Cape College Center rolls with the changes

As the Cape College Center begins its sixth fall semester, leaders involved agree it has a bright future.

The center, which is a partnership among Southeast Missouri State University, Three Rivers College and Mineral Area College, was approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education in December 2009, with the first class in June 2010 and the first full semester starting that August. It is in the Cape Girardeau School District's Career and Technology Center.

Since forming, the center has gone through significant changes. Formerly called the Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education, the center was renamed in fall 2014. There also have been changes in leadership at Southeast and Three Rivers.

Former Southeast president Kenneth Dobbins, succeeded by Carlos Vargas-Aburto, retired this summer, and former Three Rivers president Devin Stephenson resigned in June. Stephenson was replaced by Wes Payne, previously the college's vice president for learning.

The previous leaders created an initial three-year operating agreement, but it has since expired. Payne said a new agreement is being developed, with a completion goal set for the beginning of the spring semester.

Cape College Center students Tyler Kinder, left, Alexius Welker, center, and Morgan Beggs use the study room between classes Wednesday at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. (Laura Simon)

"There are some minor things that we could fix that would make it easier for students," Payne said, adding the most complex piece is the federal financial-aid process.

"It works, but it could be easier. It could be more streamlined," he said. "That is not necessarily an issue with how we set the partnership up, anymore than it is the complexity of the rules and regulations."

Southeast handles federal financial aid, and Three Rivers processes state aid.

"What we're trying to accomplish is the student has a seamless process for whatever they're wanting to do -- filling out one application, one set of paperwork, and then (all involved institutions) take care of everything on the back end," he said.

As they revise the agreement, leaders also are focusing on improving student advising, Payne said, and placing and keeping students on a path that's right for them.

"Through all of us working together and keeping the needs of the student at the forefront, we are able to do something that most places cannot, which is actually partner and cooperate so that the student benefits," Payne said. "And I think the partnership does an extremely good job of filling a need and is a great example of how different parts of higher education can come together to benefit the students in the community."

Enrollment

An Associate of Arts degree is offered by Three Rivers at the Cape College Center, and an Associate of Applied Science is offered through Mineral Area College. Southeast and Three Rivers split general education offerings.

All courses applicable to the Associate of Arts degree are recorded at Southeast and Three Rivers at the end of each semester, and shared. Tuition is set at $163 per credit hour, which is the Three Rivers College out-of-district rate.

Debbie Below, vice president for enrollment management and student success and dean of students at Southeast, said enrollment at the center has ranged from about 200 to 280.

Nearly 220 students are enrolled this semester, with 178 in the Associate of Arts program and 41 earning an Associate of Applied Science.

Steven Kurtz, president of Mineral Area College, said enrollment hasn't yet been completed for the Associate of Applied Science, so those numbers are likely to increase.

A majority of the students at the center are from Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, Below said, with a handful of others from Bollinger, Stoddard and Perry counties and other outlying areas.

Enrollment has been higher in the past, Below said, but there has been a decline in the adult student population that also has affected Southeast's enrollment.

"So, it's a very important educational offering to have, but enrollment will fluctuate based on the needs of the community at the time," she said.

Payne said Three Rivers is pleased with enrollment, but those involved in the partnership always would like to see numbers grow.

"I guess the most accurate way to put it is, if we hit 5,000 students there, we'd want 5,500," he said. "Our job and our viewpoint is we want to serve students. All of us agree on that. The more students we can serve, the happier we are."

Looking ahead

The center includes four classrooms with office space, but more classroom space could become available.

In April, voters in the Cape Girardeau School District approved a $20 million bond issue, part of which includes an expansion at the Career and Technology Center.

With few classrooms, Below said, it is limited in space to create what feels like a college environment.

"So, that added space will, I think, certainly help students be part of a larger college community," she said.

At the same time, the center also serves as a way for students to decide whether higher education is a good fit for them, Below said, "and they want to start in a small environment that may not feel overwhelming to them. We've seen students do very well by getting that personal attention in a very small classroom environment."

Before the partnership with Southeast and Three Rivers, Mineral Area already had been partnering with the Career and Technology Center for more than 20 years, Kurtz said.

"As they progress with the construction and the evaluation of the programs that they have forthcoming, we would definitely be interested in moving forward with developing the programs they would like to have," Kurtz said. "We've done that before with Southeast and Three Rivers there, and I think you'll see great things coming for the Cape College Center."

klamb@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3639

Pertinent address:

1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.