Portman tours SSCC central campus

Candidate for U.S. Senate Robert Portman visited Southern State Community College's Central Campus in Hillsboro Friday to discuss with college officials the utilization and impact federal dollars have had on local campuses. 

Portman met with SSCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Ryan McCall; Nicole Roades, executive director of planning; John Joy, dean of corporate and community development; and SSCC board of trustee members Kay Ayres and Rory Ryan.

The former Second District Congressman (R-Terrace Park) said he has spent time talking to educators and administrators at several of Ohio's Community Colleges.

Portman said that community colleges will play a vital role in retraining America's workforce, which will help in the growing of the economy, and while he is on the campaign trail, he is trying to listen to the colleges' needs, especially when the federal government can play a role. 

Portman discussed with SSCC representatives the strict regulations on Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding, which requires students to have a two-year plan in place for their education and take a full load of courses related only to their degree, and allows for little change, even amid conflicts.

Roades said that she recently encountered a situation in which a student was 10-12 credit hours short of his degree/certificate, but a class he needed was not going to be offered in the college's next quarter.

"I was so shocked at how he was so willing to walk away," Roades said. The student, she said, was going to lose funding since a course he needed wasn't offered in that particular quarter. With some changes in his schedule, Roades said the situation was resolved and the student was able to stay in school. 

Portman said that if students use federal funds to attend school, but never achieve a certificate or degree, it is a waste of the funds as well as the student's time. Portman said there needs to be a way to make sure that more students who begin programs on WIA funds complete their studies. 

The group also discussed the need to funds for administration of these federal dollars. McCall said that, for example, phone calls have increased in the SSCC registrar's office by 180 percent, and by 156 percent in the financial aid office. SSCC is seeing a 30 percent increase in student enrollment every quarter, and a 40 percent increase in credit hours. It is estimated one-third to one-half of the new enrollment is related to workforce training. 

Portman said SSCC's partnerships with area One Stop agencies "is a model" for how that system can work, and that they are not as seamless in other areas of the state.

A discussion was also held on the importance of brining broadband access to the rural areas served by Southern State. 

"Broadband connectivity is essential in trying to expand education to undeserved populations," Roades said. 

Small businesses and budding entrepreneurs are also in need of broadband access. 

Joy said in addition to creating new jobs the state of Ohio needs to "retain the jobs we've got. We need to make sure these employers have all the resources they need - within reason - to keep those employees current (in training)."

Portman toured several SSCC classrooms, labs, and briefly spoke to a philosophy class. 

"We need to create a climate where the private sector can succeed," Portman said following the tour

Candidate for U.S. Senate Robert Portman visited Southern State Community College's Central Campus in Hillsboro Friday to discuss with college officials the utilization and impact federal dollars have had on local campuses. 

Portman met with SSCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Ryan McCall; Nicole Roades, executive director of planning; John Joy, dean of corporate and community development; and SSCC board of trustee members Kay Ayres and Rory Ryan.

The former Second District Congressman (R-Terrace Park) said he has spent time talking to educators and administrators at several of Ohio's Community Colleges.

Portman said that community colleges will play a vital role in retraining America's workforce, which will help in the growing of the economy, and while he is on the campaign trail, he is trying to listen to the colleges' needs, especially when the federal government can play a role. 

Portman discussed with SSCC representatives the strict regulations on Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding, which requires students to have a two-year plan in place for their education and take a full load of courses related only to their degree, and allows for little change, even amid conflicts.

Roades said that she recently encountered a situation in which a student was 10-12 credit hours short of his degree/certificate, but a class he needed was not going to be offered in the college's next quarter.

"I was so shocked at how he was so willing to walk away," Roades said. The student, she said, was going to lose funding since a course he needed wasn't offered in that particular quarter. With some changes in his schedule, Roades said the situation was resolved and the student was able to stay in school. 

Portman said that if students use federal funds to attend school, but never achieve a certificate or degree, it is a waste of the funds as well as the student's time. Portman said there needs to be a way to make sure that more students who begin programs on WIA funds complete their studies. 

The group also discussed the need to funds for administration of these federal dollars. McCall said that, for example, phone calls have increased in the SSCC registrar's office by 180 percent, and by 156 percent in the financial aid office. SSCC is seeing a 30 percent increase in student enrollment every quarter, and a 40 percent increase in credit hours. It is estimated one-third to one-half of the new enrollment is related to workforce training. 

Portman said SSCC's partnerships with area One Stop agencies "is a model" for how that system can work, and that they are not as seamless in other areas of the state.

A discussion was also held on the importance of brining broadband access to the rural areas served by Southern State. 

"Broadband connectivity is essential in trying to expand education to undeserved populations," Roades said. 

Small businesses and budding entrepreneurs are also in need of broadband access. 

Joy said in addition to creating new jobs the state of Ohio needs to "retain the jobs we've got. We need to make sure these employers have all the resources they need - within reason - to keep those employees current (in training)."

Portman toured several SSCC classrooms, labs, and briefly spoke to a philosophy class. 

"We need to create a climate where the private sector can succeed," Portman said following the tour.