1. When
Realities
Unite
Non-traditional students embrace the collaboration of university program delivery in community colleges

2. Innovative Method of Course Delivery is Flourishing
Experience
Commitment
Productive Social Networks

3. Experience
Appalachian State University has 50+ years experience offering off-campus programming
The majority of these years have been in teacher education

4. Experience - Students Served 200 part-time, evening,
undergraduate, Elementary
Education students
(since 2005)
200+ part-time, evening, undergraduate, Middle Grades and
Special Education students (since 2005)
125 full-time, daytime, undergraduate
Elementary Education students (since 2007)

5. Experience - Students Served
45% of all undergraduate cohorts,
off-campus, are education
42 Master/EdS/Doctoral
education cohorts are
currently offered, off-campus (up to 20 students each)

6. 10 community colleges + Appalachian State University
Experience
From this experience evolved the Appalachian Learning Alliance (ALA)
10 community colleges + Appalachian State University
The ALA agreement
was signed by all
participating
institutions in
1999

7. Experience

8. Experience
ALA Goals
Increase access to high quality instruction and learning for North Carolinians
Expand educational offerings through a variety of collaborations and educational initiatives
Share educational resources to deliver cost-effective learning programs and degree programs to a wide range of citizens
Add value to North Carolina’s existing higher education resources

9. Each community college
Experience
Each community college
determines the resources they are capable of dedicating to ALA efforts
provides classroom space
University students, attending ALA sites, have access to all learning resource facilities and library resources on that campus
Students receive Appalachian IDs, access to all student-related ASU web information, newsletters, career development services, library, textbook, IT services and more

10. Experience
In the past, Appalachian’s Learning Alliance has focused on part-time, off-campus, evening cohorts
Assessment revealed significant interest to offer an off-campus, full-time, daytime, Elementary Education program
Alliance Community Students report
inability to live on main campus
place bound by employment/children/spouse
desire to attend university but no reasonable access
willingness to travel up to 45 minutes, one way, to pursue degree in higher education

11. Commitment In 2007 for the first time in North Carolina
a full-time, off-campus, Elementary Education program was launched
Key to success were
Student demand for the major
Community College support
The Appalachian State University Center, on the campus of Caldwell Community College, funded by
County Commissioners
Private Donors
Caldwell Community College
Appalachian State University

12. 30,000 + sq ft facility, of which we occupy 15,000 sq ft, at this time
Commitment
Appalachian State University Center is located an hour from main campus and over an hour from UNC Charlotte
30,000 + sq ft facility, of which we occupy 15,000 sq ft, at this time
Student Lounge
Media Lab

13. Students have access to
Commitment
Students who attend the Appalachian State University Center enjoy a well equipped and staffed facility, comparable to ASU’s own.
Students have access to
2 full-time and one half-time staff persons
Appalachian faculty advisor
2 information technology technicians
semi-private student lounge
vended printing
computer lab housing multiple Macintosh and Windows computers
media lab equipped with a variety of media manipulation equipment (scanner, vhs/dvd converter, digital still and video cameras, on-line-real-time tutoring accessibility)
classrooms with portable computer lab capability

14. Program instruction is funded through UNC System
Commitment
Program instruction is funded through UNC System
Some financial aid is available through the NC General Assembly & the UNC System
Appalachian and each ALA member have consortia agreements permitting dual enrollment

15. Appalachian, main campus faculty
Commitment
Community College faculty provide freshman and sophomore components
Appalachian, main campus faculty
have regular teaching assignments at the ALA sites
provide upper division coursework
identify field placements, internships and student teaching
supervise student interns and student teachers

16. Productive Social Networks
Local school districts
are ready to hire
Alliance graduates
appreciate the opportunity for professional development/advancement allowed by extensive, local Appalachian graduate programming

17. How it Works Full-time cohort students attend classes 12-15 hrs/wk
report working approximately 20 hrs/wk
typically report the care of another as a primary responsibility outside of school
attend university classes for 3 years, with summers off

18. Appalachian Instructors
How it Works
Appalachian Instructors
travel to the Alliance site once per week, usually delivering 3 hours of face-to-face instruction to students, in one day
are typically tenure (track), full-time, on-campus instructors
deliver the same rigor and challenges to off-campus students as are delivered to students’ on-campus peers

19. How it Works Appalachian’s commencement occurs each May and December
On- and off-campus students graduate together on the main campus of Appalachian State University

20. The Results Cohort #1 Graduated Fall 2009
N=25
Graduated Fall 2009
95% Graduated with Latin Honors
52% Magna Cum Laude
24% Summa Cum Laude
19% Cum Laude
96% Overall retention

21. The Results Cohort #2 Semester 6 100% Dean’s List
67% Chancellor’s List
110.5% retention
Overall grade point average of 3.72

22. The Results Cohort #3 Semester 5 90% Dean’s List 30% Chancellor’s List
95% retention
Overall grade point average of 3.66

23. The Results Cohort #4 Semester 3 100% Dean’s List
64% Chancellor’s List
95% retention
Overall grade point average of 3.66

24. (2 semesters earlier than required)
The Results
Cohort #5
N=23
Semester 1
87% of students have passed Praxis I prior to admission to Appalachian State University
(2 semesters earlier than required)
100% students report a high level of satisfaction with their classes,
facilities, student support
and administrative services

25. The success of this Elementary Education venture has led to
The Results
The success of this Elementary Education venture has led to
Establishment of two additional Appalachian Centers
Additional majors, including
Criminal Justice
Psychology
Business Management
Communication
Social Work
Nursing

26. Appalachian initiated the
Conclusion
Appalachian initiated the
Learning Alliance
With
Community Colleges to
increase accessibility and affordability of
a 4-year degree for non-traditional students
alleviate state’s critical shortage of teachers
provide professional development to region
and…

27. Conclusion address campus enrollment mandates
address economic decline by increasing number of college graduates within Alliance communities
build graduate programs

28. Conclusion
Why we do it….