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JCC Responds to State Higher Ed Commission Report

Coinciding with the state Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth being lead by Lt. Gov. John Cherry, Jackson Community College officials are pleased with several of the recommendations for growth and are ahead of the curve in some areas. 

The Commission's report lists nearly two dozen recommendations to double the number of college graduates in the next decade and improve access to higher education for all Michigan residents.  Increasing Michigan's economic vitality and providing tomorrow's workers with the necessary skills for success in the state's economy are central to the Commission's agenda.

"Higher education is no longer a matter of luxury or a choice for only a few of today's students.  More and more, students must have some postsecondary education if they are to succeed in the marketplace," said JCC President Daniel J. Phelan.  "This begins a serious discussion of what the future of education should look like, with key individuals from all levels - K-12, community college, universities and the state."

Today, fewer than 22 percent of Michigan adults have attained bachelor's or advanced degrees - 2 percent below the national average and more than 10 percent below the states that are leading the nation in terms of both educational attainment and economic growth, according to information from Gov. Jennifer Granholm.  Further, only 34 percent of Michigan citizens between the ages of 25 and 34 have obtained postsecondary degrees.  Michigan is in the bottom tier of states in terms of adults with postsecondary degrees.

Some of the Cherry Commission recommendations include guaranteed financial support for post-secondary education, higher expectations and standards for high school students, a new high school assessment to replace the high-school level MEAP, integration of entrepreneurial skills and education into educational standards, expand access to baccalaureate institutions and degrees, expand opportunities for dual enrollment for high school students, target adults seeking to complete postsecondary credentials, and more.

JCC has felt strongly about several of these issues.  The College has long offered two free years of college tuition to secondary school students with demonstrated need through the College Incentive Program (Formerly CARE - Concerned Adults Responding Early).  This program is designed to provide both a motivation to students to complete their high school education and attend college, as well as assurance of funding assistance. 
JCC is currently developing a new entrepreneurship program to provide students the information they need to start and manage their own businesses. The College has received a grant of $39,590 from the State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth for curriculum development for a 12-18 credit hour program to provide students from a range of areas the skills they may need to start a new business.  This grant was received as part of a tech prep consortium partnership consisting of JCC, the Jackson County Intermediate School District, Hillsdale County Intermediate School District, and Lenawee Intermediate School District.  The program will be integrated with secondary educational programs, so students may begin their study in high school and then attend JCC to complete the program.  These courses will include a basic introduction to entrepreneurship, opportunity analysis, legal issues for small business, financial planning for small business, small business accounting, and planning the entrepreneurial venture.  JCC Dean of Occupational Education Joyce Lockman said plans are for the new program to start in Fall 2005, with additional courses in the future to create a certificate and associate degree program.

While high school students who complete their requirements are currently able to dual enroll and take college classes, the Commission report recommends expanding that program and implementing more incentives for collaboration between secondary and postsecondary institutions.  JCC currently has averaged about 300 dual-enrolled high school students, taking classes in a variety of areas.

The Commission also hopes to target more adults looking to complete their postsecondary education.  JCC, and community colleges in general, are excellent vehicles for adults returning to higher education because of their convenient locations, accessibility, affordability and scheduling.  At JCC, 68 percent of students are considered non-traditional, someone who is 25 years old or older.