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Welcome to the OC Review! Our focus is to bring you the latest news, updates and changes taking place at the college that impact you and the local community. We look forward to hearing your feedback.
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2/11/2010
A new bachelor’s of science in Mechanical Engineering in development by Washington State University, and funded in part by OC, is one step closer to reality. WSU has agreed to offer the degree at OC and begin preparing for classes in August 2010 (WSU's fall semester). OC is contracting with WSU to offer the program. As part of the state legislature’s goal to increase four-year degree options, OC received funding to work with a university that could bring a four-degree to the community college. The Higher Education Coordinating Board must review and approve the new OC-WSU degree option. The HEC Board will review the request at its March meeting.
Olympic College was recently notified that it can now offer four-year degrees as part of its mission! The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the accrediting body for two-year and four-year institutions in the region, awarded the new status to OC in January. Olympic College will continue to operate as a community college, offering open access to residents in Kitsap and Mason counties. The new accreditation will mean OC can now offer four-year degrees in addition to two-year degrees. Currently, OC has a bachelor’s of science in Nursing. The institution will begin exploring new programs that will meet local needs and continue working with universities on other four-year opportunities. 2/10/2010
The word is out: community colleges are in. Oprah.com recently reported that community colleges are one of the 100 ways that the U.S. is getting better. The American Association of Community Colleges reports that nearly every states’ enrollment is going up – including at OC, which has been increasing every quarter since fall 2008. With two-year college tuition a bargain (OC is about $3,900 for the year), more funding is on the way to support community colleges. President Obama has pledged $12 billion to strengthen them over the next decade.
Dr. Bob Abel, who teaches applied physics at OC, worked with University of Washington researchers to map the universe during his fall 2009 sabbatical. The UW project, called the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, is gathering data and creating a three-dimensional map made up of the planets, stars and other celestial bodies. The survey is using powerful telescopes to monitor light, distance and the chemical makeup of the universe. Bob plans to continue working with the UW team over the next several years on the project.
The Olympic College Foundation is currently seeking community members interested in attending or serving as table hosts at the 2010 Community Luncheon on Columbus Day, October 11, 2010. This is the premier event for the Foundation’s annual campaign in support of students and programs at OC. The Community Luncheon attracts more than 400 people including local business associates, community leaders, and interested community members. The generous donations raised at this event provide quality education at an affordable cost for OC students. For more information, please contact 360.475.7120 or foundation@olympic.edu.
A marketing champion, a business leader, a retired drama instructor, OC Foundation board members
Shannon Childs, Duane Edwards and Bill Harvey are committed to serving the Olympic College Foundation as board members. In their role, they help oversee Foundation funds, attract dollars, and award OC scholarships and money to special projects. To them, it’s an inspiring position because they get to help the college and its students. But who are Duane, Shannon and Bill and how are they OC?
Shannon Childs serves as first vice president of the Foundation Board and thoroughly enjoys awarding OC student scholarships. She has spent the last six years as senior vice president and marketing director of Kitsap Bank. She has worked for the U.S. House of Representatives and for 18 years as an investment broker. She left the broker position to help her husband build their house. Shannon painted the house’s exterior, helped lay the wood floors, and installed tile. “Building your own home teaches you a great deal about yourself—and your spouse. I thought we could do anything – and we almost did (get there),” said Shannon.
Duane Edwards is chair of the Foundation Board’s audit committee. He is also a senior vice president and area manager of Frontier Bank and regularly participates on community boards. In addition to banking, he has had a colorful career working as a commercial fisherman and owner of a bike shop. He is an avid boater and bicycler. His most inspirational experience with OC has been giving out Foundation scholarships to students.
Bill Harvey has been a member of the Foundation Board for 10 years and has been most pleased by the growth of the endowment fund, which now stands at $7 million. As a former OC instructor in theater and humanities for 36 years, Bill loved his job. “When I got to OC, I found out how lucky I was to find my place early and not have to worry about what wanted I to do,” he said. Bill’s talents won him awards for his work with the American College Theater Festival, the Northwest Drama Conference, and a Washington state humanities award. Now retired, he still brings his talents to OC through the Foundation.
KPS Health Plans, a health insurance company based in Bremerton, hired OC to develop leadership and lean training for its employees. The leadership training will help prepare succession planning for the organization. Lean training focuses on improving customer value while minimizing the use of resources. The efforts are expected to empower staff, increase efficiencies, deliver better and faster results to customers, and decrease operational costs. The state Job Skills Program grant, which is designed to increase job growth and opportunities, is funding a portion of the KPS Health Plans training. For more information about customized business training or the JSP grant, contact 360.475.7786. 11/17/2009
 Community volunteer, future Doctor, OC student
Kyra Nathan knew her life’s path at six years old – she wanted to study medicine and work in obstetrics and gynecology. Her career path started after a conversation between Kyra and her mother: her mom told Kyra that she was going to see a "boy doctor" for an appointment. From that point on, Kyra wanted to give women the option to see a female doctor in addition to a male one. Over time, she also became more interested in the development of babies and wanted to educate women on how to take care of their bodies and their babies.
When she got older, she recognized Olympic College could prepare her to study medicine and go in to her chosen field. "I felt (OC) would help me transition into a four year university, with a strong academic foundation. Both my brother and father graduated from OC and are very successful."
While at OC, she has already had her eye on a program at the University of Washington called Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology and has been taking classes to prepare her for the admissions requirements. So what does Kyra do in addition to attending classes full-time at OC? She works two jobs, attends church, and volunteers in the community.
After she graduates from medical school, she plans to come back to the community where she grew up. She has lived in Kitsap her entire life and wants to give back to the community that has given so much to her.
Read Kyra's complete story online at www.olympic.edu/IAMOC.
The college is working with Washington State University to partner on the last two years of a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. A degree could possibly be offered as early as Fall 2010. OC and WSU have been working together to develop a bachelor’s degree that would serve the needs of local communities. The Kitsap Sun wrote about early discussions with WSU. Visit http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/sep/11/wsu-officials-visit-bremerton-check-out-olympic/ to read more.
More than 355 community members and OC instructors met last year to assess college professional-technical programs. Each of the 25 Professional-Technical Advisory Committees discussed program review (course work, program, and equipment and facilities), program promotion, and job preparation (guest speaker presentations, mock interviews, reviewing business plans,and job shadowing). Advisory committees provide valuable insight to keep programs current and informed of employer needs. For more info on advisory committees, contact 360.475.7484. |
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