Leveling the Field: Expanding Access to Prior Learning Assessment at FRCC

Michael Gulliksen, Dolly Rosenbrook, and Xinyu Zhang, Front Range Community College

Learn how Front Range Community College responded to the REACH initiative challenge by launching a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) campaign. This grant team will present our strategies, activities, and results.

Unpacking Insights: Sharing and Analyzing the CCCS Adult Learner Board Report as a Group

Li-ling Hsu, CCCS

Data is only valuable if we can glean insights and translate into actionable solutions. In this discussion session, guided questions will drive this data utilization conversation. Before the Summit, participants will be expected to read an adult learner report and come prepared to discuss the following questions:

1. What three trends does the report reveal?
2. What are the primary themes or conclusions?
3. How did previous year’s strategies affect the data?
4. What information is critical to address short- and long-term adult learners’ needs?
5. What information is missing that your college will need to better serve adult learners?
6. What information is ‘nice-to-know’ but not ‘must-know’?

Presentation 1:

Momentum: Stackable Credential Pathways and Credit for Prior Learning

Ruthanne Orihuela, Emily Millican, Allana Farley, and Madelyn Oaks, Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE)

Colorado’s Senate Bill 22-192 mandates the creation of stackable credential pathways in five high value industries by 2025. In this session, Colorado Department of Higher Education staff explore the ways in which industry certifications, work-based learning, and non-credit learning experiences can be aligned with postsecondary course competencies in order to create more seamless credit for prior learning (CPL) opportunities for adult learners. With CPL opportunities, learner/earners can reach their next-level education goals more quickly, and this education can launch them to the next stage in their career trajectory, moving more Coloradans more quickly toward family-sustaining wage jobs.

Presentation 2:

Guiding the Path Towards Equitable Stackability for Adult Learners

Dr. Disraelly Cruz, Education Strategy Group (ESG)

From Education Strategy Group’s (ESG) national work, we’ve learned that too often the focus has been put on the ability for a credential to be stacked, rather than the ability for an adult learner to stack a credential. Success is found when a strong learning recognition policy is in place and students, through navigation, leverage that policy to continue their education and training. To support the institutions in reframing stackability policy to be student-centered, ESG released the Stackability Guide, structured around four evidence-based pillars. Participants will learn about each pillar and institutional examples.

Presentation 1:

NJC Adult Learner Success Update

Jamie Giacomini, Sam Soliman, Dr. Veronica Koehn, and Heather Reid, Northeastern Junior College

NJC utilized the Lumina Adult Learner grant to increase awareness of current adult learner successes and opportunities for growth within current certificate and degree programs. The Lumina grant was used to offer full CDL Class A scholarships to post traditional learners and adult learners of color. Through this expedited course, adult learners with their CPL were able to prepare for the final examinations needs to obtain their CDL. Adult learner skill development and preparation was targeted through providing a basic computer and digital literacy noncredit course at both the Sterling and Yuma campus.

Presentation 2:

Spanish Language Resource for Colorado Adult Learners

Kayce O’Brien, Arapahoe Community College

Join ACC to learn how we have utilized grant funding from the Lumina Foundation to create materials & resources in Spanish, provide Spanish translation services across the college and are working to create an adult-learner hub space.

Will ChatBots Change Homework Forever?

Dr. Dennis Natali, Pikes Peak State College

Since November 2022, the release of ChatGPT, GPT4, and now Google Bard has changed how the world accesses information. So, how can the professional educator use this natural language technology to improve content delivery while at the same time holding firm to the rigid standard of students’ mastery of the deliverables?
Dr. Dennis Natali is a business professor and subject matter expert in the role of ChatBots advantages and disadvantages for the college curriculum. Bring your laptops and get ready for a very interactive discussion on how you can protect the curriculum while reaching new vistas with natural language technology.