Pierce College Working Toward Key Messages

Feasibility Study Recommendations 1 & 2 I. I. Conduct a public relations/marketing campaign that highlights the need and benefits of the proposed projects and encourages philanthropic support from targeted audiences and constituencies. II. Expand and refine the Case for Support for the proposed projects and the campaign for their support.

Pierce County’s Colleges & Universities Two Technical Colleges Bates Clover Park Two Community College Districts Pierce College Pierce College Fort Steilacoom Pierce College Puyallup Tacoma Community College Four major B.A.-granting institutions Pacific Lutheran University (private) University of Puget Sound (private) The Evergreen State College, Tacoma Campus (public, upper division) University of Washington Tacoma (public, upper division)

Yes! Percentage of Adults with 4-Year Degrees Do We Need That Many?

“Analysts have repeatedly identified the relative lack of education in Pierce County as an impediment to job creation.” -- News Tribune editorial, 7/30/02

What Are The Roles of Each Type of Institution?

Technical Colleges Prepare People for Jobs Workforce Education Basic Skills

Community Colleges Broader scope of services than any other type of higher ed Prepare People for Jobs Workforce Education Basic Skills Academic Transfer ( First 2 years of a four-year degree) Developmental Education

Public B.A.-Granting Colleges Upper Division only ( junior and senior standing ) leading to a B.A. UWT also has limited graduate programs

Private Four-Year Colleges Both upper and lower division programs leading to a B.A. (i.e. all 4 years of a four-year degree) Limited graduate degrees Liberal Arts emphasis Traditional residential settings Traditional age bracket (18-23)

Pierce County’s Post-Secondary Institutions: Other Comparisons

Accessibility Comparison: Cost

Accessibility Comparison: Academic Selectivity Entrance CriteriaDevelopmental courses? Technical Colleges NoneYes Community Colleges NoneYes Public B.A. – granting * Varies—at least 2.5 GPA *SAT scores considered *College prep coursework No Private B.A. - granting *Approx. 3.6 GPA *Approx 1200 SAT scores *College prep coursework No

Community & Technical Colleges FTEs By Purpose for Attending

CTCs: Number of Students Receiving Degrees, Certificates, GEDs & High School Diplomas

Number of Students: All Post-Secondary Institutions (Headcount)

Diversity of Community & Technical Colleges : Percent Students of Color

Diversity of Community & Technical Colleges Percent Women Students

Pierce College: Some Key Points

Key Points 1. Highly Accessible Affordable “Open door” policy + an extensive developmental program to help students who are academically unprepared for college work

Key Points 2. Comprehensive Educational Program Critical stepping-stone to a B.A. High percent and number of students enrolled as academic transfer (highest in county) High number of students who transfer to public 4-years each year (highest in county and among highest in state) Also strong programs in workforce education, basic skills, and developmental education.

Key Points 3. Largest with more than 25,000 students, it is the largest by far of all post-secondary institutions in the county serves almost 30% of all post-secondary students in Pierce County

Key Points 4. Most Diverse Highest % (and number) of students of color of all the county’s CTCs 35.3% students of color Highest % (and number) of women of all the county’s CTCs 61.6% women

Pierce College: Pierce County’s “College of Opportunity” Educates more people than any other institution of post-secondary education in the county Is the county’s most heavily traveled pathway to a four-year degree Serves as the primary point of entry into higher education for women and people of color in Pierce County

Pierce College: Pierce County’s “College of Opportunity” IS DOING MORE THAN ANY OTHER ENTITY IN THE COUNTY TO CORRECT THE COUNTY’S PROBLEM OF LOW EDUCATIONAL LEVELS.