KIRKWOOD REGIONAL CENTER - WASHINGTON COUNTY
OPENING
FALL 2014
YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR COLLEGE.
Today’s global economy has forced significant changes in the way
we deliver education. Nearly 70 percent of all new jobs require
training beyond high school. Secondary and post-secondary
institutions need to work together, now more than ever, to ensure
seamless college and career transitions for students.
Given this current outlook, Kirkwood, K-12 school districts and
industry partners must strategically align to create a
viable, educated workforce to sustain the competitive
advantage and quality of life in our region.
LINN
MAIN
CAMPUS
JOHNSON
WASHINGTON
JONES
The broad scope of the courses offered within
the walls of Kirkwood’s new regional centers
will make education more accessible to
everyone, from high school students
up through adults who might need
certification for a promotion or a
whole new career.
Kirkwood’s industry
partners provided thoughtful
input for the classes to be
offered at each location. With
their help, training programs
offered will directly feed
employment needs of
specific regions.
By adding hands-on
TECHNICAL
instruction at
Kirkwood’s regional
centers, high school
students graduate
better PREPARED
for college and,
eventually, their careers.
Kirkwood Regional Center – Washington County
Lexington Boulevard, Washington, Iowa
With global vision and innovative curriculum,
Kirkwood is redefining the role of the community
college. That vision is reaching far beyond its
growing main campus in Cedar Rapids. The
Washington County Regional Center is a long-term
educational investment for the southern
Kirkwood region offering traditional college
programming as well as:
• Innovative, high tech career academies
with industry recognized certifications.
• General Liberal Arts and Science transfer courses.
• College readiness assessment, placement
exams, National Career Readiness Certification.
• Writing lab, developmental math emporium,
test center and tutor center.
• Financial aid services, academic advising,
and career counseling services.
• GED/High School Completion.
• ESL/Adult Literacy Tutor and Programming.
• Continuing Education courses and
Industry Training.
Students in many of Kirkwood’s career academies
EARN CERTIFICATIONS that can
lead to EMPLOYMENT. For example,
students who complete the Patient Care Academy
are eligible to take the Nurse Aid Certification
Exam to become CNAs.
Career Academy Benefits
Kirkwood’s unique cooperation with area school districts puts high school
students in hands-on technical programs using industry aligned curriculum.
Through this partnership, highly technical state-of-the-art labs were created to
train students in areas that lead to high-skill, high-wage career opportunities.
Students earn both high school and college credit at NO COST to their
families, and more importantly, explore specific career fields to help
them make important decisions about their future. In many cases, career
academies allow high school students a jump start on an applied science
diploma, degree or technical certificate at Kirkwood.
Several arts and science academy classes are available to high school
students at the regional center, as well. These fully-transferable credits
also fulfill college and high school requirements, and can save students a
significant amount of money in college tuition costs.
School District Partners - Washington County
Highland
Keota
Lone Tree
Mid-Prairie
Waco
Washington
Winfield-Mt. Union
Academies offered at the Washington County
Regional Center *Denotes a STEM-based program.
• Advanced Manufacturing*
with American Welding Society MIG Welder qualification and National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) machining certificate
• Architecture & Construction Management*
• Arts & Sciences*
• Criminal Justice
• Industrial Maintenance/Energy*
• Emergency Medical Services*
with EMTB Certification
• Graphics & Media Communications*
• Information Technology*
with A+ Certification
• Patient Care*
with OSHA, HIIPA, First Aid/CPR and Nurse Aid Certification
• Project Lead the Way: PTE (Pathway to Engineering)*
• Transportation*
with Snap-on Shopkey, Meter, and Ethos Scan tool Certifications
START HERE.
GO ANYWHERE!
Kirkwood
meets you
where you are,
with workforce
training,
certification,
transfer credit or
a full associate
degree. The
possibilities
are endless!
PROOF IN
NUMBERS
According to a recent Iowa State
University study that focused on
direct from high school students
who had earned college credit
while still in high school:
72% of entering students who
were Iowa residents already had college credit.
•
Early college credit students had
higher GPAs, better retention, higher graduation rates and
changed their majors less than those who did not t ake college credit in high school.
•
Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities
College credit for high school students is not limited to the Kirkwood
regional centers. Kirkwood continues to partner with area school
districts for other concurrent enrollment opportunities within the walls
of each high school.
Kirkwood’s concurrent enrollment options are accredited
by National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships
(NACEP), a national peer-reviewed accrediting body that
safeguards the quality of concurrent enrollment options.
To earn accreditation from NACEP, Kirkwood was judged on criteria
such as instructor preparation and qualifications, curriculum alignment,
student services, assessment and evaluation.
Early college credit students
added minors and second majors
more frequently.
•
• The
amount of credit didn’t affect success. In other words, one
class or 10, any amount of
college credit taken in high
school better p
repared students
for future educational success.
For more information call 319-653-4655 or go to www.kirkwood.edu/regionalcenters