O’NEILL, Neb. – The Northeast Community College Board of Governors met Thursday here in O’Neill, reviewing current offerings and learning more about the needs of the community.
Board members usually meet in Norfolk for their monthly meetings, but try to hold at least one meeting each year at the extended campuses in O’Neill, South Sioux City and West Point. Part of Thursday’s meeting included a presentation on the current offerings in O’Neill.
The meeting concluded with a late afternoon, small-table discussion with community representatives and leaders to discuss needs and ways Northeast may be able to help meet those needs.
Merri Schneider, director of the O’Neill Extended Campus, began the meeting Thursday morning by giving a presentation highlighting some of the O’Neill offerings.
Amber Marcellus, regional coordinator for the Nebraska Math Readiness Project, discussed the operations of the math readiness project in O’Neill.
Northeast is one of four community colleges in the state participating in the math readiness project, which aims to get more students ready for college level mathematics. The Nebraska Math Readiness Project is funded by grants and offered to students at no cost.
Another topic was Friday Classes in O’Neill. Schneider said about 50 high school students from nine school districts attend the classes, with districts spanning from Neligh to Bassett. Courses are offered in such areas as general biology, building construction, nurse aide, medication aide, residential blueprint reading and welding.
Improvements have been made at the O’Neill campus recently, including two more welding booths, bringing the total number to 10. Still, there can be waiting lists for welding classes.
Paola Watson, English as a Second Language instructor at the O’Neill campus, said the popularity of ESL classes has grown from one student a couple of years ago when it began to 20 students who register now. There currently are 16 students.
Watson said word of mouth has helped to increase the ESL numbers, but with many of the students and families relocating, numbers fluctuate. It is amazing to see how people sometimes come into classes not knowing a word of English, then are able to have everyday conversations in English when they are finished.
The ESL classes help give the students confidence. Watson commended the students for making the effort to learn English, pointing out that learning another language is a challenge.
Key annual events with the campus were discussed, including a Health Conference that has been occurring for more than 25 years. Other events include Early College Exploration Day, a Weld Off competition, Niobrara Valley Conference Quiz Bowl and more.
The small group discussions included a variety of community members, with at least 50 people participating. Input was provided on a range of topics from job training to retaining young people. Participants were asked to answer the following questions:
- What are the strengths of Northeast?
- What do we value?
- What significant threats or challenges do you anticipate that could impact Northeast’s success?
- How do you envision the organization’s future in the next 5-10 years? What is the same? What looks different?
- What are the top three strategic priorities that you believe Northeast should focus on?
The information that was shared is being compiled and will be used to help shape policy.
O’Neill meeting
Merri Schneider (standing, left), director of the O’Neill Extended Campus, introduces some of the staff at O’Neill to the Northeast Community College Board of Directors during a meeting on Thursday, April 10, at O’Neill. (Northeast Community College)
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