GCC works toward new strategic plan

By MEGAN HUGHES

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — At its Tuesday evening meeting, the Board of Trustees for Gogebic Community College heard a report from its strategic planning team regarding various aspects of the college and also approved the hiring of several faculty.

According to a press release from the college following the meeting, the strategic planning team was created in 2023 to represent all facets of the college. Throughout the course of the year, the team reviewed the college’s mission, vision and core values, receiving feedback from the community.

According to the release, that feedback was used to create the goals and framework for the next strategic plan, which was formally presented at Tuesday’s meeting.

The three main goals for that plan are as follows: Enhance student experience, expand academic programming and services, and increase the community and campus experience.

“We have been impressed with the high energy and participation in building this new strategic plan,” said Miranda Heglund, the college’s institutional researcher and one of the strategic plan leaders. “With new leadership and the continued support and collaboration from all staff and this community, we feel that we will achieve bigger and better things and move GCC forward to better serve our students and this community.”

GCC will work to reach its new strategic plan goals over the next three years.

During the meeting, the board also discussed Board Policy Series 411, which standardizes the definition of “senior citizen” across campus for purposes of taking courses. The policy clarifies that senior citizens, adults aged 62 or older, who live in Gogebic County may take GCC credit courses tuition-free provided that there is space available.

Additionally, it reads, “Seniors who live outside Gogebic County may take GCC credit courses for the difference between the in-district and out-of-district or out-of-state rates. All seniors are required to pay relevant institutional and course fees, purchase course textbooks and classroom supplies, and adhere to customary academic expectations.”

The board also voted to approve the consortium program pricing for the MRI, medical assistant and surgical tech programs as presented. These programs are run through the Michigan Workforce Training and Education Collaborative. Students taking the consortium programs can take general education courses through GCC at their tuition rates. The tuition for consortium-based classes is $210 per credit, not including lab fees.

Leah Hagen-Harris of Bergland was approved as student success and engagement coordinator. According to the press release, Hagen-Harris has been employed at GCC singe 2019 in various capacities and currently serves as the director of student support services, and will begin the transition to her new role no later than the end of September.

Gillian Van Treese of Waukesha, Wisconsin, was hired as the new English Instructor for the Houghton campus. Van Treese holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in English Pedagogy from Northern Michigan University and comes to GCC from teaching at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee-Waukesha campus. She began her duties on Aug. 26.

The board also heard the following list of notable dates as the school year kicks into gear:

— Sept. 2: Labor Day (no classes and college closed).

— Sept. 4: Samsonfest cookout for students at Ironwood from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

— Sept. 4: GCC Volleyball vs Vermillion at the Lindquist Student and Conference Center at 6 p.m.

— Sept. 11: GCC volleyball vs Hibbing at the Lindquist Center at 6 p.m.

— Sept. 18: GCC volleyball vs Mesabi Range at the Lindquist Center at 6 p.m.

— Sept. 24-25: GCC and Gogebic Ontonagon Intermediate School District career trades expo on GCC Campus in Ironwood.

In other news, the board:

— Heard the president’s update.

— Heard and approved the financial reports as presented.

— Heard the vice president update.

— Heard the Houghton update.