Tech Prep, Prep Education & NSF Projects SUCCESS STORIES
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82010 CROSSBRIDGE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC SIMPLE. CLEAR. SOLUTIONS. www.crossbridge1.com 937.299.6489
Tech Prep & Higher Education Annual Report – 2006 Snapshot Brochure – Workforce Development Impact Brochure & Fact Sheets – Computer Information Systems Executive Snapshot – MEtaMorph Career Exploration Executive Summary – Self-Study for Reaccreditation Grant Applications – College & Careers Transition Initiative How-To Guide – Managing a Tech Prep Consortium
While only one image is shown, each project typically involved multiple components for print, digital and/or web use.
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ANNUAL REPORT
2006 Snapshot The Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium collaborates with 58 area high schools to create seamless career-technical education programs that begin in high school and continue through college. MVTPC is a nationally recognized, award-winning program. CHALLENGE
The consortium wanted to develop a compact, high quality document to provide an overview to Tech Prep programs and describe new program elements. The primary goal was to highlight success profiles of students from each program
Quality, Time & Budget You have the rare ability to transform abstract ideas into something concrete and substantive, and to make complex challenges seem simple and doable. Ron Kindell Associate Vice President Sinclair Community College
area. SOLUTION
We worked closely with the assistant director to map the scope and objectives and analyze and profile multiple target audiences, which ranged from business leaders to teachers, parents and students. We conducted interviews of graduates, students, teachers and industry leaders; helped create a cohesive document layout that blended with existing materials; wrote and edited all copy; created coherent quotes and testimonies; and collaborated with the project manager to coordinate, approve and verify the complex document layout. RESULTS
The 2006 Snapshot is a core promotional and informational piece for the consortium. It is used to attract quality students to the program, to communicate with parents, teachers, administrators and critical business leaders who partner with the program to provide hands-on technical work experiences.
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BROCHURE
Workforce Development Impact Sinclair Community College is one of the leading two-year colleges in the nation. The Corporate & Community Services division provides quality executive, managerial, professional and technical programs in multiple state-of-the art facilities. CHALLENGE
The goal was to find an effective means to convey the many ways individuals, companies, organizations and communities in the region benefit from the
Leadership & Skill Your facilitation of the process was wonderfully effective. I knew you could manage and produce great communications on budget and time, but I had underestimated the importance and quality of the facilitation required to accomplish the task. Your leadership and skills in this area were most valuable. I routinely recommend Crossbridge to others seeking communications assistance. Dan Brazelton Dean of Corporate & Community Services Sinclair Community College
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division’s ongoing workforce development programs. SOLUTION
We identified a handful of key indicators, conducted research and background interviews, compiled focused impact summaries, and created compact descriptions carefully targeted to a diverse, external base of customers and stakeholders. Concise descriptions were coupled with dramatic photos to create a 14-panel roll-fold brochure and PowerPoint presentation. RESULTS
Working with the client team, we documented a regional impact exceeding $100 million. The materials were used as an early salvo in the levy renewal effort and continue to demonstrate the college’s impact on the community’s economic vitality. Sinclair’s workforce development efforts have been featured in the New York Times.
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BROCHURE
& FACT SHEETS
Computer Information Systems The Computer Information Systems (CIS) program at Sinclair Community College is a state-of-the-art IT program that leads to an AAS degree or to a variety of industry-standard certifications and certificates. Sinclair Community College is one of the leading two-year colleges in the nation. CHALLENGE
As part of the NSF-funded IT efforts, the CIS program underwent a major overhaul that created multiple areas of concentration and associate degree, certification, certificate and FastTrack programs. The program was in desperate
Top Quality The college president saw our new program package and he was impressed. He said they exemplified the top quality materials all programs should be using. Nancy Thibeault Department Chair Computer Information Systems
need of a comprehensive package of materials, and the department chair wanted these to reflect the program’s high-quality content and state-of-the-art technology. SOLUTION
We designed, developed and executed a complete series of color-coded fact sheets tailored to both degree and non-degree program offerings. Each fact sheet mapped both core and optional courses. We also designed, developed and executed an overview brochure highlighting the seamless educational strategy and range of education, industry and government partners contributing to the program’s success. RESULTS
The final package established a new standard in program fact sheets. It consisted of 14 components, including the comprehensive brochure, program overview and 12 two-page fact sheets for degree areas of concentration, industry certification tracks, certificate options and FastTrack programs.
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EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT
MEtaMorph Career Exploration The Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium collaborates with 58 area high schools to create seamless career-technical education programs that begin in high school and continue through college. MVTPC is a nationally recognized, award-winning program. CHALLENGE
There were two major goals. The first was to design both print and web-based curriculum targeted to 9th grade students to support early, meaningful career exploration. The second was to develop useful how-to documentation describing
National Recognition To this day, I’m astounded how well you distilled all our thinking and input into the final Executive Snapshot … I can’t tell you the number of compliments the piece has received locally and nationally. When the US Department of Education wants extra copies, you know you’ve successfully reached your target market. Tracy Jayne, Assistant Director Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium
the development and implementation process. SOLUTION
We worked with the team to pinpoint project parameters and profile the divergent target audiences. We designed the logo and visual identity, edited and helped structure curriculum and web-based content, wrote and edited the Executive Snapshot, and designed the process map. We created a custom PowerPoint presentation for the launch event and ongoing information and training programs. RESULTS
The curriculum is closing the critical 9th grade career knowledge gap. It received US Department of Education recognition and is used by schools throughout Ohio.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Self-Study for Reaccreditation Central Ohio Technical College operates four campuses in north-central Ohio. Its mission is to provide technical training and education to area students and employers, and it is one of the fastest growing two-year colleges in the state. CHALLENGE
Institutions accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association must periodically conduct complex self-reviews. COTC’s previous selfstudy resulted in multiple findings and a series of time-consuming and costly site visits and reports.
Top Quality I was confident that you would ensure our final products would be of the highest quality. I am very pleased … and proud to present them the Higher Learning Commission. As a result of the Self-Study, we have a core team of champions empowered to own their processes and outcomes. Bonnie Coe, Ph.D. President Central Ohio Technical College
SOLUTION
We worked closely with the president, project coordinator, cross-functional Steering Committee and external consultants to develop a targeted self-study report. The goals were to attain unrestricted reaccreditation and identify and substantiate significant strengths, challenges and opportunities. We also developed a compact Executive Summary suited for wider promotional distribution. RESULTS
COTC received full 10-year reaccreditation without qualification. Evaluators described the report and site visit as near to flawless as possible, and the HLC displayed the package as a model at the national conference. The process created
Spectacular Job
a foundation for the development of the college’s first comprehensive strategic plan.
My very personal congratulations on a spectacular job. I am awed by the quality. You’re truly the best. Bill Sattelmeyer Director Digital Design Media Central Ohio Technical College
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GRANT APPLICATIONS
College & Careers Transitions Initiative The Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium and Sinclair Community College collaborate to provide seamless career-technical education programs that begin in high school and continue through college. Both are nationally recognized, award-winning entities. CHALLENGE
The Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium and Sinclair Community College were working to develop a grant funding application for the College & Careers
Problem Solved
Transition Initiative sponsored by the League of Innovation. The college president
Thanks for pulling us out of the drink.
applications were compact, the League had created extremely tight maximum
Neil Herbersman Director of Grants Development Sinclair Community College
was committed to landing one of these prestigious grants. To ensure the word counts for each application category. With only four weeks until the submission deadline, the team called Crossbridge. SOLUTION
Top Quality With your help, we completed three top-quality grant applications worth $2.25 million in funding – and all three were selected for funding. We could only accept one grant award, but that effort alone created $750,000 in new funding. Ron Kindell Director Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium
We worked with the team to pinpoint guidelines, develop an accelerated timeline and create extremely tight core descriptions for common elements that applied to all three grant categories. We helped collect, interpret and illustrate key indicators in tables and graphs, fleshed out the plan of action and deliverables details. We ruthlessly edited all copy to ensure that every section in each of the three applications did not exceed the designated word count. RESULTS
All three grants were completed and submitted on time. Initially, all three were selected for funding (totaling $2.25 million), but only one grant could be awarded to the coalition under League criteria. The multiyear Engineering Technologies effort received $750,000, was successfully completed, and is now a national model.
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HOW-TO GUIDE
Insider’s Guide to Managing a Tech Prep Consortium Ohio College Tech Prep manages the statewide effort to design, develop and implement high quality, seamless technical education at the high school and college level. It is recognized as one of the leading programs in the nation. CHALLENGE
Differences in local funding, leadership capability and staffing levels created widely varied management strategies and results from the 23 consortia.
National Reputation
SOLUTION
The how-to guides you’ve helped us develop are widely regarded as some of the best examples for Tech Prep programs in the nation.
We designed, developed, executed and produced a comprehensive how-to guide
Bonnie Bensonhaver Technical Consultant Ohio Tech Prep
for managing Tech Prep consortia in Ohio. To increase consistency and support topflight performance, the guide includes useful illustrations, checklists, graphics, tools and resources to guide managers at every step. RESULTS
The initial handbook was issued to consortia directors, relevant state staff and other interested parties. It provided the focal point for a series of training and development seminars, was featured at the National Tech Prep Conference and is available for download from the Ohio Tech Prep website.
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National Science Foundation Grants Annual & Cumulative Reports – IT@Sinclair Initiative Best Practices – IT Student Retention & Success Center of Excellence – Advanced Manufacturing Education
While only one image is shown, each project typically involved multiple components for print, digital and/or web use.
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Success Stories © 2009
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ANNUAL
& CUMULATIVE REPORTS
IT@Sinclair Initiative The IT@Sinclair program champions the comprehensive design, development, implementation and continuous refreshment of IT curriculum for AAS degree programs and professional and technical certification. The initial effort was partially funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). CHALLENGE
Shortly after the IT@Sinclair Initiative was launched, the designated Principal Investigator (PI) accepted a position elsewhere, so the program lacked leadership during the critical startup months. When the new PI was appointed, he wanted to
$1.2 Million Impact There is no question your work helped us acquire the current funding, which exceeds $1.2 million in value. Without this partnership, we wouldn’t be nearly as successful as we are. David Siefert Director of Strategic Programs Sinclair Community College
ensure program results reported through FastLane and submitted as print documents were captured and reported in an accurate, consistent and high quality manner. The NSF-funded National Center of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing Education recommended he contact Crossbridge. SOLUTION
To ensure long-term consistency and to expedite data collection and reporting we created a series of models and templates. For print reports, we designed a standard annual report outline and created a template and for FastLane, we helped develop an effective strategy to offset gaps and challenges with the evolving online reporting system. RESULTS
Throughout the combined eight years of effort, we developed content for both print and FastLane annual, cumulative and final project reports for IT@Sinclair Initiative and the subsequent IT Student Retention & Success program. In total, we completed more than 19 progress and results reports, including eight annual reports (print), eight FastLane reports (online), two cumulative results reports and one executive summary.
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BEST PRACTICES
IT Student Retention & Success The IT Student Readiness & Retention effort was funded by the National Science Foundation to find ways to boost student readiness, retention and success in rigorous IT programs, and continue work begun by the IT@Sinclair program. CHALLENGE
& SOLUTION
Throughout two NSF projects spanning eight years, best practices were used to document accomplishments, provide evidence of progress and serve as the primary deliverables. We developed a master best practice structure, model and strategy to improve accuracy, speed and consistency across multiple subject-
Expertise We could not have accomplished this work without your expertise, flexibility, persistence, and insight. Charlotte Wharton Dean of Business Technologies Sinclair Community College
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matter experts ranging from curriculum development to technology to NSF project management and reporting strategies. RESULTS
We completed 14 best practices, many of which are national models: •
How to Design & Implement IT Tech Prep Programs
•
Creating a Seamless Information Technology Curriculum
•
Implementing Competency Based Learning Evaluations
•
Capturing Competency Based Employer Feedback
•
Designing & Implementing Instructor Resource Guides
•
Boosting Student Retention & Success: The CIS First-Year Experience Course
•
Understanding Drag-and-Drop Curriculum Tools: The Sinclair Curriculum Exchange (SCX) Program
•
Using the Learning Opportunity Decision Support Technology
•
Integrating Teaching and Learning: Rigor, Rhythm, and Respect
•
Designing & Implementing Student Readiness Assessments: Phase I
•
Designing & Implementing Student Readiness Assessments: Phase II Results
•
Submitting FastLane Annual Project Reports: Tips & Tricks
•
Managing for Success: The Insider’s Guide to NSF Project Management
•
Managing for Success: The Insider’s Guide to Organizational Change & Transformation
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NATIONAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Advanced Manufacturing Education Sinclair Community College is one of the leading two-year colleges in the nation, with 37,000 students attending classes online or at five campuses and learning centers in southwest Ohio. It is one of only 12 Vanguard Learning colleges in the country. CHALLENGE
The National Science Foundation awarded $6.8 million to Sinclair Community College and the University of Dayton to develop a National Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing Education (NCE/AME). The mission was to develop
Highly Successful There are only a handful of partners I consider “go-to” people, and you’re certainly on that list. Great job … You helped us take this from a vague starting point to a highly successful deliverable. David Harrison Dean Business Technologies
state-of-the-art education to support the needs of US manufacturing operations. All NSF grants require a range of extensive results-based communications. SOLUTION
Crossbridge helped design, develop and produce more than 15 critical deliverables, including eight FastLane, annual and cumulative results reports, two industry-specific training programs, multiple PowerPoint presentations, one pivotal executive summary, a marketing brochure, a professional journal article and components for the module development kit. RESULTS
The total value of the NCE/AME grant exceeded $6.8 million, and overall, Crossbridge has helped Sinclair acquire or retain close to $8.5 million in NSF project funds.
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