-year college.

She is on track to complete her

bachelor’s degree in Elementary

Education in the fall of 2010.

“Judy Oveson, Northern’s Great

Falls Director, was especially

helpful to me,” said Shauneen.

“She always remembers my

name and what I am doing. She

is very knowledgeable about the

Elementary Education program.”

At age 42, Shauneen is on her way

to a career as a teacher, thanks to

the presence of higher education

in Great Falls. She plans to

continue her education by working

toward her master’s in psychology

and education administration.

“My most valuable experience at

college has been to realize how

intelligent I am. I know that I can

succeed in anything now,” said

Shauneen “In the near future, I

want to help elementary students

understand that they can succeed

in life like I have through a college

education.” n

Shauneen Crocker (left) visits with Northern’s Great Falls Director, Judy Oveson (right) .

monitoRing ourpRogRess

FOCUS ON: traNSFer preparatiONMSU – Great Falls encourages students to complete transfer programming and successfully transfer toward a four-year degree.

tRansfeR success

student pRofile _______________ Fall 2008 mSUgF iNCOmiNg StUdeNtS

Continuing students ............... 603

Returning students ................. 335

New First Time ....................... 370

New Transfer .......................... 836

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The number of Montana’s Bachelor Degree graduates who transferred to a four-year college from one of the state’s two-year colleges.

2-year transfer bachelor degree awardees

oppoRtunities foR tRansfeR Students wanting to earn a

bachelor’s degree can start

at MSU – Great Falls. Formal

agreements with four-year

colleges ensure that transfer will

be seamless. The College has

Articulation Degrees in specific

study areas with MSU – Northern,

the University of Great Falls,

and Park University. Programs of

study are also available through

Montana State University and UM

Western. A detailed list of transfer

agreements can be found in the

online Academic Catalog. n

The number of transfer (AA and AS) degrees granted and MUS Core transcripted annually by MSU – Great Falls.

transfer degrees granted

30

53 55

3541

05 06 07 08 09

The proportion of transfer (AA and AS) degrees granted and MUS Core transcripted annually by MSU – Great Falls as a percentage of annual transfer program student headcount.

transfer degrees production

05 06 07 08 09

6% 6%5%

9% 10%

d COUrSeS wON’t tRansfeR tO 4-yr COllegeS_____________________Yes, they will! MSU – Great Falls offers a number of transfer options including the Montana University System Core Transfer, the Associate of Science Degree, the Associate of Arts Degree, and various course recommendations and transfer agreements with Montana University System and private four-year schools.

msugf miles dawson fvcc billings helena mt tech missoula

38

19

73

5

34

5 4

75

08/09

miles dawson fvcc msugf helena

27

81

111

2535

07/08

UM Western

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tRansfeRability initiativeTransferring courses between

colleges within the Montana

University System has frequently

been a challenge for students.

The work started by faculty from

all of our public colleges in 2008

is laying the groundwork for

seamless transfer of equivalent

course work. When faculty from

MSU – Great Falls meet with their

counterparts from Northern,

Bozeman, Billings, Missoula,

Dillon, Butte, and Helena, they

talk about ‘learning outcomes.’

What knowledge do we expect a

student completing the first year

of College Algebra to possess?

What are our expectations of

a student completing College

Writing 1? These conversations

are the basis for faculty work to

make transfer between our public

Montana colleges seamless for

students. “Working with writing

instructors from around the state

on the Transferability Initiative

was intellectually stimulating,”

said Jeffrey Hostetler, Humanities

Department Chair for the COT in

Bozeman. “It was rewarding to be

of service to current and future

students of Montana’s colleges

and universities.” n

If an MSU – Great Falls student

completes the ‘Core,’ it will transfer

smoothly to any institution in the

Montana University System. For this

to happen, however, the student

must request from the Registrar’s

Office that Core Completion be

designated on the transcript.

“Transcripting the Core provides

students with an official record

of their focused achievements

related to academic development

and workforce preparation,” said

William Krieger, Division Director

of Arts & Sciences. “It also helps

them continue their education by

smoothing the transfer process and

providing prospective employers with

documentation of their skills and

knowledge.”

coRe completion campaign ________________

The above poster is a component of the Transcript Core Completion marketing spearheaded by Krieger.

aRticulation agReementsArticulation agreements make it

possible for a student to follow a

plan beginning with an associate

degree from MSU – Great Falls

leading to a bachelor’s degree.

These are formal agreements

outlining the appropriate course

work students should complete at

MSU – Great Falls prior to transfer.

In the 2008-09 academic year, 21

articulations were available with

three colleges: Park University,

MSU-Northern, and the University

of Great Falls. In addition, the

Core articulated to the Core at

the University of Great Falls.

Five programs of study allowed

students to complete course work

toward a bachelor’s degree at

MSU-Northern, MSU Bozeman

and UM-Western. n

common couRse numbeRingWith transferability in mind,

the 2007 Legislature mandated

that all undergraduate

courses at Montana University

System colleges be numbered

consistently. At the end of this

process (anticipated 2011), all

courses deemed to be equivalent

must have the same prefix, course

number, and title. n

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aNNa rOSe kerN needed only two classes to complete her senior year

at Dutton/Brady High School. She was involved in many extracurricular

activities like basketball, Student Council, and National Honor Society.

But, she still had too much free time. When her mother heard that Dual

Enrollment courses would allow Anna Rose to earn college credit while

she was in high school, she checked the options on the MSU – Great

Falls website. Anna and her mother shared the information with high

school administrators, and, together, they were successful in gaining

this opportunity for Dutton/Brady students. By the end of fall semester

2009, Anna had completed eight online college courses.

Anna’s goal is to graduate from the MSU Bozeman Nursing Program and

work as a Registered Nurse in the pediatric ward of a large hospital. She

will complete the prerequisite courses required for the MSU Bozeman

Nursing Program in December 2010 and hopes to be accepted into the

Nursing program spring semester 2011. “I have wanted to be a nurse

ever since I was a child,” she said. “I have always had a special place in

my heart for kids and would love to be able to comfort and take care of

them.”

Early college courses give high school students an insight into what

college courses require. “Online college courses can be very difficult

at times. They require a lot of self discipline,” Anna said. “I had to be

focused and attentive to guidelines. The College was very supportive

and informative during the whole process of registering and helpful

answering any questions I had about specific classes or online courses.”

n

the appeal of eaRly college

In 2008-09, MSU – Great Falls partnered with 16 Montana high schools in providing high school students with the opportunity to earn either high school credit and college credit simultaneously or college credit only in the courses provided by MSU – Great Falls.

Faculty members began the process of becoming certified by the Office of Public Instruction to teach high school students.

eaRly college ________________

d i dON’t have time tO gO tO COllege_____________________We all lead busy lives and they don’t seem to be slowing down. MSU – Great Falls offers options for busy people who would like to take college courses by offering courses and programs online, in the evening and in accelerated formats. In the past ten years, the College has increased the number of online courses from 12 to over 140.

Over 50% of students at MSU – Great Falls take at least one online course every semester. The primary reasons cited by students for enrolling in online courses are: flexible schedule, the ability to make time for family and career, and reduced commuting costs.

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trends in expenditures per fte

FY 06 07 08 09 10 budget

$9,853$10,502

$11,162$11,529

$11,919

$11,035$10,867$10,325

$9,650$9,122

$7,240

$7,939

$8,684 $8,543 $8,699

$7,924$7,511$7,656

$7,071$6,734

18 MSU-GF

20 2-year Average**

21 ma/ba Average

21 flagship Average

% change

** Includes community colleges, excludes embedded Colleges of Technology Source: MUS FY10 Operating Budget Metrics using institutional averages and not aggregate expenditures from fall to fall.

downtown training centers closedThe College closed downtown training centers in Great Falls and Bozeman, enacted program closures, consolidations, or modifications, left many vacant employee positions unfilled, and eliminated an additional 10 faculty and staff positions.

Coupled with general spending reductions, the College reduced its overall budget by 5% (approximately one-half million dollars) simply to balance its budget coming into FY10.

fundingI am constantly asked how it is possible a campus like MSU – Great Falls can be growing at such a significant rate and yet be faced with revenue and funding restrictions. There is no simple answer, but the general issue has its roots in the way in which higher education receives its funding.

revenueOf the College’s funding, approximately 40% of revenue is generated through student tuition and 60% comes from state dollars. Percentages are misleading though, when you consider the actual dollar amounts. To put this into context, compared to the three types of institutions in Montana (UM and MSU (the state’s Flagship Universities), four-year colleges, and two-year colleges) MSU – Great Falls receives approximately

$4,731 in state funding per resident FTE, whereas the 2-year institution average is $4,589, the four-year average is $6,932, and the Flagship University average is $5,599. While most two-year colleges do not have the facilities infrastructure of the universities, many of our programs are equivalent or more costly to operate.

expendituresOn average, MSU – Great Falls spent $7,511 to educate one full-time student in FY09. The University of Montana – Helena College of Technology and MSU – Great Falls spend the least amount per student in the Montana University System (see graph below) This puts MSU – Great Falls spending approximately 75% of the national average at two-year colleges. n

by joe schaffer, dean/ceo

funding challenges

MSU – Great Falls continues

to be incredibly efficient.

The chart on the right

illustrates a historical

trend of expenditures per

student FTE for MSU –

Great Falls compared to

average expenditures for

institution types in the

Montana University System.

The College spends less per

student FTE than nearly all

other institutions in the state

and well below the various

averages of other institution

types. This will continue to be

a challenge for our campus.

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employment pRofile _______________Full-Time Faculty ...................... 51

Part-time Faculty ...................... 96

Professional Staff ...................... 30

Classified Staff .......................... 49____________________Source: Fall 08 Data

financial RepoRt

general Operating % of total One-time-Only % of total total % of total

State Appropriations $5,614,097 62.0% $419,550 99.9% $6,033,647 63.7%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tuition and Fees $3,342,919 36.9% - 0.0% $3,342,919 35.3%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Interest Earnings $17,453 0.2% $213 0.1% $17,666 0.2%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Miscellaneous Revenues $75,732 0.8% - 0.0% $75,732 0.8%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

tOtal $9,050,201 100.0% $419,763 100.0% $9,469,964 100.0%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

revenues:

general Operating % of total One-time-Only % of total total % of total

Instruction $5,406,826 52.4% $654,756 100.0% $6,061,582 55.2%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Public Service $169,076 1.6% - 0.0% $169,076 1.5%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Academic Support $ 1,338,534 13.0% - 0.0% $1,338,534 12.2%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Student Service $750,611 7.3% - 0.0% $750,611 6.8%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Institutional Support $1,152,827 11.2% - 0.0% $1,152,827 10.6%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Plant/Maintenance $1,292,645 12.5% - 0.0% $1,292,645 11.8%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Fee Waivers $212,461 2.0% - 0.0% $212,461 1.9%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

TOTAL $10,322,980 100.0% $654,756 100.0% $10,977,736 100.0%.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

expenses:

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financial aid awaRded in fy2009 _______________________

Pell Grants (904 students) .... $2,408,164

Subsidized Stafford Loans ..... $2,569,585

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans... $1,747,063

SEOG Grants .............................. $44,165

Baker Grants .............................. $72,708

Montana Higher Education Grants

................................................... $22,489

Federal College Workstudy ........ $70,446

State College Workstudy ........... $64,930

Access Grants ............................ $34,961

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants ............ $14,524

Ch. 30, 1606 & 35 Vet Benefits

................................................. $736,431

financial aid facts fy2009 _______________________

Average annual income for dependent aid applicants ....$36,418 Average annual income of independent aid applicants .............................................$24,631

Average Annual Stafford Loan Indebtedness .........................$3,143

Number of individuals receiving financial aid ..............1,510

Number of Veteran’s receiving financial aid .................159

Percent of students receiving financial aid .............49.6%

Note: Students can receive financial aid from multiple sources.

Montana High School Honor Scholarship Recipients ....................7

Membership in the Montana Campus Corps

program more than doubled between FY2008

and FY2009. Through this national Americorps

program, 55 MSU - Great Falls students enrolled

as Campus Corps members during FY2009.

They actively participated in volunteer work

in the community, potentially garnering over

$100,000 in education awards that can be used to pay school loan or

tuition expenses. n

montana campus coRps

The 2008-09 Academic Year

marked another record in student

enrollment. We attribute this to

the College’s aggressiveness in

adding the right programs while

striving to fill existing capacity in

current programs.

Between 2007 and 2009, the

College added or expanded

programs such as Design

Drafting (Bozeman), Interior

Design (Bozeman), Radiologic

Technology, Physical Therapist

Assistant, Medical Assisting,

Carpentry, Welding (Great Falls

and Bozeman), Medical Billing/

Coding, and Public Safety

Communications.

In late 2008, the College was

awarded a $2 million Community-

Based Jobs Training Grant

from the U.S. Department of

Labor to design and implement

programming in Sustainable

Energy at four campuses in the

Montana University System. We

anticipate these programs will

open for enrollment in the fall of

2010.

To accommodate programmatic

and enrollment growth, as

well as for budget limitations,

MSU – Great Falls was forced to

reduce operations entering into

2008-2009.

More reductions are likely in

future years and we will face

those challenges courageously,

with students in mind and quality

of programs always preserved. n

pRogRam gRowth and ResouRce Reductions

by joe schaffer, dean/ceo

student pRofile _______________ FULL-TIME PART-TIME

35% 65%

Source: MSUGF Fall 2008 Data

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MSU – Great Falls College of

Technology has provided a variety

of offerings in Bozeman for the

past ten years. The programs and

services at the COT in Bozeman

have become increasingly

focused and extensive. Current

offerings include developmental

(remedial) courses in math,

English, and college preparatory

study skills; Associate Degrees

in Aviation, Interior Design, and

Design Drafting; and a Certificate

in Welding. The operation is

staffed by 8 full-time faculty, 5

full-time staff and 21 adjunct

faculty.

In FY2009, enrollment hit a

record annual full time equivalent

(FTE) of 199 students. “With

the recent slowdown in the

economy, we have seen a number

of displaced workers enrolling

in the COT, many of whom need

developmental course work upon

their return to college,” said

Janet Heiss-Arms, Director of

Developmental Education.

In 2009, the COT transferred

its outreach programs to MSU

– Extended University and an

Associate of Applied Science

Degree in Design Drafting was

initiated. “We are thrilled to

have started this Design Drafting

Program to meet the needs of

students and local employers,”

said Ryan Haskins, Director of

Workforce Development.

The COT and Bozeman High School

collaborated in planning and

equipping the newly renovated

welding laboratory at Bozeman

High School. The COT contributed

equipment for the laboratory

through state grant funding for

training and equipment in high-

demand fields. COT Welding

Instructor David Cohenour stated,

“This partnership has provided

a significantly improved welding

lab, greatly improving the

teaching environment for our

students.”

Gallatin Valley employers

and community leaders are

interested in developing the

COT extension in Bozeman to

meet current workforce needs

in health care, hospitality,

information technology, and

metals fabrication. Program

development discussions are on-

going with these industry leaders

as efforts are made to evaluate

program viability, secure program

start-up funding and secure

classroom space to meet the

needs of these programs.

A vision document proposing a

model for two-year education

in Gallatin Valley was jointly

developed by the staff at the

COT in Bozeman, MSU – Great

Falls and MSU – Bozeman. It has

been presented to the Board of

Regents. n

cot in bozeman thRives

bob hietala ________________Chief Operations Officer

achievements ______________________________________________Since 2005, a successful course completion rate of 72-88% has been maintained for developmental math, developmental writing and college studies courses at the College of Technology in Bozeman.

• Since 2005, 80-85% of students who completed their developmental sequence passed the subsequent MSU course.

• In FY2009, 92% of the COT’s Aviation students were successful in their course work. Fifty-five percent of graduates were employed in the field of aviation.

• The success rate in Interior Design courses was 88%. Sixty percent of Interior Design students were employed in the field upon graduation.

• The success rate in Welding courses was 100%.

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The preceding pages of this report detail the activity and achievement of our campus over the past year.

A major component of this success is the generous support of partners and donors, those

committed to public higher education who generously support our College.

These contributions are key elements to the success of the college, but most importantly they are investments in the lives

of students who benefit from increased access to education, and ultimately to a career. It is this commitment by our donors and partners that will help advance our College and benefit the future

of our community. n

foundation report

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.Willing is not enough; we must do.

– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

CIRCLES GIVINGof

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• 3M • Albertsons• American Association of

University Women• Associated Students of MSU–

Great Falls• Barnes & Nobel• Mary Ellen Baukol• Bed Bath & Beyond• Benefis Health System• Dr. Nancy Bennani• Brian Brashear• John & Sheila Buchanan

Endowment• Cascade County Tavern

Association• Brian Cayko• Dairy Queen• Dollars for Scholars• Electric City Kennel Club• Tom Figarelle• Focus Publications• Fourth District Dental Society• Great Falls Area Chamber of

Commerce• Great Falls Business and

Professional Women• Great Falls Clinic• Great Falls Development

Authority• Great Falls Emergency Services• Great Falls Home Builders

Association• Great Falls Legislative

Delegation• Great Falls Public Schools• Great Falls Teachers Credit

Union• Great Falls Tribune• Kathy Haggart• Hartelius, Durocher, & Winter• Herb Waltermire Foundation• Dwight and Debbie Holman• HL and Dorthy Holman• I-CAR• Invenergy USA • Dr. Donald Jelenek• Charles and Gerry Jennings• KGPR Public Radio

• Kissler Family Foundation and Norco

• Ike & Christine Kowalski• Roland & Helen Lapee Family

Foundation Endowment• Local Union No 41 United

Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry

• Kirk Mattingly• McDonalds• Mary Sheehy Moe• Montana Community

Foundation• Montana Contractors

Association • Montana Oral Health

Foundation• MSU Extension Service• Northcentral MT Healthcare

Alliance• Pacific Steel and Recycling

- Corporate• Pacific Steel and Recycling -

Great Falls• Pam Parsons• Parts Channel Inc. • Pepsi-Cola of Great Falls• Peter Nelson Charitable Trust• Popcorn Colonel• Jeri Pullum• Craig Rardon• Kim Schrenk• Ryan Schrenk• Snap Fitness• Starbucks• Stuart and Jeanie Nicholson• Brad Talcott and Linda

Caricaburu• Taco del Sol• Target• The Cobb Foundation• Uptown/Downtown

Doghouse• Dr. Doug Van Dyck• David and Constance Weaver• Will and Nancy Weaver• Women in Construction• T. Eugene Young Endowment

• Sara Becker

• peggy Beltrone

• joan Bennett

• Steve Bennetts

• glenn Bliss

• Bill Bronson

• ingrid Callahan

• Sue dickenson

• dr. Bryan dunn

• deb evans

• laura goldhahn

• mark Semmens

• mike waldenberg

• david warner

• will weaver

dean’s advisoRy council ______________

• Sandra erickson

• knud grosen

• gerry jennings

• Brian kauffman

• dick lauritzen, m.d.

• Sharon Oakland

• Brad talcott

• dr. Suzanne waring

• Sue warren

• will weaver

msu-gReat falls foundation boaRd ______________

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MSU – Great Falls was proud to

recognize Will and Nancy Weaver

in May of 2009 by dedicating the

Weaver Library in honor of their

contributions to the College.

The Weavers have been integral

partners in the success of MSU

– Great Falls, promoting the

future of the institution as retired

administrators, donors, and

community advocates.

Their support was vital to the

overall development of the

College as it evolved from a

member of the Great Falls Public

School District, to a campus of

the Montana University System,

to an affiliate of Montana State

University. Along this path of

progress, Will and Nancy have

been proponents of increased

access to public higher education

in northcentral Montana. As

the largest private donors to

the College’s scholarship fund,

their example and advocacy has

inspired others in the community

to contribute to the future of

higher learning in Great Falls.

As Registrar and English faculty,

Nancy’s commitment to student

support and advancement was

felt inside the classroom and out.

Her tenure at the College spanned

nearly twenty years. As Dean,

Will oversaw an unprecedented

growth in enrollment. During

his tenure, enrollment grew 152

percent, from 472 students in the

fall semester of 1985, to 1,193

students in the fall semester of

2000.

Undoubtedly, their continued

commitment to educational

access by way of scholarship

opportunities has provided

life-changing opportunities to

students at MSU – Great Falls. n

weaveR libRaRy by tom figarelle, development officer

Will & Nancy Weaver

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SCOtt Stekly, a Welding

student, lost his pony tail in

exchange for a steel donation to

the College’s welding program.

The buzz cut was provided by

Joe Filipowicz, Salvage Manager

of Steel Etc, which contributed

pipe and plate metal to be

used for the College’s Welding

students to practice various welds

and cuts. Prior to entering the

Welding program to pursue a

second career, Scott had been

a long time local cosmetologist,

where he met Joe and his father

Jimmy, the owner of Steel Etc.

Upon hearing that Scott had

entered the Welding program,

the Filipowiczes became uniquely

interested, due to their business

connection as a local steel

distributor. When Scott began

the fall semester, he accepted the

hair-cut challenge. After being

used by the program, the scrap

materials will be returned to Steel

Etc for recycling. n

haiRcut foR steel sheaR genius

It is important that students in

the EMS-Paramedic program at

MSU – Great Falls experience

real life situations. In 2009,

Great Falls Emergency Services

donated a working ambulance

to the program to address the

need for training students to

load and unload patients and

develop the ability to work in

tight quarters before they do

the clinical part of their training.

The ambulance will be used for

practice runs at the College, for

training off-campus, and visits

to local schools to showcase

EMS-Paramedic careers. It is

expected the ambulance will also

supplement distance learning

courses. Program Director,

Joel Henderson, and Justin

Grohs, Manager of Great Falls

Emergency Services (GFES), have

collaborated to design ongoing

training for GFES employees

and to ensure alignment of the

College’s curriculum with needs

of employers. n

Real life oppoRtunities

msu-gReat falls fy09 contRibutions ____________________

CONtriBUtiONS .......................................$47,832

eNdOwmeNtS and FUNdS

Total Assets ..................$121,723

Spendable Cash .............$15,358

Funds Held on Campus ..$49,403

SChOlarShipS awarded

Institutionally Selected ....................................$ 186,498

In-state External Scholarships....................................$ 151,711

Out-of-state External Scholarships ...............$ 113,176

Page 32: MSU-Great Falls Annual Report FY09

changing lives — achieving dreams

It’s Possible . . .

Give . . .

To change a life and make a dream come true.

Your contribution can make their dreams a reality.

Montana State UniverSity – Great FallS College of technology

2100 16th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405 [406] 771.4300 or [800] 446.2698 fax: [406] 771.4317 www.msugf.edu