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WDT seeking comments for accreditation visit

Western Dakota Tech is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a commission of the North Central Association. First accredited in 1983, WDT's accreditation was reaffirmed in 2008. The next reaffirmation of accreditation visit is April 20 to April 22, 2015. A team of peer reviewers from colleges around the country will assemble on the WDT campus during that time. Before their visit to campus, the public is invited to provide confidential comments to the peer reviewers.

As part of the reaffirmation of accreditation, WDT must provide assurances and evidence of meeting five criteria:

  • Criterion 1: The institution's mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution's operations.

  • Criterion 2: The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.

  • Criterion 3: The institution provides high quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.

  • Criterion 4: The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments, and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.

  • Criterion 5: The institution's resources, structures, and processes are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities. The institution plans for the future.


Comments and feedback are welcomed because they add value to the reaffirmation process. If you would like to comment, please visit the link below to submit your comments to the Higher Learning Commission.

Thank you.

Steve Buchholz
Dean of Accreditation and Advancement
Western Dakota Tech
stephen.buchholz@wdt.edu

 

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Dual Enrollment helps students and South Dakota

The need for skilled workers is great. According to 2011 Skills Gap Report published by the Manufacturing Institute, 67% of respondents to a survey reported a moderate to severe shortage of available, qualified workers, and 56% anticipated the shortage to grow worse in the next three to five years. In addition, the survey indicates that 5% of current jobs at manufacturers are unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates. These results underscore the tenacity of a worsening talent shortage that threatens the future effectiveness of the U.S. manufacturing industry.

WDT is addressing that shortage for skilled technical workers in a variety of ways, including offering Dual Enrollment opportunities for high school students so they can prepare more quickly for the growing number of technical careers. Part of WDT's strategy is creating state-of-the-art classrooms and labs where students can learn with technology currently used in industry. WDT is using a portion of the Pathways to College and Career Success grant WDT received through Governor Dennis Daugaard's vision for expanding dual enrollment opportunities to renovate some campus facilities.

WDT's plans that would create better learning environments for students in multiple programs include:

  • Renovation of Collision Repair lab to create labs and classrooms for Electrical Trades, Plumbing, and HVAC/R

  • Renovations to Room ABCD and old bookstore into labs for Surgical Technology and Practical Nursing and conference room for industry partner meetings

  • Installation of windows so visitors can view classroom activity and floor-mounted electrical outlets to better enable students to use technology in classrooms in Wanbli Floor 2

  • Installation of windows so visitors can view classroom activity in Wanbli Floor 1

  • Renovation of clean room in Pharmacy Tech lab to better match facilities to industry

  • Renovation of Corporate Education office into Machining and Engineering Tech lab


These renovations and the broader impacts of WDT's and South Dakota's efforts to grow Dual Enrollment opportunities will help the state begin addressing its workforce problem. These efforts expose high school students to high-quality career and technical education experiences and help them understand what skilled careers are like and why they are the quickest path to better lives.

Collaboration between industry and education, both at the high-school and college level, are key to the success of this program. Those efforts have already begun. WDT has and will continue to invite counselors, principals, school boards, and other to campus so everyone understands the importance of Dual Enrollment courses that lower the cost of college for students and the time it takes to earn a college degree.

All those methods will prepare students to address South Dakota's high-need workforce areas. The Dual Enrollment project will accomplish this by focusing its efforts on coursework that is directly related to high-growth career fields.

WDT has embraced a philosophy of offering programs that prepare students for career fields that are growing and in-demand in South Dakota and beyond. WDT monitors workforce trends before and after programs are started to make sure career opportunities will be available for students when they graduate with diplomas or Associate of Applied Science degrees.

In addition, WDT uses an advisory committee system to involve business and industry representatives in every WDT program. Each program committee meets with faculty and administration at least twice a year to provide feedback on curriculum, equipment, workforce trends, and other critical information that allows WDT's programs to remain current and relevant.

Through campus improvements, collaboration between industry and education, and the continued dedication to student and industry success, WDT's part in the state's efforts to grown Dual Enrollment opportunities plays a large role in meeting the need for skilled workers in South Dakota and beyond.

Learn more about Dual Enrollment opportunities HERE.

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WDT honors veterans

Western Dakota Tech honored veterans at the school with a ceremony at noon today in the WDT Commons area.

"With over 16% of our student population being either US military veterans or dependents of veterans, WDT serves a significant number of veterans on our campus," said Curt Lauinger, WDT Career Services Coordinator. "It is a privilege to assist our student veterans while they pursue their educational goals at WDT in preparation for work in their chosen career."

All of the 111 student veterans and 15 employee veterans were invited to attend the recognition ceremony. Each were presented with a US Flag lapel pin from WDT and a personalized thank you drawing from Horace Mann and Wilson Elementary students.

A tribute was also played during the short ceremony. Click here to view the presentation.

WDT was recently designated a Military Friendly School for the fifth consecutive year. The designation is awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students and dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. WDT has services in place for the students who classify as active or former service members.

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Students Graduate Professional Truck Driving Program

Three students graduated from the Western Dakota Tech Professional Truck Driving Program on October 15, 2014. Among the graduates were:

Sabrina Brossart of Lead, SD

Ruperto Reyes of Rapid City, SD

Travis Robinson of Box Elder, SD

The next class is scheduled for November 5 — December 19, 2014. For more information about this program please contact the Corporate Education Center at 605.718.2410.

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Sturgis hammers it home with machining collaboration

mandylin_atwdt_1_USEThe whirring of machines and high-pitched screech of cutting metal accompany five Sturgis Brown high school students as they attend their weekly Dual Enrollment class at Western Dakota Tech. The class is a collaboration between education and industry, and students at Sturgis Brown are the first to test it out. The program combines industry experience and hands-on learning through the Dual Enrollment program. Students earn college credits and get a feel for the machining industry while still in high school.

To complete the program, students spend one semester interning for 90 minutes a week at various Sturgis machining businesses and have a four-hour machining class at WDT each Friday.

"I like the hands-on work," said Mandilyn Horst, one of the students in the program. "You get to see the product you're making right when it's done."

Aside from the obvious benefit of enjoying a break from their normal high school class day, the students said they enjoyed the instructors at WDT, getting experience in a real work environment, and applying what they learn to their every-day lives.

"It gives me a good idea of what the job site is really like," said student Aaron Adams. Not only does the program benefit students, it also gives local machining companies the opportunity for a larger selection of local employees.

Pat Kurtenbach, President of the Sturgis Economic Development Corporation, said, "Skilled machinists are extremely difficult to find and recruit so we decided to grow our own by partnering with the high school to attract the interest of students and parents."

The students test out the industry and get a jump-start on their career, and the businesses have a hands-on role in developing the skills of those students. Those who are a good fit have the potential for full-time work shortly out of high school.

"The greatest export of our community is our children," said Irving Stone, President of Bar-Sto Precision LLC., a participating business. "The benefit of this program is we get to keep the kids here where they can start their career, maybe raise a family, and stay local."

Stone has been searching for this type of program since his relocation from California four years ago. He says the collaborative environment here in South Dakota is much different. According to Stone, leaders here aren't afraid to step outside the box and support initiatives that make sense.

"It was a team effort," he said. "We had the governor and his group of people who were willing to see the potential and the schools and businesses were very willing to work together. It was a community and state effort to make it happen."

The "it" is a combination of two state actions. As part of the budget for 2014-2015, the South Dakota Legislature approved funding to allow high school students to take most state-supported college classes for just $40 per credit hour. At WDT, tools, books, and uniforms are covered by the Pathway to College and Career Success grant WDT received through Governor Dennis Daugaard's vision for expanding dual enrollment opportunities.

The Sturgis students taking classes at WDT all recommended the experience to other students.

Horst passed along this advice, "Take every chance you get in high-school. It's cheaper, and you get an early start."

Leaders at Sturgis Brown are excited about the program and the potential for student success.

"This course focuses on rigor, relevance, relationships, and results," Sturgis Brown High School Principal Jeff Simmons said. "We're looking at the big picture by making sure students are building relationships with postsecondary schools and industry, and learning skills that will prepare them for the future."

The program is off to a great start, with nothing but positive comments and excitement from all parties involved.

"When the kids are out of school and have jobs and say 'this program really helped me,' that's when you know it worked," Sturgis Brown Assistant Principal Don Lyons said.

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Western Dakota Technical College prepares students to be highly-skilled professionals through accessible, career-focused programs to improve their lives, while adapting to community workforce needs and positively impacting our economy.

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