WNCC, CSC team up to offer nursing, community ed classes
A new agreement between Western Nebraska Community College and Chadron State College will help serve students pursuing a nursing career and community members seeking personal development.
WNCC President Dr. Todd Holcomb and CSC President Dr. Janie Park met in early May to sign two memorandums of understanding for the new partnership.
The agreements call for CSC to provide space and facility use in Chadron for WNCC to offer its Basic Nursing Assistant program to northwest Nebraska residents. WNCC also will provide non-credit continuing education and personal development courses in the Chadron area.
Park said the new agreement with the Scottsbluff-based institution will help serve an educational need in the northern Panhandle with courses that do not align with CSC’s mission. In addition to a Certified Nursing Assistant license, people will be able to tap the knowledge of other skilled community members – the courses may range in anything from cooking to basic computer operation.
“WNCC and Chadron State have long been partners in educating the region. Also, WNCC remains the largest source of transfer students for CSC,” Park said. “We appreciate Dr. Holcomb’s spirit of cooperation and look forward to helping put these exciting new offerings into action.”
Holcomb also said the partnership will be a valuable asset to the region.
“WNCC is constantly looking for opportunities to collaborate with Chadron State College to better serve the entire Panhandle of Nebraska,” Holcomb said. “These bilateral agreements enable the expansion of course offerings in northwestern Nebraska, which furthers the mission of WNCC to assure learning opportunities for all.”
Dr. Lois Veath, CSC vice president for academic affairs, said the new agreement will help CSC’s health professions students to attain Certified Nursing Assistant license, which is required to job shadow at many health care facilities.
“In the past, the students have been required to go back to their hometowns or other communities to earn that certification,” she said. “It’s a huge service for our students and we’re delighted to be partners with WNCC. We can’t offer those courses, but we can provide the infrastructure and support for them to operate here.”
Category: Campus News