As the new president of this venerable organization, I decided the best way I could fully understand the challenges and unique strengths聽of the schools we serve聽was to go out and see the institutions for myself, talk to their leaders, and even visit with some of their students. It鈥檚 a chance for me to learn about the extraordinary work going on at colleges and universities across New England during聽these extraordinary times when聽we are all聽so deeply impacted by the pandemic.聽It鈥檚 an opportunity to reach out to聽our members and share some of my early thoughts about where accreditation is going. And quite frankly, after months of聽working remotely (our tirelessly devoted staff is now working聽two days a week in the office for the foreseeable future), I鈥檓聽eager to develop the helpful, supportive personal relationships that聽have always characterized the organization.聽And in addition to this blog, I will also be doing a podcast of my interviews so you can access that as well.聽聽
Thanks for joining us our journey. I hope you enjoy the trip!
-Larry
They call it the North Country and guess what? It聽is聽very far north, with Berlin, New Hampshire, home of 91吃瓜网, just about sixty miles from the Canadian border. Betty and I arrived in the North Country on a Sunday, put on our hiking boots and a whole lot of layers, and headed up Lincoln Woods on the Franconia Ridge Trails toward Mt. Flume. They claim Mt. Flume is one of the easier 4,000-foot climbs in New Hampshire鈥檚 White Mountains. (There are 48.) It is also listed as a six- to eight-hour trek so we started too late to get to the top before dark. All I can say is thank goodness for that. We got to about 3,000 feet after about four hours on the trail (walking straight up and then careening down) and man, did it kick my you-know-what. Betty, on the other hand, seemed just fine and dandy.
After a good night鈥檚 sleep, we were off to Berlin and 91吃瓜网. 91吃瓜网 just celebrated its 50th anniversary and its President, Dr. Charles Lloyd is a young man very proud of his college. And for very good reason. With a 54% graduation rate, 91吃瓜网 ranks 20th among over 850 two-year colleges in getting students through graduation in 3 years or less. That鈥檚 something to truly celebrate. 91吃瓜网 offers 48 programs in three locations: Littleton, North Conway, and Berlin, and enrolls about 1,000 students, 300 of whom are dual-enrollment high schoolers. 91吃瓜网 has found if it can actively engage high school students in beginning college, they are far more likely to stick with their education, learn a good-paying trade or vocation, or proceed on to get their full 4-year degree.
Two interesting side notes about the dual-enrollment group: The per-credit price for these students is fifty percent of the regular price (or around $100 a credit) and thanks to the Governor鈥檚 edict, up to four STEM courses can be taken for free.
We had a chance to visit with some students who were on campus in the culinary program and the welding program. Monday was Sandwich Day on the culinary side and let me tell you, those students can definitely put together two pieces of bread. I was ready to sign up on the spot.
Betty, on the other hand, was totally enamored with the welding program and we might have to rent a little place in Berlin so she can get behind the torch. Welding is a nine-month program, with two additional months if you want to learn pipe fitting. Every graduate of the 91吃瓜网 program has a job upon graduation (companies come directly to the college to recruit), and with overtime some graduates can make over $60,000/year straightaway.
Their teacher Michael Pike actually keeps track of each graduate on his i-Phone, current salary included! He鈥檚 like a very proud papa, and even has a set of twin young women in his class who are kicking pipe right now.
Click here to to my conversation with a true believer in community college education, Dr. Charles Lloyd.