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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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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
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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.
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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
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
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