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Morgan County Learning Center. Breaking down barriers to Higher Education for First Generation Students. The Importance of Education. Leads to Economic Development Creates Living Wages for a Well-Educated Workforce Population Becomes Less Dependent on Social Services
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Morgan County Learning Center Breaking down barriers to Higher Education for First Generation Students
The Importance of Education • Leads to Economic Development • Creates Living Wages for a Well-Educated Workforce • Population Becomes Less Dependent on Social Services • Increases tax revenue
Morgan County in Crisis • One of the lowest post-secondary completion rates in the state • Historically has the highest unemployment rate in the state due to loss of manufacturing and mining • Our workforce must be re-educated and re-trained with new skill sets for the emerging 21st Century economy in Ohio.
Morgan County’s Superhighway • There is no 4-lane highway in Morgan County • The World Wide Web is Our Superhighway • Essential Computer Skills • E-Commerce Economic Opportunities • Distance Learning at the Center • Cost effective delivery for Consortium members • Adequate broadband connectivity needed
Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville Grant • Written by community volunteers • Morgan County Commissioners received $25,000 • Commissioners matched the funds with $25,000 from Capital Improvement Funds • Appalachian Regional Commission contributed $25,000 • Genesis Healthcare System contributed $25,000
Other Major Donors • Local Jaycees & Kiwanis • American Electric Power • Citizens National Bank • First National Bank of McConnelsville • North Valley Bank • People’s National Bank • Morgan County CIC • Riverside Country Care Center • Jean Glenn, Washington State Board of Trustees • Morgan County Health Department
Additional Support • Future Builders • Tim Downs Remodeling • MIBA Bearings • Silverheels, Inc. • Dr. Barbara Murrell’s Primecare Office
An additional $25,000 may be available through the state budget. Approx. $165,000 has been raised for the renovation of the Morgan County Learning Center
Morgan County Learning Center • Classroom for 30 students • Computer Lab with accommodations for 15 computers • Student Lounge/Vending Area • Educational Display areas • One office
Morgan County Higher Education Consortium • Washington State Community College • Muskingum College • Zane State College • Ohio University – Athens • Ohio University – Zanesville • Hocking College • Marietta College
Breaking Down Barriers for First Generation College Students At the request of Washington State, representatives from the Consortium Institutions are working together in a true spirit of collaboration to find ways to offer courses and degree or certificate programs in Morgan County. They are putting aside concerns of territoriality and credit subsidy to help us in our economic recovery.
Current Offerings in Morgan County • Washington State is currently running a PN cohort, with planning underway for another to start in January, 2008. • Muskingum College currently offers coursework for our local school teachers to obtain their Master’s Degrees. • This Spring, Washington State will offer a certificate in Small Business Entrepreneurship. • Washington State has begun planning to offer a STNA-State tested Nursing Assistant Certificate program.
Community Education • Offering non-credit seminars and workshops • Generates operating revenue for the center • Does not require accreditation from Consortium Members, so can be scheduled independently. • Stress Management • Website Development • Belly Dancing • Eventually, computer classes and workshops
Other Partners • Ohio Learning Network • Jobs, etc., Workforce Development • Connect to Success
Future Planning • SUSTAINABILITY • Establishing a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation with local community members who believe in the value of higher education.
Morgan County Learning Center Located in the Morgan County Health Building, in front of East Elementary School. 4277 N. St. Rt. 376 NW McConnelsville, OH 43756 740-962-2079 Connie Shriver, Coordinator cshriver@wscc.edu