exampleconference2024

This session will introduce participants to Minnesota State’s newly approved Ability to Benefit (AtB) - State-Defined Process Plan. The plan approved by US DOE is a provision in the Higher Education Act and allows adult learners who have not received a high school diploma/GED to be eligible for Title IV Federal Student aid like Pell grants, as well as Minnesota state financial aid. AtB will support Minnesota State’s Equity 2030 and the State Legislature’s Attainment goals and is designed to reduce barriers between secondary and post-secondary pathways by supporting strong collaboration between colleges and ABEs.

The presentation will be interactive and include the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences.

Session’s Objectives:

1. Introducing the purpose of the AtB State Process Plan
2. Learning through stories and examples of other states’ strong and growing AtB programs
3. Describing how Minnesota colleges can take advantage of the AtB State Plan 

ROOM HOSTS: 

• Larry Handlin (will be online hosting Zoom)
• Stephen Kelly (will be in the room)

Selected as one of ten colleges in the nation to run an academy under the Uniquely Abled Project, non-profit organization, South Central College's Uniquely Abled Academy connects our non-credit customized workforce education department with our credit-based Machine Tool Technology program. This program offers a specialized 12-week academy for young adults with Level I Autism, free for the students and their families, resulting in job placement for all participants.  Our session will highlight the local and State-wide problems encountered in setting up the academy, the successes seen by faculty and students, and the connections made with employers and state agencies along the way.

Session Objectives:

1. Identifying opportunities to create non-credit to credit pathways for adult learners typically alienated by higher education. 
2. Providing insight to CTE instructors on how to provide accommodations for students with various learning needs. 
3. Sharing successful connections with state agencies, regional workforce centers, and employers.

ROOM HOST: Crystal Svoboda

Many programs utilize case studies to enhance classroom learning.  Try turning a case study into a fun and interactive way for students to learn by making it a virtual escape room.  This not only helps students learn the information, but also improves critical thinking skills in an exciting way.  Students can interact with elements of the escape room such as audio, video and images and responses can be created as multiple choice, select all that apply and short answer.

Session Objectives:
1. Understand the benefits to using a virtual escape room to enhance learning and engage students
2. Start creating their own escape room experience
3.Utilize free services to build a new exciting way for students to learn

ROOM HOSTS: Erin Olson

This session explores perceptions of "college" and how students define college as a barrier to postsecondary choice. The influences on Native American and rural students will be explored through student voices and those that advise them. This presentation is Phase III of an ongoing study of Underrepresented Students Finding CTE.

Session Objectives:
1. Participants will gain an understanding of the barriers to post-secondary choice and the significant influences of indigenous and rural student populations.
2. Participants will evaluate their own organization's practices regarding indigenous and rural populations.
3. Participants will explore current academic and career planning practices and how this research informs the contemporary approach to advising secondary and post-secondary students.

ROOM HOSTS: Mary Jo Gardner