1. Innovative Models for Effective Collaboration between Universities and Community Colleges
Presented by:
Hesham Ali
Department of Computer Science
College of Information Science & Technology
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Michele O’Connor
Educational Services
Math, Science and Health Careers
Metropolitan Community College

2. Objectives For This Session
Motivate audience to increase level of collaboration
Identify advantages and challenges of collaboration
Present different collaborative models along with working examples from UNO – MCC partnership
Discuss features of different models to choose best-fit model for given circumstances

3. What is Collaboration?
Dictionary definition: “To work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort.”1.
Joining together efforts for a mutual goal
Mutually beneficial and mutually respectful
a win-win situation
Two levels of collaboration
Simple Models – one activity at a time
Complex Models – multiple activities with common goal and objectives
1.Dictionary.com,< accessed 1 April, 2005.

4. Why the Need for Collaboration?
Institutions have to do more with less
New initiatives are necessary for healthy growth
Institutions operate in competitive environments and have need for allies
Greater chance of acquiring funding with collaborative efforts
Different perspectives from collaboration are more likely to lead to innovations

5. Benefits Of Effective Collaboration
Enhance opportunities for students and faculty at both institutions
Increased interaction between faculty leads to greater degree of creativity
Better preparation for students to transition from community college to university
Complimentary goals with minor conflicts
Maximizes strengths and increases resources at both institutions
Encourages faculty to work collaboratively with colleagues outside of their institution
Breaks down misperceptions that may exist between the two institutions as a result of enhanced communication

6. Challenges Of Collaboration
Different cultures at the university and the community college
From student perspective
From administrative/faculty perspective
Lack of sufficient funding for implementing collaborative activities
Finding time and willing participants
“Breaking down the walls”
Outcome difficult to quantify sometimes
Results not always seen immediately

7. Taking A Strategic Approach
Many models of collaboration exist each with its benefits and challenges
Perfect model may not be attainable in one step; may have to be implemented in stages
Not all activities require significant funding
Can build upon existing structure and grow gradually
Identify appropriate model for current circumstances and strategic goals

8. Models for Collaboration
Simple models
Complex models

9. Simple Models Comprised of one or few related activities
Easier to implement
May not require additional or special funding
Leads to expansion of new opportunities for growth at both institutions

10. Simple Model 1: Articulation At The Course Level
First step towards larger scale articulation
Increases a student’s ability to transfer effectively between institutions
Requires and encourages collaboration and communication between faculty and academic departments at both institutions

11. Simple Model 2: Articulation At The Program Level
More challenging to implement
Requires higher level of coordination
More people involved to accomplish
A to B – getting Associates Degree then Bachelors
MCC crafted previous general education coursework to create six new degree options designed to meet degree requirements at UNO
Pre-Biology Pre-Chemistry Pre-Biotechnology
Pre-Mathematics Pre-Physics Pre-Bioinformatics

12. Articulation At The Program Level, cont.
Allows students to transition from community college to university with sense of completion and accomplishment
Complementing versus competing course scheduling

13. Simple Model 3: Professional Certification
Community colleges are often better prepared for providing training programs
University labs often have more advanced labs
Example: Cisco certification for UNO and MCC students
lab is located at UNO
course instruction provided by an MCC certified instructor
Students from both institutes take the training: MCC students take it as an MCC course while UNO students take it as a lab component of an existing course

14. Other Examples of Simple Models
Shared funding of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA’s)
Mentoring programs for students and faculty
Coordinated advising
Shared resources

15. Complex Models
A number of activities bundled together to achieve a common goal with a set of specific objectives
Require external funding; funding at state, foundation, or federal level
Number of awards are increasing and becoming more accessible
Require even higher degree of coordination, planning and implementation at various levels

16. Complex Model 1: TELCEDS
Technology Enhanced, Learner-Centered Student Delivery Systems
State funded grant to facilitate sharing resources and provide a smooth transition from MCC to UNO
Develop several articulated online courses at the sophomore and junior level and make them available to all CC students
Joint seminars for students and faculty
Online real-time advising
Utilize joint resources to provide students at both institutes certification opportunities

17. Complex Model 2: NSF STEP
“UNO and MCC STEPping Together”
Awarded in May, 2004 with one singular purpose: To recruit, retain and increase the number of students pursing and obtaining STEM degrees by strengthening the collaboration between UNO and MCC.
The grant supports expansion and adaptation of currently successful activities within and between the two institutions as well as the implementation of new activities.

18. A New Dance…the 5-STEP
Develop agreements for the articulation of complete programs of study
Attract and retain students through the use of scholarships, particularly under-represented and non-traditional students
Improve the quality and access to experimental education opportunities and student support services
Expand diversity and incorporate new STEM degree/certificate options
Increase outreach and recruitment acuities

19. Scholarships
One option offered to under-represented students entering UNO as new freshman
Another option offered to Adult Learners, students transferring into UNO declaring a STEM degree option
A third option offered at MCC to cover the last 30 hours of completion of an Associate degree
A fourth option called “Bridge Scholarship” offered to MCC STEM graduates who continue their education at UNO in pursuit of a 4-year STEM degree.

20. Experiential Education Opportunities and Student Support Services
Early undergraduate research opportunities at UNO
Career exploration opportunities of STEM areas at MCC
Student mentoring programs
linking STEM students with internal and external professionals
Math and science center tutoring and remediation at both institutions

21. Recruitment and Outreach
New STEM discipline outreach coordinator to coordinate efforts for both MCC and UNO
Centralizes creation of all promotional materials
Assists with coordination of joint activities between the two institutions
The “go to” person for both institutions

22. Small Group Activity
Share examples of collaborative activities between community college and universities currently in place at your institutions? Do they follow any of the discussed models or follow a different model?
How to select the proper collaboration model(s) to implement?

23. Criteria for Choosing the Proper collaboration Model(s)?
Key parameters:
The current resources
The overall environment
The expected demand
The discipline(s) involved
How does it fit with the strategic plans of your unit and your school

24. Summary Collaboration can be wonderful but difficult
Takes coordination, accommodation, and compromise
Desire may arise from external motives - e.g. funding and need for resources
Desire may also come from internal motives - e.g. vision of administration or faculty and then funding is sought
Advanced collaboration: adopting a common assessment program that includes objectives of courses and programs (AQIP-driven approach)