Your future, our focus
P O W E L L, W y o. - Officials at Northwest College want to be students for a night. More specifically, they want to learn from Powell area residents how well the college is serving them. To that end, NWC will host a public meeting at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Commons.
In something of a role reversal, the meeting presents an opportunity for each community member to become the lecturer. College officials will be present with pen in hand to listen, learn and take notes. They're primarily looking for answers to four questions: What is NWC doing in the community that is effective or ineffective? Where do opportunities exist for NWC to expand services in the community? What NWC services, facilities and resources are Powell residents using? What questions and comments do those same audiences have for NWC?
The comments fielded during the meeting will help inform Northwest's reaccreditation self-study. NWC is gathering information in preparation for a spring 2011 visit by its accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Accreditation indicates to other colleges and universities and to the public that an organization meets established criteria in areas such as student academic achievement, financial stability and relationships with outside constituencies. Without accreditation, a college is unable to grant credit, offer degrees or administer federal financial aid-basic elements at the core of any institution.
The short meeting is designed to have participants home for dinner at a reasonable hour, but snacks will be provided.
For those who would like to voice their opinions about Northwest College's service to Powell but are unable to attend the meeting, comments can be expressed by e-mailing Mark Kitchen, vice president for college relations, or calling him at 754-6405.