These are but a few examples of the projects on community college campuses designed to help the college address the requirements of a rapidly developing global economy.  These projects will be shared at a conference that will be attended by more than two hundred people representing 23 colleges of the North Carolina Community College System.

"Best practices" presentations are part of the Global Education Follow-Up Conference sponsored by the North Carolina Community College System.  Nash Community College in Rocky Mount hosts the conference, which is a follow-up to the first highly successful meeting held in the Triangle last March.  The follow-up conference begins Tuesday, October 23 at 1:00 p.m. at the Business and Industry Center/Brown Auditorium on the NCC campus.

The theme for this second conference is Developing a Globally and Multiculturally Competent Citizenry.  The ultimate goal of the NCCCS is to have every community college equipped with a plan that will make global education a part of its daily operation.  That initial meeting in March set the stage for the October 23 gathering.  Representatives of 23 colleges will present their "best practices" that are the result of action plans written at the first conference.

System President H. Martin Lancaster will introduce Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue. In her address the Lt. Governor will discuss the effects of globalization on education in North Carolina.

Lancaster says it’s imperative that our colleges forge a plan to address globally driven needs, especially in business.  "Now more than ever we must be responsive to the demands and challenges of the new globally competitive economy and begin to reshape our identity," says Lancaster.  "If we are to survive and thrive in the 21^st century, higher education must become international in its focus."

Dr. Edward Gordon, President of Imperial Consulting Firm, and a nationally respected expert on the global economy will discuss how the globalization of business and the rapid advance of technology have outstripped our supply of skilled workers.  He will offer measures for developing policies and programs for producing more competitive workers.

Community college students, some international, and community college instructors will have an opportunity to share experiences, particularly about putting best practices to the test.

Haywood Community College and Regional Technologies Strategies have a Model for Global Education.  Stuart Rosenfeld, RTS President and Greg Rutherford from Haywood CC will share information about this collaborative involving 30 community colleges across the country and four foreign countries.  The objectives of the partnership are learning, innovation and research.

Not only are colleges involved, Blue Ridge Community College has a partnership with Hillendale Elementary School that is helping to Prepare a Diverse Workforce.  The information session will focus on creative ways to meet the educational needs of the entire family.

In addition to hearing how colleges are focusing on specific needs, other issues covered will include:  "What to do when jobs go elsewhere?" and "Implementing an International Business Curriculum."  These topics reflect the importance of our community colleges in responding to community needs and college requirements.

The conference begins at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23 and concludes at 1:00 on Wednesday.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provided funding for the conference.

Additional information about the conference may be found on the NCCCS Web site at:
http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/Global/global_education_conference__proceedings_report.htm

-NCCCS-

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