Low Cost, High Quality Fosters Butler Community College’s Growth
Published Aug 18, 2009
Enrollment is up, up, up at Butler Community College, helping more students get a leg up in today’s competitive job market.
Jackie Vietti, the college’s president, attributes the increase to the school’s accessibility, affordability and strong ties with the local business community.
The college is based in El Dorado, but with five additional campuses throughout the greater Wichita area, classes are within easy reach. Additionally, the college’s virtual campus, an extensive online program, boasts the system’s third-largest enrollment.
The college also strives to minimize costs. Students attending classes in summer 2009, for example, paid just $79 for each semester hour.
Butler takes care to look beyond the classroom. “We have a number of great partnerships in the business community,” Vietti says. “We also are active members in area chambers and economic development boards. We want to be part of the workforce development solution.”
The college’s nursing program, which can graduate up to 128 associate-degree nurses annually, has clinical training partnerships with area hospitals. The Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas also helps students apply skills learned in the classroom to real-world environments.
As Butler Community College analyzes industry trends, it customizes programs to prepare students for a solid future. Recent adjustments include a heightened focus on high-tech programs.
Butler’s economic impact is clear. For every credit hour a student completes, Vietti says, earning power rises $192. Those completing a certificate program may see their earning potential increase $6,000 per year; those who complete an associate degree generally earn $10,000 a year more than their counterparts without such training.
By preparing students to succeed in the local job market, Vietti says, Butler achieves lasting results inside and outside the classroom.
“Our mission is to focus on the individual and also to contribute to the communities we serve,” she says.
Story by Leanne Libby
Current Weather Conditions In Wichita, KS (67202)
Cloudy, and 46 ° F. For more details?
Click here...
