Clinton Herald, IA
04-10-06
Clinton Community College benefits everyone
By Susan Davis
Special to the Herald
My family moved back to Iowa six years ago. We moved for my husband’s
business and to be closer to our parents.
I gave up a career managing the University of Wisconsin– Platteville Center for
the Arts, left my friends and colleagues and stayed home for two years with my
third child. It was difficult having a new baby and trying to connect to the
community. When I received the Clinton Community College continuing
education schedule of classes, I learned a great deal about the community and I
met some very interesting people.
At that time I also took courses from CCC online to keep my skills up-to-date.
Online learning is successful; however, I have found that while people learn
when they connect via the web the best learning moments happen when people
connect with people.
CCC truly is skilled at connecting the citizens of Clinton County with each other
and with the world. The college successfully serves the ever changing needs of a
vast array of students. The college works closely with area organizations to
create community events such as Bald Eagle Day and the B-rrry Scurry. And it
fulfills the needs of business and industry with Mechatronics and job training
programs.
When I became the education director for Clinton County Agricultural Extension,
we built on the college partnership to provide research-based learning
opportunities. CCC has provided Extension with satellites for national speakers
to educate child care providers, facilities to conduct generational diversity
trainings for social service agencies and registration for youth camps at the
Bickelhaupt Arboretum.
“Horticulture in the Heartland” was a successful collaboration of Clinton Trees
Forever, the arboretum, Extension and CCC. The event educated 170 people.
The economic impact was tourism dollars. In addition, studies indicate that those
who attend workshops such as “Horticulture in the Heartland” are likely to spend
three times as much on gardening as the average person, a benefit to the
community.
I also visit with local manufacturers to provide them with up-to-date information
from the Center for Industrial Research and Service, a component of ISU
Extension. There is a strong alliance between CIRAS and the community college.
CIRAS staff from ISU are placed at community college campuses. CIRAS
realizes it is important for citizens to realize the valuable asset we have in our
state’s community and technical colleges, which are strategically placed to create
new opportunities for students and their communities.
In addition to the valuable skills they provide to future workers through credit
programs, the community colleges also offer new and incumbent workers training
programs that help build the skills necessary for successful competition in a
global economy.
Whether through work or home the community college connection is present. My
most recent babysitter took sufficient courses at the community college to begin
her four-year degree education with her first year completed. For students who
invest in higher education, gains in long-term earnings far outweigh the costs.
Associate degree holders earn, on average, $6,600 per year more than high
school diploma holders, and enjoy 30 percent lower unemployment rates (U.S.
Department of Labor).
CCC reaches everyone. Even if you have never set foot on the campus you are
benefiting from the education, programming, and training CCC provides. The real
impact is more complex than simple numbers; it reaches into workplaces,
neighborhoods and homes. Individual lives are improved socially and
educationally, and taxpayers benefit from a healthier economy and lower social
costs.
Susan Davis is the education director for Iowa State University Extension,
Clinton County.