Community College Partnerships for Distance Education Colleges By: Gary Pounder, TNCC, Director of Military Affairs Nora Graves, UMUC, Director of Hampton Roads

Introductions Gary Pounder (Major, USAF Retired) is Director of Contract Credit and Military Affairs at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, VA. In that capacity, he develops tailored workforce development solutions for the local business community and administers a full-range of academic and training programs aimed at the region’s large military population. One out of every four students at Thomas Nelson has some type of connection to the armed forces and serving the needs of that group remains a top priority for the college. Nora Graves, Director, UMUC Hampton Roads Region. Nora has worked with UMUC in the Hampton Roads Region for over 14 years and has been an Adjunct English Professor for over 16 years. She is a Past President of VA-ACME and has been involved with the Vol-Ed community as an advocate for military and veteran students throughout her tenure.

Why Did We Partner? We can not be all things to all students…and we should not try. We serve: Military Students: Often relocating and may prefer/need a classroom. Air Force Students have the CCAF, but need 5 general ed classes to complete degree. May prefer classroom delivery or hybrid format for gen ed classes, subsequent bachelor’s courses Navy/Army/Marines: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degrees, Masters (may need undergrad credit as pre-requisite). Increasing demand for credentials in all services; initial certification often spurs desire to earn a degree—community college represents logical starting point Veteran Students: In need of a classroom for full time housing benefits. Civilians Affiliated w/Military—May be interested in UMUC degree programs, or specialized certification programs (example: Project Management); partnership can meet wide range of needs, in region with 150,000 active duty/DoD civilian personnel (25,000 on Tidewater Peninsula) and 240,000 veterans

Inception 9/11 GI Bill Professional Relationship and a shared interest in providing military members with a solution. Identifying that all schools can not possibly be all things for our military/veteran students. Pathways to a partnership—doing what is RIGHT for each student, individually.

Implementation Identify the need and then work with Senior Leadership Provide a framework on a process to best identify and serve students. Provide an office with easy physical access to representatives from both schools. Measure and monitor success. Classroom options for upper level courses and grad classes. Options for credentials, specialized certifications aligned with student, service needs Event support and sponsorship

In Demand Degree Programs: Cybersecurity UMUC is recognized leader in Cybersecurity Education UMUC takes up to 90 credits of transfer credit and up to 70 hours from the Community College Programs UMUC has hosted several Veteran and Military focused Cybersecurity and Security events with local employers, TNCC supports and participates. TNCC needed a 4 year Center of Excellence (CIA) to sponsor the CAE2Y application; received designation in 2017—also sought transfer partner for new AAS in IT w/specialization in cyber security Thomas Nelson hosts an annual Cybersecurity conference on site every year and UMUC is the Academic Sponsor TNCC led efforts in Virginia to increase award of credit for military training/education, culminating in Credits2Careers portal; programs articulate into UMUC offerings, maximizing use of military credits Goal: Seamless education system that takes students from initial certification to graduate school, as required

Bringing our Experts Together Ongoing discussions between academic departments facilitate a more progressive, in demand, relative degree program(s) that provides needed experience and education to students. Ongoing discussions with local, national employers gives both institutions better insights into the dynamic field of Cybersecurity. UMUC is an international university, recognized as a leader in military education for more than 60 years TNCC is a full-service community college supporting the military and the civilian sector in one of the world’s largest armed services communities, home to 11 major military installations, w/representation of all services

Let’s Look at the Numbers: University of Maryland University College: 90,000 + students Thomas Nelson Community College: 17,000 students Approximate Students who have participated in Dual Program: 100+ Note: program (to date) has relied largely on word-of-mouth, references from reps at respective institutions; future efforts will integrate comprehensive, aggressive marketing strategy

The Road Ahead Update partnership MOU Revised articulation agreements to include new cyber offerings from TNCC Market cyber alliance as “Hampton Roads Military Cyber Academy” Continue to serve general student population with full range of offerings that maximize military credits and allow full transfer from TNCC to UMUC Explore other academic areas that create synergistic effects for institutions and students Pursue/maintain other partnerships

Questions? Gary Pounder, Thomas Nelson Community College pounderg@tncc.edu (757) 825-2938 Nora Graves, UMUC: Nora.graves@umuc.edu (757)646-1530