News

DCB ready for 2012-13 school year

By Heather Milbrath

08/07/2012

In less than two weeks, Dakota College at Bottineau’s campus will be bursting with students ready to commence another year of classes. The college has made many changes since the previous school year, including new programs, instructors and technology.

One of the things that didn’t fluctuate much from last year is the enrollment. Last fall DCB had 812 students enrolled, and the college is currently estimating around 800 students for this year.

Although there wasn’t an increase this year, the enrollment at DCB has been climbing for many years.

Ken Grosz, DCB’s dean, says that over the past decade the college has had a 30 percent increase in enrollment. Grosz contributes this increase to a good program mix.

“Our unique majors, a strong online program, a growth in the Allied Health Program, aggressive student recruitment and the addition of the football and softball programs have all contributed to our increase.” Grosz said. “DCB also has campus faculty and staff who are sincere about providing a quality education and a quality environment. We also have strong support from our foundation, alumni and the Bottineau community.”

One of the changes at DCB is the implementation of new programs. According to Grosz, many of these new programs established have been developed with the oil industry in mind. One new program is called “Land Management”. This program is also known as “right-of-way-agent”, “lease analyst” or “mineral/lease buyer”.

“Individuals in this occupation traditionally work for companies that service the oil and gas industry.” Grosz said. “They also work in the agriculture and government sectors. The DCB certification and degree will be the only such program available in the state. ”

The Land Management program at DCB is scheduled to begin in the 2013 spring semester.
DCB will also be exporting its EMT/Paramedic program in collaboration with Williston State College and the Minot Community Ambulance. The reason for this collaboration is to help provide more trained personal working in the protective services. This program will begin this fall, and will be offering classes face-to-face and via Interactive Video Instruction.

Grosz is also looking forward to the implementation of the new Honors and Capstone Programs. These are programs designed to persuade students to ‘broaden their academic experience’.

“The Honors Program will endeavor to teach students to think critically, independently and creatively.” Grosz said. “The Capstone Program is a reflection and focus of the skills and knowledge students have learned during their educational experience. It highlights the best of their work in both major and general education areas, and is presented in an electronic portfolio.”

Another big change for DCB is the new employees hired for the upcoming school year. The new administrative assistant for Academic and Student Affairs is April Abrahamson. Zach Lee is the new admissions counselor, and filling the position of the paraeducation coordinator is Madison Junker.
Four new instructors were hired at DCB, including Ken Cabarle, life science assistant professor; Margaret Bail, arts, humanities and communications instructor; Stephen Geary, health and physical education instructor, and athletic trainer; and Cory Fehringer, health and physical education instructor. Fehringer will also be a volleyball and basketball coach for DCB.

Other coaches hired at DCB include Dan Fagerlund and Denny Ziegler. Fagerlund will be the assistant football and basketball coach. Ziegler will be the assistant athletic director as well as assistant football coach.

Grosz says they are still in the process of hiring a library director, an administrative assistant and a custodian. He feels confident that these positions will be filled by the first day of the fall semester.

“I am looking forward to working with our new faculty and staff.” Grosz said. “The search committees appointed to review applications and make hiring recommendations have done an outstanding job.”

In addition to DCB’s many new programs and instructors, the college has also added new technology to its inventory. Of these updates, 30 new computers were purchased, along with new high-definition monitors, smart podiums, document cameras, a laptop cart and iPad notebooks.

The college also has to add, change and omit many courses each year. This is done to keep the programs up-to-date, and therefore all courses are under constant review. Some new courses for 2012-2013 are General Biology II, Criminal Law, World Religions, Safe Post-Harvest Handling, Specialty Cutflowers and Direct Marketing.
One other priority item for the new school year is student retention — keeping students enrolled at DCB until they graduate.

“We are working hard to improve our retention rate and will make it a focus in 2012-2013.” Grosz said.

Grosz would like to commend the faculty and staff at DCB for the great work they do to keep it a vital institution.

“It seems I hear a comment(s) everyday about how DCB has played an important and positive roll in some individual’s life.” Grosz said. “Comments like that are the result of faculty and staff who are devoted to students and like serving them.”