Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 5 of The Illinois Commitment
Advisory Council Strengthens Programs
John Wood Community College
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
John Wood Community College (JWCC) uses advisory councils for the development and continual
improvement of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Transfer programs to ensure that the needs of the
community are met. For instance, both CTE and transfer programs must 1) be representative of needs and
opportunities for employment; 2) transfer to other institutions 3) articulate viable educational programs, and 4)
meet required levels of support to respond to community needs. All programs need to be at the highest level of
quality and delivered efficiently and effectively; advisory councils help JWCC accomplish those objectives.
JWCC has developed an effective process for advisory councils to fulfill their intended objectives and obtain
maximum impact upon the programs they serve. Furthermore, advisory councils increase the ownership of the
college within the community and lead to increasing the influence of JWCC within the community. As a result,
JWCC’s re-focused efforts on advisory councils have enabled the college to develop a strong base of community
support.
Description of the effective practice:
During the past five years, five separate effective advisory councils have been organized. Two councils were
organized around geographic areas (Pike County and Brown County); the other three councils are organized
around specific occupational areas (Education, Truck Driver Training, and Health Sciences). The charter
members of the five councils were selected by carefully identifying the business and community leaders within
each geographic and educational area and convening a meeting. This process is meant to insure that the
advisory councils were perceived to be credible not only by the business and community leaders but also by the
people living and working within each area - geographic or occupational. After the first meeting, each advisory
council developed a constitution. In the case of one council, a set of operational bylaws were developed and
implemented during the first meeting.
The total initial organizational cost for developing these five councils was less than $500 for secretarial
assistance and materials. Each advisory council elected its own secretary and thereby removed the costs for
secretarial assistance. The benefits, of course, were the gains in obtaining the advice of business and community
leaders to guide the operation of JWCC programs. The community becomes a true partner with the educational
institution adding to the integrity and credibility of the programs as perceived by students, administrators,
faculty, and the rest of the community.
Each advisory council meets at least three times yearly, or more, if they desire. Each council has specific
standing committees to address the issues of curriculum, facilities, equipment, admissions, and marketing issues.
Councils have standing committees and ad hoc committees to address specific issues within their respective
geographic or occupational areas.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
The cost in terms of dollars and staff time to sustain the advisory councils is minimal once the potential
membership has been identified and a meeting convened. After commitment is obtained, officers are selected,
the constitution is approved, and committees formed, the council is self-sustaining all the while providing
invaluable recommendations to the college. Some minimal administrative assistance is needed to process the
recommendations and select new members for the councils as needed. The management of advisory councils on
the part of the college is one of the least complex and most effective processes.
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
• The Pittsfield [County] Education Center (PEC) Advisory Council formed in 2002. From 2001-2006, the
unduplicated headcount at the PEC has increased 14% (from 464 in 2001 to 531 in 2006) and credit hours
have increased by 30% (from 2,647.5 in 2001 to 3447.5 in 2006).
• The PEC Advisory Council recommended the establishment of the dual credit program JWCC has with
Pittsfield High School in which students come to the PEC for morning classes.
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