Moves Magazine - Louisiana Community and Technical College ...

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The Route to the Middle ClassLouisiana’s Community andTechnical Collegesccording to Dr. Frank Luntz in his book,“WhatAmerican’s Really Want...Really” almost everyonewants the opportunity to succeed and the ability topursue the American Dream. While everyone wantsthe good life, data indicates that for several decades,Louisiana’s middle class has been in decline.Recognizing the implications on the Louisianaeconomy, Governor Murphy James “Mike” Foster,Jr. led an effort to create a new higher educationsystem in Louisiana. The Louisiana Communityand Technical College System was created to put inplace the programs and services that would build avibrant middle-class in Louisiana. One of the mostimportant aspects of creating a state-wide system ofcommunity colleges was the establishment of theLouisiana Community and Technical College SystemBoard of Supervisors. This meant that for the firsttime, Louisiana had a board of higher educationthat exclusively focused on the important role ofcommunity and technical colleges in addressing theneeds of individuals, employers, and communitiesthroughout Louisiana.Having a board that is exclusively focused on thesecolleges is working. In 2011, Louisiana’s communityand technical colleges enrolled over 110,000individual students. Six of its sixteen colleges wereidentified among the fastest growing in America:Delgado Community College, L.E. FletcherTechnical Community System, Louisiana DeltaCommunity College, Nunez Community College,River Parishes Community College, and SOWELATechnical Community College.While enrollment growth is a great achievement,the most significant indicators of success are jobplacement and salaries. Not only do our programslead to employment, they lead to salaries that, onaverage, are higher than those of individuals thatearned a baccalaureate degree. In fact, eighteenmonths after completing an associate degree ourstudents earn an average of $35,544 per year whilethose who have earned a bachelor’s degree haveearnings of $32,742.This economic reality has caused almost everyonefrom President Obama to local chamber of commerceexecutives to identify community and technicalcolleges as the solution to rebuilding America’smiddle class. Today, Louisiana acknowledges thatcommunity and technical colleges are a principalplace to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilitiesneeded to participate in a knowledge-based societyand economy. These colleges are one of Louisiana’sprimary solutions to building a stronger, morecompetitive workforce.Despite the tremendous growth and the economicimpact of Louisiana’s community and technicalcolleges, we still have a significant gap betweenthe skills needed by business and industry and theapplicants for jobs. It is this skill gap that has causedthe middle-class decline that we have witnessed inLouisiana.Between 2009 and 2010, 75,000 Louisianan’s fellout of the middle class into poverty. Almost all ofthe affected individuals lacked skills to compete in4 | Moves Magazine
today’s economy. Therefore, it is increasingly important thatwe continue to grow the number of students completingcertificates and associate degrees.Louisiana’s community and technical colleges are committedto solving the problems of individuals, employers, ourcommunities and our state. They are not only the key to astrong middle class, they are essential to the economic vitalityof Louisiana.Community and technical college education in Louisiana hasnever been more essential.In 2010, 75,000 additional Louisianans slipped into poverty,bringing the total number of state residents who live belowthe poverty line to 830,000. It’s a disturbing statistic, andone that figures large in the community and technical collegesystem’s world.To someone who is economically disadvantaged, nothing ismore powerful than a marketable skill. And there is no fasteror more affordable way to attain such skills than throughcommunity and technical colleges. Thousands of men andwomen from across the state have poured into the LouisianaCommunity and Technical College System’s 16 growingcampuses over the last decade, but thousands more still needto access our services. It will take progressive public policiesand strong private investment to make this happen. Our RealSolutions for Louisiana Campaign is the vehicle that enablesindividuals and institutions to support this critical cause.We’re off to a great start, but there is much work to be done.We will continue to eliminate barriers to community andtechnical education through sound education policy andby keeping tuition affordable on our campuses. We willcontinue to grow our capacity. We will continue to workclosely with business and industry to align our curriculawith their evolving needs so that our students are trained forsustainable, good-paying jobs.Our employers need a steady pipeline of talent and ourresidents need skills. The bridge between the two is theLouisiana Community and Technical College System. §Moves Magazine | 5
Page 1 and 2: $1 Million Donation CreatesPioneeri
Page 3: Moves Magazine2012Dr. Joe D. MayPre
Page 7 and 8: Policy for a More Competitive State
Page 9 and 10: Dow Donates $1 Million to LCTCS Fou
Page 11 and 12: Donor to South Central Louisiana Te
Page 13 and 14: ticipation in Salzburg Global Semin
Page 15 and 16: ge and Private Industrieseduce Indu
Page 17 and 18: Going Mobile: Philanthropy and Inno
Page 19 and 20: Gayle Bumphus Endowment:Public Enga
Page 21 and 22: a’s Newest Community CollegeNorth
Page 23 and 24: Donors Making a Difference!ns and i
Page 29 and 30: 2011 legislative session were impre
Page 31 and 32: Thank you for your support!Louisian
Page 33 and 34: The LCTCS Foundation was audited by
Page 35 and 36: T h e R i g h t M o v e sIn order f

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