Crowder College’s accelerated paramedic program should be nationally accredited by next year, as well as possibly expand to include more students, according to its top administrator.
Paramedic instructor Kristin Spencer told Crowder’s board of trustees Thursday that while the college’s paramedic program is state accredited through the Department of Health and Senior Services, she said it should receive national accreditation status by mid-2009.
Pushing the upward move, Spencer said, is a recent mandate by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians that, as of 2013, all paramedics must graduate from a nationally accredited program. Training inconsistencies, she said, from state to state was the main reason behind requiring uniform standards nation-wide.
Spencer said she was “getting the ball rolling” toward that end, but admitted it wouldn’t be an easy task, considering the bureau paperwork involved.
“But we’ve got a lot of time to do it,” she added.
Spencer also said she was looking to expand the program to 12 students and possibly even 15. Currently, it’s capped at 10.
“I’m really kind of hesitant to over-enroll because I really like that one-on-one instruction and I think that’s important to students,” Spencer said. “But to increase it to 12 would be OK, I think, and maybe even 15. But we’ll see how that goes.”
Crowder’s paramedic course is an intense 27-week course that offers both a certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree, though most students opt for just the certificate, according to Spencer. A simple EMT certificate is also available.
While most paramedic programs can take up to 18 months to complete, Crowder’s is accelerated, cramming a year and half’s worth of training into a third of the time.
According to Spencer, that’s the reason the program was created in the first place, after the college was approached by area ambulance administrators about filling the high job demand more quickly than as was the wont.
Spencer likened Crowder’s program to “running a 50-yard dash over 26 miles” and said her students must be able to “say ‘goodbye’ to their lives for six months.”
“These students must be driven, they must have initiative, and they have to be goal-orientated,” Spencer said. “Because this is a really challenging program and it’s not for everybody. That’s just how challenging it is.”
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In other business Tuesday, the board:
• Approved the 2009 fiscal year budget, showing anticipated revenues at $30,028,178 and projected expenses of $29,522,916, leaving a reserve of $505,262.
• Heard a Higher Learning Commission affiliation status and reaffirmation report by Mickie Mahan, director of institutional research. Crowder has again been nationally reaccredited by the Higher Learning Commission through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).
• Heard a report from Dr. Brad Tyndall, dean of instruction, on the state’s recently drafted coordinated plan for higher education, required by passed legislation last year that was sponsored by Newton County’s representative in the State Senate, Gary Nodler (R-Joplin). Crowder will have to annually submit at least two indicators of progress reports to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education that deal with student success rates, as measured by the number of students who completed a degree or certificate or transferred to a four-year school within four years, and “developmental enrollee success rates”, which is defined as the percentage of students who successfully passed a college math or English course for two consecutive semesters. Further annual indicators of progress, yet determined, will be required as well by the state higher education board, Tyndall said.
• Heard a National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) accreditation report from Ben Simpson, computer technology instructor. In April, NAIT evaluated Crowder’s computer/network support and drafting/design programs, recommending full accreditation for both, subject to approval by the full NAIT Accreditation Board. Some issues within the drafting and design program were found to be in only partial compliance, namely underdeveloped plans for achieving program goals, a lack of applied prerequisite math and science courses and a shortage of industrial experiences for students enrolled in the program, though Simpson said these issues were being examined and remedied and the drafting/design program would still be fully accredited.
• Awarded Great Western Food Service, Tipton, Mo., a five year catering contract that includes a board rate of $7.86 and a 10 meal plan for $38. Individual breakfasts, lunches and dinners at the college will cost $4, $4.75 and $5.75 respectively.
According to Crowder dean of business Ron Granger, Great Western has agreed to retain all of the current kitchen staff at the college.
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Under personnel items on the agenda, the board:
• Accepted the retirement of Nellrena Boman Dible — Continuing Education/Events Coordinator;
• Accepted the resignation of Karen Marney — Cashier/Accounts Receivable Specialist;
• Accepted the resignation of Vickie Chaplin — Student Services Coordinator, Nevada Center;
• Accepted the resignation of Sandra Houlihan — Nursing Instructor, Nevada;
• Hired Mick Finley — Network Administrator;
• Hired Mitch Cordray — Network Administrator;
• Hired Jorge Avendano — Computer Repair Technician;
• Hired William Lenz — Computer Repair Technician;
• Hired Christopher Woitowitz — Director of Information Technology;
• Hired Kierstin Bible — Choral Music Instructor;
• Hired Mayra G. Garcia — Camp Recruiter;
• Hired Linda S. Berns — Nursing Instructor, Nevada;
• Hired Linda K. Douglas — Nursing Instructor, Nevada;
• Hired Jared Starks — Transport Training Director/Instructor;
• Hired Candace Stebbins — Bookstore Customer Service Associate;
• Hired Bradford Smith — Soccer Coach/Instructor;
• Hired Paula Duggan — Computer Technology Instructor;
• Hired Lisa Adams — Student Support Services Academic Coordinator;
• Hired Janet Reed — Student Services Coordinator, Nevada Center.
