WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

Alliance Campus
The Alliance Campus building, with 10,871 square feet of leased space, has 6 general purpose,
technology-enhanced classrooms, and 2 computer classrooms, one with 18 computers and the
other with 8 computers. All rooms are teaching classrooms, but the larger one with more
computers is also used as an open lab during times when classes are not in session. The Alliance
Campus also has a well-equipped nursing lab for its PN students, and following the closing of its
ITV rooms by Chadron State College in the spring of 2009, another classroom and office will be
available for lease.
The Powerline Pole Facility
Students enrolling in the Powerline Construction and Maintenance program at Alliance can obtain a
diploma in one year with a total of 56 credit hours, or they can earn an AOS with 65 credit hours.
To date, there have been 34 graduates, who have obtained a 91% placement rate. Graduates are
working in Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, and Colorado, and the occupation shows high growth
potential. A Powerline Fellow position (serving as an assistant to the Powerline instructor) was
added for the fall term of 2009. The addition of this support position allowed the student capacity
to increase from 15 to 20 students per session. A new digger truck was also recently purchased
(using donated funds earmarked for the Powerline program in the WNCC Foundation).
Students following the Powerline course of study take theoretical courses in electricity, math,
physics, and safety based on the Merchant Job Training and Safety curriculum, and they combine
that knowledge with direct application in field experience like climbing poles, operating machinery,
and learning to perform typical utility line job functions. Safety and responsibility are taught and
reinforced consistently because students are required to perform challenging tasks like climbing
poles in the dark and inclement weather to simulate actual working conditions. Internships at area
utility companies are offered each year to interested students.
The Pole facility, located on the east edge of Alliance about two miles from the campus building,
provides 5,229 square feet of space in a large steel structure with two high bays, a locker room,
and a classroom, which was recently upgraded to a Smart Room. Adjacent to the building is an
8.2 acre pole lab. The Powerline Instructor believes that as the program expands, improvements
and maintenance upgrades may become necessary for the specialized equipment. Another
challenge will be for the instructor and the assistants to stay current with technology advancements
in the utilities field and with changing OSHA rules that affect the industry. A second future
challenge lies in meeting disposable educational material costs, such as buying new poles.
Sidney Campus
The 27,409-square foot main campus building in Sidney contains 2 general purpose classrooms,
both of which are technology-enhanced, one with 21 computers and the other with 19. There are
also 8 computers available in the library for general use by students and the public, and 10
computers in the back of the library that are designated as Writing Center computers. Besides the
general education offerings and the PN program at Sidney, the campus features two long-standing
signature programs, Cosmetology and Aviation Maintenance.
Western Nebraska Community College Page 127