GCC considers adding new program

By CHARITY SMITH

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Ironwood — Gogebic Community College is considering three possible programs in search of adding one to enhance the school and utilize existing space at the Lindquist Center, according to college president George McNulty.

The board of trustees held a workshop to discuss the options on Thursday afternoon. The programs under consideration are outdoor education, occupational therapy assistant, and physical therapy assistant.

The outdoor recreational industry brought in $788 billion last year, according to David Darrow, vice president of academic services at GCC. He said, of the three programs, it would be the one he would recommend, because of the college’s “unique geographical location.”

“Very few people in the country can look outside and see bluffs, like we see. We’ve got a Great Lake just north of us. We’ve got great rivers. We have great ski hills. We have great terrain for cross country skiing, mounting biking, kayaking, and the list goes on,” Darrow said.

Darrow said there is a lot of governmental action to increase rural tourism and outdoor recreation. He said that according to a recent article he read, students all over the country have been “flocking” to outdoor education programs throughout the pandemic.

“A lot of (the outdoor education field) represents things that are already in our area. Things that we might not even think of, like power sports,” Darrow said.

There is some regional need for occupational and physical therapy assistants, but the college officials expressed concern that the workforce would quickly become saturated and graduates might have to look elsewhere for employment.

“There is a connection between OTA and PTA, and the workforce; but I would call it a weak connection because of the number of positions they actually have,” said Glen Ackerman-Behr, GCC director of workforce development. “If we have a program that was graduating 12 to 24 students per year, we could easily flood the market. That means we would be in the position to have to export them.”

Darrow said he wants to bring in a program that would offer students the opportunity to join the local workforce and not force them to leave because of lack of available employment. He said he is also looking for something that is expandable. All three programs, to a degree, meet those qualifications, Darrow said.

Darrow said he has been in contact with other colleges to inquire about possible affiliations for students to continue their education in the new programs. He said Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, is ready to work on articulation agreements.

The chosen program will be located in the Lindquist Center. McNulty said the college is looking at renovating the area where the pool used to be. The pool was closed in 2015 and the space has been dormant since.

McNulty questioned if there would be enough space available for the OTA or PTA program. “I don’t think that’s the best use of this space,” McNulty said, adding he would like to see a community wellness center developed in the front half of the pool area and the outdoor education area would be behind that.

McNulty said he is expecting to bring a recommendation to the college board by May. It is anticipated that the new program would be offered in Fall 2023.