[Wctcca] HD Courses and Career Pathways Question

Wed Oct 13 17:47:49 PDT 2021

 Hi All,
Hope you are well. Should be an interesting, but hopefully good year for all of us! It's been awhile since January 2021 when I last asked you how and if your HD courses are being integrated into Career Pathways in an accessible and visible way? Would you be willing to share what your colleges are doing?
Currently, we will propose that our classes be listed in every pathway as an elective. However, if it's not listed as a recommend or required courses, I'm not sure if this will be effective enough to encourage students to take these courses. Any thoughts or experiences with this?
I heard from YVCC (thanks, Liz!) in January, but I think last January, others were just beginning this conversation.  We have seen some declining enrollments in some (although not all) of our HD courses, in part due to COVID, and the subsequent decreased international and Running Start student enrollments. It's a mystery to us about why our career exploration course also experienced decreased enrollments (which might have to do with a new First Year Experience requirement), when more of these classes should be needed, not fewer.
Anyway, we know that the way in which HD courses are or are not positioned within the Pathways will be critical and could potentially significantly impact our HD classes/the HD program in general. I'm sure many of your colleges, like ours, are also struggling with financial shortfalls, so enrollments and class sizes are being scrutinized more carefully. We still feel strongly that these classes are important for student success and retention. 
Here is my original email below:

On Wed, Jan 27, 2021 at 11:48 AM Belle Nishioka via WCTCCA <wctcca at lists.ctc.edu> wrote:

Hi, All --

Hope you are well as we continue to navigate these unusual times! I really miss our yearly retreat at Rainbow Lodge and seeing everyone in person!

The counselors at BC have been asked by the College's Career Pathway staff to determine which pathways the HD classes should be placed in (e.g. psychology, computer science, etc.). 
Because HD courses (career exploration, stress management, motivation, assertive communication, etc) aren't specific to any particular pathway, we are concerned that having to put them in a few particular pathway will make our classes less accessible to all students and severely hurt our enrollment.
We are wondering how counselors at other community colleges colleges are addressing this issues? Where are your HD courses being placed and/or have other strategies been developed to ensure that these classes remain visible and readily accessible for all students?

Thank you for any input you have!

Warmly,

 Belle 

We'd love to hear from you, either via this listserv or feel free to email me individually as well: b.nishioka at bellevuecollege.edu
Thank you!
Warmly,
Belle

Belle M. Nishioka, MA, LMHC (pronouns: she/her)

Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Full Professor

Credentialed Multicultural Mental Health Specialist

Counseling Center, Bellevue College

Room U201-D (NEW!)

(425) 564-5747 (appointments/front desk)

(425) 564-2152 (office phone)

www.bellevuecollege.edu/counseling/

    On Thursday, January 28, 2021, 10:47:08 AM PST, Belle Nishioka <bnishioka at yahoo.com> wrote:  

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Elizabeth DeVilleneuve <edevilleneuve at yvcc.edu>To: Christine Sullivan <csullivan at everettcc.edu>; Belle Nishioka <bnishioka at yahoo.com>; Deanna Skinner <dskinner at everettcc.edu>Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021, 10:35:09 AM PSTSubject: RE: [Wctcca] HD Courses and Career Pathways Question

Hi,

Heidi Matlack, Rich Schillinger and I have been messaging about this question. We hear your concerns about not wanting HD/SD/CAS courses to be pigeon holed into specific Pathways. At YVC, we have not separated our courses by Pathway, rather our degrees and certificates are separated into our 6 different Pathways. Our Student Development/College Academic Skills courses are available to all students whose programs allow for general electives. 

Thank you,

Liz

From: WCTCCA <wctcca-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>On Behalf Of Christine Sullivan via WCTCCA
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2021 12:57 PM
To: Belle Nishioka <bnishioka at yahoo.com>; Deanna Skinner <dskinner at everettcc.edu>
Cc: Kristi Leksen via WCTCCA <wctcca at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: Re: [Wctcca] HD Courses and Career Pathways Question

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you validate the sender and know the content is safe. If you are unsure, contact the Help Desk at x4717 or emailhelpdesk at yvcc.edu.

Nice to hear from you Belle!

I am looping Deanna into this conversation as she currently is the Department Chair for the Human Development/Human Services etc. dept.  I think your question is good in and of itself and as a cautionary tale as well.  I will let Deanna respond as I don't think we have a firm Pathway placement right now but that could be on the horizon.  I am also curious where BCC is placing other courses that ideally cross pathways?  

Best wishes to you in these challenging times.....

Christine 

On Wed, Jan 27, 2021 at 11:48 AM Belle Nishioka via WCTCCA <wctcca at lists.ctc.edu> wrote:

Hi, All --

Hope you are well as we continue to navigate these unusual times! I really miss our yearly retreat at Rainbow Lodge and seeing everyone in person!

The counselors at BC have been asked by the College's Career Pathway staff to determine which pathways the HD classes should be placed in (e.g. psychology, computer science, etc.). 

Because HD courses (career exploration, stress management, motivation, assertive communication, etc) aren't specific to any particular pathway, we are concerned that having to put them in a few particular pathway will make our classes less accessible to all students and severely hurt our enrollment.

We are wondering how counselors at other community colleges colleges are addressing this issues? Where are your HD courses being placed and/or have other strategies been developed to ensure that these classes remain visible and readily accessible for all students?

Thank you for any input you have!

Warmly,

Belle 

Belle 

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