REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Klamath-Trinity Education Master Plan Advisory Committee
Meeting Location: KTIS Education Building, Classroom #1
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Summary Notes
Present: Andy Andreoli, Sally Biggin, Willa Briggs, Sue Burcell, Jolene Gates, Utpal Goswami,
Angelina Hill, Anita Janis, Elizabeth Leach, Greg Masten, Peter Masten, Roxanne Metz, Sydney
Norton, Melissa Ruiz, Rose Sylvia, and Bari Talley
Dr. Goswami began the meeting with a brief welcome, and those present introduced themselves.
Roxanne Metz provided a brief process update and summarized the previous meeting. Roxanne
reviewed the themes from the June 14, 2011 meeting and explained that the themes from the
Southern Humboldt (SoHum), 101 Corridor, and Klamath Trinity Instructional Program (KTIS)
advisory committees were reviewed by CR’s Education Master Plan Committee, which
developed initial recommendations.
In some areas access to technology is limited, and at KTIS there is only one small computer lab.
When it is used for classes, the general public does not have ready access to computers. The
KTIS site now has WiFi in the immediate location. Indications are that general training on
computer use is needed. (As a note, training for use of specific software, such as Publisher,
Excel or Outlook, for various work environments may be needed as well.)
Several suggestions were made related to Native American and community entrepreneurship.
Would a business incubator be helpful? Small business training offerings are available through
the Small Business Administration Office in Humboldt County and through a small office in Del
Norte County, but there is a need for specific local training.
The Tribal Management Certificate that HSU offers meets the needs of tribal and non-tribal
managers. What can CR contribute to the mix?
The Targets of Opportunity industry clusters may provide some direction to the development of
courses and/or training in the Trinity Valley area, but the specific training needs related to the
targets is not clear.
It was suggested that CR/KTIS consider partnering with “really big players” to develop access to
more resources to benefit the site and the community. There has been great benefit resulting
from grants awarded in the Orleans community from major sources.
The college and the community need to work more at building bridges from the local high
schools to CR to Humboldt State University. The early college high school model should be
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investigated. It is important to maximize opportunities for students to transfer to four-year
institutions.
Cultural relevance and its importance were emphasized again. The content and curriculum need
to be culturally relevant. Faculty must also be aware of and sensitive to various aspects of the
local culture in the classroom experiences.
It was suggested that we look at cultural enhancement here, perhaps putting an emphasis on
native languages, tribal governance and more. The existence and effect of Humboldt State
University’s Tribal Management Certificate program was noted. Several of the Tribe’s
employees have earned their certificates, which have enhanced the Tribe’s governance
processes.
Dr. Goswami suggested that obtaining a major grant would enable CR to address some of these
areas. However, under the present budget constraints without grant funds to support expanding
into several of these areas, the need would still exist. Jolene Gates pointed out that the Tribe will
be applying for another Perkins Grant to fund the Hoopa Career and Technical Education
Program (HCATEP) but that it may not be funded again. She asked if CR had thought about
how not having the Perkins funds would affect CR’s programming and services at the Klamath
Trinity Instructional Site.
Input from Community Members
The question was raised as to how KTIS can support local business needs. It was suggested that
contract training might be a good option. A general needs assessment would help identify
specific and common needs. Perhaps CR’s Training staff Julia Peterson could assist in this area.
The connection with Hoopa High School is extremely important, and more needs to be done to
strengthen the college’s relationship with the local high school. In addition, it was noted that
today’s high school students are very familiar with technology. Its use in a learning
environment would be comfortable for recent high school graduates. For those who have been
out of the technology evolution, classes in computer use basics would be useful in helping them
transition to a technology inclusive learning environment.
KTIS staff would like to broaden the students’ exposure to lab science classes, which have been
very limited. In the past, because the KTIS location has no science lab, CR had used Hoopa
High School’s science lab for its lab science classes. Microscopes were purchased by the
HCATEP grant and are currently stored at the KT education building. It was noted that CR
cannot access and use the high school’s science lab during the public school day. Any lab
science classes CR KTIS offers at the high school would need to be scheduled after the high
school day concludes, in the late afternoon or evening or possibly weekends.
Greg Masten talked about the Tribal Education Department’s strategic plan which also addresses
facilities’ needs. A grant application to support the plan was not funded. The plan would have
included a lecture hall with 100 seats and a stage as well as facilities for training. The budget
was just under $1M. Right now the HCATEP staff is in a different building than the education
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building. The plan also included additional space to accommodate technology, space for a
student commons area (a gathering space) with the hope that this would help better bridge the
transition between the high school and the CR/KTIS. It was mentioned that no science lab was
included in the plan.
It was agreed that there is a need to collect data on the capacity and use of the KTIS buildings
and classrooms. The next Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between CR and the Hoopa
Valley Tribe should be developed using that data. Perhaps the next MOA between CR and the
Tribe can include furniture and seating needs as well.
Greg Masten suggested adding another theme. He identified that right now with the HCATEP
grant in place, KTIS has a very good student support services, but he wants to see that same level
of service even if the grant is not renewed. It is also important to consciously create a college
going culture long before children are in high school.
Bari Talley, who has been instrumental in getting technology to the Community Center in
Orleans, mentioned that having computers and teleconference capabilities will allow them to
start offering virtual field trips to state park. The center also has WiFi and twelve new
computers. However, they have lost some funding recently. They are waiting to hear from
DOL about a grant application CR helped support. They hope to engage in more teleconference
opportunities w/CR.
Bari would like to be able to offer CR classes in basic English and math, computer skills and
remedial studies. Dr. Goswami suggested that perhaps Hoopa could originate on-line classes to
serve the Orleans and Happy Camp communities. He added that natural resources offerings
might have some appeal.
Ki’maw’a Medical Clinic needs medical terminology taught. Two of the clinic’s staff
completed the Medical Assisting program. They need employee education, training in computer
skills and would like students to be able to check out equipment. Older employees especially
need to learn computing. Some Hoopa High School would benefit from taking a medical
terminology class while they are in high school. HHS still has ROP there. Under the old ROP a
teacher was hired to teach three technology classes and the rest of the person’s day was spent
addressing the school’s tech needs.
They would also like to have EMT training offered. They believe the high school students don’t
know of this career option. Roxanne Metz mentioned that the paramedic program is offered by
CR in McKinleyville on Fridays and Saturdays.
A good percentage of Hoopa High School students go to a four-year university. Perceptions
about CR and the KTIS need to be improved in order to present a viable alternative for collegbound students and build a college-going culture for the community. . Developing an I’m Going
to College Day would encourage youth to see college, CR specifically, as an option. Some HHS
teachers went to CR for their first college classes and credit this site with their presence at HHS.
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KT has attempted to work with a cohort between Hoopa High School and CR. It is more
challenging now as KT is not able to offer as many classes. It is important that emphasis be put
on English and math.
Discussion of Next Steps
Associate art faculty Willa Briggs mentioned that entrepreneurship offerings for student artists
and local community artists would be helpful. The Nor-Cal Art Club now has a link between
the students here and at HSU as some of the KTIS art graduates are attending HSU and have
promoted this venture. Greg Masten encouraged the development of entrepreneurial projects and
partnerships looking at areas like studio art, sculpting, basket weaving, wearable art,
printmaking, painting, pastels, etc. Professor Briggs said the KTIS art students currently have a
show of the prints they made during the Labor Day weekend printing workshop. These prints
are used to produce the calendars that are printed at CR Eureka’s Campus. Willa Briggs also
said KTIS is developing a permanent art collection and currently has pieces donated by Lynn
Risling, Julianne Lang and master printmaker, Frank Janzen.
It was suggested that the high school’s wood and metal shops might provide additional media
forms for art students. Student work could be exhibited in a student lounge when that is in place.
There is a local grassroots movement and lots of energy around art.
Developing a feasibility study and a marketing plan with the help of the Northcoast Small
Business Development Center in Eureka would help bring all the parts together—the high
school, KTIS and local artists should be involved in a project of this sort. Bari Talley asked if it
would be possible to offer an entrepreneurship programs at Orleans.
Angelina Hill, CR’s Institutional Research Department, can provide basic skills data and share
that with KTIS staff.
Greg Masten said that the Indian Policies & Procedures annual report can provide additional
information about trends and can provide some insight into assessing strategies.
In Hoopa, the needs are different and unique. The majority of the students here are returning
students. Many need GED prep programming. Additional issues often include substance abuse
and need for or involvement in rehab programs, the number of high school drop outs and limited
resources available to help the many affected individuals move forward. On-line distance classes
present difficulties for people in this region because of connectivity issues and lack of access to
technology when the KTIS computer lab is being used for classes or after the campus closes for
the day.
Additional needs for computer training and manager/management training for the Tribal Council
and others in the community were identified by Peter Masten. It was suggested that this training
be a part of a community education initiative that CR offers in the Trinity Valley.
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