IN SOUTHERN DALLAS COUNTY AND SO HAS A REAL COMMITMENT TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND
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ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY.SO THAT'S KIND OF THE TEAM THAT WILL BE JOINING US IN THIS CONVERSATION TODAY.
WE'VE GOT A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET TO IN THE TIME THAT WE HAVE AND JUST SORT OF HAVE A CONVERSATION AROUND THESE ISSUES.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL START WITH WITH OUR CHAIR, CHAIR FLORES, TO PROVIDE SOME OPENING REMARKS AND TO HELP FRAME THE CONVERSATION TODAY.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU, JUSTIN, AND GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO OUR FIRST VIRTUAL TRUSTEE TOWN HALL TODAY.
WE WILL HAVE A SERIES OF THESE TOWN HALLS BECAUSE, AS JUSTIN SAID, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU, THE PUBLIC TO BE INFORMED ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION THAT WE ARE UNDERGOING AS YOUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IN DALLAS COUNTY.
SO ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF DALLAS COLLEGE, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE LOGGED IN SO WE CAN SHARE WITH YOU WHY THE MOVE TO DALLAS COLLEGE.
I ALSO WANT TO ADD MY WELCOME TO OUR PANELISTS, REPRESENTATIVE [INAUDIBLE], MR. RADER AND OF COURSE, CHANCELLOR MAY.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THE MOVE TO DALLAS COLLEGE.
WE ALSO THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP YOU PROVIDE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
ONE OF OUR OVERALL PURPOSES AS A COLLEGE IS ENSURING DALLAS COUNTY HAS A VIBRANT, GROWING ECONOMY FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
WE DO THAT BY EDUCATING STUDENTS WHO ARE SKILL, READY, WORK READY AND ARE TRANSFER READY.
WHEN DR. MAY AND HIS LEADERSHIP TEAM STARTED LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR STUDENTS.
THEY REALIZED THAT OUR STRUCTURE WAS CREATING SOME BARRIERS THAT MAY CAUSE SOME OF THEM NOT TO COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS.
AND THIS WAS JUST UNACCEPTABLE.
OUR SEVEN COLLEGES WERE ALL STRUCTURED DIFFERENTLY AND HAD DIFFERENT PROCESSES.
SO THE STRUCTURE WE HAD IN PLACE FOR OVER 50 YEARS NO LONGER WORKED IN TODAY'S WORLD.
WE NEEDED TO HAVE CONSISTENT PROCESSES ACROSS THE COLLEGES.
SO WE BECAME ONE DALLAS COLLEGE WITH SEVEN CAMPUSES.
NOW, WITH THE MOVE TO DALLAS COLLEGE, WE'RE REALIZING MANY BENEFITS.
CHIEF AMONG THEM IS THAT IT WILL ALLOW US TO GRADUATE MORE STUDENTS AT REDUCED COST AND IT WILL SHORTEN THE TIME IT TAKES FOR THEM TO EARN A DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE.
A FEW YEARS AGO, WHEN I ASKED FOR THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS OUR STUDENTS TAKE DATA SHOWS THAT IT WAS AN ASTOUNDING 90 CREDIT HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
NO STUDENTS SHOULD BE TAKING MORE THAN 60 CREDIT HOURS BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE NUMBER OF HOURS NEEDED FOR AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE.
THAT WAS A WAKE UP CALL AND WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS THAT SO STUDENTS COULD EXIT FROM OUR COLLEGES WITH THE NUMBER OF HOURS REQUIRED AND NOT THE EXCESS HOURS THEY WERE TAKING.
THEY WERE NEEDLESSLY SPENDING MORE DOLLARS IN TUITION AND BOOKS THAN WAS REQUIRED FOR THEIR DEGREE.
THEY WERE WITH US MORE TIME THAN WAS NECESSARY.
SO ALL OF WHAT WE ARE DOING AND THE DALLAS COLLEGE ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL IS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT STUDENTS TO TAKE ONLY THE COURSES THAT ARE NEEDED THROUGH CONSISTENT PROCESSES TO ENROLL, TO PERSIST AND TO COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION WITH US.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, JUSTIN, THOSE ARE SOME PRIMARY RATIONALES FOR TRANSFORMING TO DALLAS COLLEGE.
AND I'M SURE SOME OF MY BOARD COLLEAGUES HAVE ADDITIONAL ONES, WHICH YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT IN FUTURE TOWN HALLS THAT WE'LL BE HOLDING.
GREAT, THANK YOU CHAIR FLORES FOR GETTING US STARTED.
AND AS I SAID, WE'VE GOT A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS TO GET TO.
AND I'M GOING TO BEGIN WITH WITH OUR CHANCELLOR, DR. MAY, TO GET US STARTED.
AND DR. MAY AS CHAIR FLORES WAS REFERENCING, WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS PERIOD OF TRANSITION.
GIVE US SOME SOME BACKGROUND ON THE WHY THE MOVE TO ONE COLLEGE WAS SO IMPORTANT FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PULLING US TOGETHER TODAY.
AND THANKS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP WITH OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES, REALLY.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE BEGAN TO LOOK AT THE OUR COMMUNITY, THE CHANGING JOBS THAT WERE THERE, THE NEED FOR MORE PEOPLE TO GET INTO COLLEGE, WE REALIZED THAT WE WERE LEAVING TOO MANY PEOPLE BEHIND.
AND WE ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT PEOPLE WERE ACCESSING US DIFFERENTLY THAN THEY WERE BEFORE.
WHEN THE DISTRICT WAS CREATED FIFTY FOUR YEARS AGO, THERE WAS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION THERE.
FOLKS WERE ON THEIR OWN TO GET TO COLLEGE.
THEY TEND TO FOCUS ON A SMALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION AROUND EACH OF OUR LOCATIONS AND REALLY COMMUTE TO THAT AREA.
TODAY, WE SAW THAT UP TO TWENTY FOUR THOUSAND OF OUR STUDENTS WERE GOING TO MULTIPLE CAMPUSES ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
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IN OTHER WORDS, THEY HAD STARTED TREATING OUR INSTITUTIONS LIKE WE WERE A SINGLE COLLEGE.AND IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE NOT EVERY COLLEGE HAS THE EXACT SAME PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
AND OF COURSE, WHAT THEY WERE DOING WAS TRYING TO MAXIMIZE THEIR EFFICIENCY.
SO EVEN IF A DEGREE WAS BEING OFFERED BY ONE LOCATION THAT THEY LIVED IN ANOTHER, THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE AS MANY COURSES AS THEY COULD CLOSE TO HOME, EVEN THOUGH THEY NEEDED TO TRAVEL TO GET TO THE DEGREE.
SO AS WE LOOKED AT THAT THE AND REALIZED THAT THAT WE WERE REALLY CREATING A BARRIER FOR OUR STUDENTS.
IN FACT, WE DISCOVERED THAT UP TO ALMOST A THOUSAND STUDENTS A YEAR HAD MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEGREE EXCEPT FOR ONE, WHICH IS KIND OF A TECHNICAL ACCREDITORS REQUIREMENT THAT TWENTY FIVE PERCENT OF THE COURSES MUST BE EARNED FROM THE INSTITUTION TO WHICH THEY'RE GETTING THE DEGREE.
SO THEY MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS BUT COULDN'T GET THE DEGREE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH COURSES FROM ANY ONE OF OUR INSTITUTIONS.
WELL, WHEN I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, IT WAS A REALLY NOT MUCH OF A DECISION TO GO DIRECTLY TO OUR BOARD, TO MEET WITH THE BOARD AND ASK THAT WE CONSIDER CONSOLIDATING OUR COLLEGES INTO A SINGLE INSTITUTION NOW, DALLAS COLLEGE, TO ENABLE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF MORE PEOPLE TO EARN A DEGREE EACH YEAR WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR AND BEING ABLE TO REALLY TAKE AND CONTINUE TO TAKE COURSES AND PURSUE PROGRAMS ON THEIR OWN TERMS. THANK YOU, DR. MAY.
I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.
AND LET ME TURN BACK TO YOU, CHAIR FLORES, AS THE CHANCELLOR REFERENCED CLEARLY, THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO ENSURE THAT AS WE WERE MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION, THAT THE BOARD WAS ENGAGED AND THE BOARD HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THIS MOVE TO DALLAS COLLEGE.
WHAT ABOUT THIS PLAN MOST RESONATED WITH YOU? THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, JUSTIN.
SO ONE OF THE BOARD'S TOP PRIORITIES IS TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON INCOME DISPARITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AS YOU KNOW, THAT'S A BIG ISSUE.
THE POVERTY LEVEL IN DALLAS AND OTHER AREAS OF DALLAS COUNTY IS UNACCEPTABLY HIGH.
STATISTICS SOLIDLY DEMONSTRATE THAT EDUCATION ALLEVIATES POVERTY.
BY HELPING OUR STUDENTS COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION FASTER, INCLUDING THOSE FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
THEY CAN ENTER THE WORKFORCE FASTER AND FIND SUSTAINABLE CAREERS THAT PAY GOOD SALARIES.
TO REPEAT, IT HELPS THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE TRAPPED.
LOW WAGE JOBS WHO ARE IN GENERATIONAL POVERTY GAIN SKILLS THAT QUALIFY THEM FOR BETTER PAYING JOBS AND HOPEFULLY SOME OF THOSE THAT BEGIN ON THIS PATH TO EARN A CERTIFICATE OR TWO YEAR DEGREE WILL WANT TO GO ON TO OBTAIN THEIR BACHELOR'S OR HIGHER DEGREES AT A UNIVERSITY.
THIS CAN BE FACILITATED, AS THE CHANCELLOR SAID, BY REMOVING BARRIERS AND DALLAS COLLEGE IS REMOVING BARRIERS, STRUCTURAL AND OTHERWISE.
SO HELPING STUDENTS TO MOVE UP INTO THE MIDDLE CLASS BY REMOVING STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO THEM COMPLETING THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS IS WHAT RESONATED MOST WITH ME SETTING UP PROCESSES THAT ARE CONSISTENT ACROSS THE COLLEGE FOR ALL STUDENTS.
IT'S ALSO WHAT RESONATED MOST WITH ME, BECAUSE FOR FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS, THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUREAUCRACY CAN BE DAUNTING.
WE NEED TO MAKE IT USER FRIENDLY AND NOT HAVE STUDENTS OPT OUT WHEN TRYING TO ENROLL FOR THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE THE BEGINNING PROCESS WAS TOO DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO NAVIGATE.
GREAT, THANK YOU CHAIR FLORES.
CLEARLY, YOU HAVE A PERSPECTIVE ON EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT ISSUES.
AS A FORMER DISD TRUSTEE, YOU'RE KEENLY AWARE OF THE SUPPORT SYSTEM NEEDED FOR MANY OF OUR STUDENTS TO NAVIGATE THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION MANY OF WHOM ARE FIRST TIME HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT BARRIERS SHOULD DALLAS COLLEGE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO ADDRESS IN THIS ORGANIZATION?
THANKS FOR INVITING ME TO PARTICIPATE HERE.
I HAVE PERSPECTIVES THAT ARE INFORMED NOT ONLY BY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT I WILL SHARE IN A MOMENT BUT LOOKING IN THE ROLE THAT DALLAS COLLEGE PLAYS THAT WE ALSO EMPLOY AT THE STATE.
I CAN'T UNDERSCORE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SORT OF THE PIECE THAT DALLAS OCCUPIES IN THE PRE K PIPELINE.
THE ONE, I GUESS, CRITICISM OR PLEAD THAT I RECEIVED FROM BUSINESS OWNERS AND I
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AM ONE WE EMPLOY ABOUT 45 PEOPLE IN THE COMPANY.THE NUMBER ONE CRITICISM WE NEED, WE ARE PREPARED FOR HUMAN CAPITAL.
THAT STANDS IN OPPOSITION OF WHAT WE HEAR.
WE HEAR ABOUT INCENTIVES THAT BUSINESSES NEED TO BE GETTING.
REALLY, THE NUMBER ONE ECONOMIC ISSUE IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN THE STATE.
WE HAVEN'T INVESTED IN IT AT GREAT LENGTH.
I AM PLEASED ABOUT THE LEGISLATURES MOVE BY FUND, ENRICH PRE K DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I KNOW THAT DALLAS HAS PLAYED A ROLE IN THAT.
YOU ARE GOING TO PREPARE THE PRE K TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE END OF THE SPECTRUM, THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO 4 YEAR SCHOOLS THAT'S YOUR SWEET SPOT AND THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE.
I'LL WEAVE MY PERSONAL CONVERSATION IN A MINUTE.
I HAD A CONVERSATION AND HE WAS A CHAIR OF YOUR FOUNDATION IF DALLAS FELL INTO THE OCEAN TOMORROW, IT WOULD BE SEVERELY IMPAIRED.
WE CAN OVERCOME SMU GOING AWAY AND WE CAN'T OVERCOME LOSING THE WORK THAT DALLAS COLLEGE DOES.
YOU ASKED ME KIND OF HOW I LOOK AT THIS CONTINUUM OF PRE K THROUGH COLLEGE, AT ANY NUMBER OF PORTIONS ALONG THE WAY WHETHER IT IS AT 4 YEAR OLDS OR WHETHER IT IS FOR 18 YEAR OLDS THERE'S NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT KIDS FALL OFF TRACK AND SOME OF IT RELATES TO HEALTH CHALLENGES AND SOME OF IT RELATES TO FAMILY CHALLENGES AND SOME OF IT RELATES TO POVERTY.
LATER AS I SAW AS A TRUSTEE WAS THAT TRANSITION FROM 11 12TH GRADE TO UNIVERSITY AND THE BIG GAP THAT OFTEN TIMES THAT PARENTS COULD NOT DREAM ABOUT COLLEGE FOR THEIR KIDS.
THEREFORE, THEIR KIDS WOULD NOT DREAM ABOUT IT.
THAT'S WHY TRUSTEE FLORES AND I TEAMED UP WHICH ALLOWS SPANISH PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND AND HAVE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE GATING ITEMS WERE TO GET THE KIDS TO COLLEGE.
IT WASN'T FOR LACK OF DESIRE OR LACK OF HOPE.
WE ALL SHARE THE SAME DREAMS AND ASPIRATION FOR OUR KIDS.
IT WAS THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGES RELATED TO FAFSA, FINANCIAL AID, SIGNING UP KIDS TO CLASS, THE DOCUMENTS THAT ONE NEED, REGARDING WHAT SAT WERE.
ALL OF THOSE ITEMS WERE AN OBSTACLE FOR FIRST GENERATION FAMILIES LIKE MINE WAS WHEN MY FAMILY GRADUATED IN THE 50'S.
COMPOUNDING THAT WAS THE DELIVERY OF THE CONTENT IN SPANISH WHICH DID NOT EXIST ANYWHERE WAS THEN DCCCD OR NDISD.
CREATING A BILINGUAL SENSITIVE COLLEGE PROGRAM REMOVED A LOT OF THE HURDLE.
I RUN INTO GRADUATES NOW THROUGHOUT YOUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR TEACHERS AND FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND IT IS A TESTAMENT HOW REMOVING THESE CHOKE POINTS FROM THE PIPELINE MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND IT ALLOWS US TO DO SOMETHING SCALEABLE IN ALLOWING TO GROW OUR HUMAN CAPITAL.
>> YOU REFERENCED QUITE A BIT OF THE PIPELINE STARTING IN PRE K AND REFERENCE SOME OF THE FOCUS.
YOU WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE AND SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF OUR FOCUS THERE.
[00:15:09]
THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING AND YOUR HELP WAS WITH YOUR ROLE IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR HELPING US GET THE AUTHORITY FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREE.
IT WAS NOT ABOUT EXPANDING THE MISSION BUT SOLVING A BIG PROBLEM IN DALLAS COUNTY.
ONE, WE NEED MORE YOUNG CHILDREN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PRE K AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS. WE KNOW THAT'S TIE TO GREATER SUCCESS AND THE ABILITY TO GET THE EARLY FOUNDATION IS CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT BUT WE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM.
WE WERE SHORT ABOUT 45 HUNDRED PRESCHOOL TEACHERS AND WE REALLY HAVE NO CAPACITY TO GROW THAT WITHOUT CREATING NEW WAY AND OPPORTUNITY.
WE DID GO TO THE LEGISLATURE AND WE ASKED FOR THE AUTHORITY TO OFFER AND AWARD DEGREES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION.
GREAT NEWS IS WE WERE APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
WE WERE APPROVED BY THE CREDITOR.
THIS FALL WE STARTED FIRST CLASS OFFERING THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE FOCUSED ON THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF HELPING INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GROWN UP IN COMMUNITIES WITHIN DALLAS COUNTY TO STAY IN THE COMMUNITIES AND RAISE THEIR FAMILY BUT ALSO HAVE A GREAT JOB OF HELPING GROW OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND GET THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT THEY NEED TO GET THE GREAT FOUNDATION TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION.
AGAIN, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP.
YOU WERE ONE OF THE FIRST TO REACH OUT TO SIGN ON BOARD WITH THE PARTICULAR BILL AND SAID WE NEED TO GET THIS DONE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
>> OUR FOCUS ON WORK FORCE, YOU HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN NUMBER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND WE KNOW THEY NEED TO INCREASE IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR.
FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT SKILL SETS SHOULD STUDENTS HAVE UPON GRADUATION TO ACHIEVE GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT?
>> TESTING, ONE, TWO, THREE MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY.
SEEING A LOT OF GROWTH OVER THE LAST 7Â YEARS APPROXIMATELY 30 THOUSAND NEW JOBS CREATED IN THE QUARTER.
LOGISTICS, WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTIONS COMING TOGETHER.
THE BASIC SKILLS LEVEL ARE THE SAME TO SOME EXTENT AND THAT'S COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES, INTERACTING WITH YOUR MANAGEMENT, INTERACTING WITH OTHER EMPLOYEES.
THOSE ARE THE SAME SKILLS THAT I HAVE HEARD THROUGH MY LIFE.
WE STILL GOT THOSE TO CONTINUE WITH.
OUR LOGISTICS SYSTEMS AND MANUFACTURING IS GROWING VERY RAPIDLY WITH HIGH TECH OR MORE TECHNOLOGY INVOLVE IN THE WAY OF COMPUTERS, IN THE WAY OF AI, AND OTHER SUPPORT STRUCTURES WITHIN SOME OF THESE WAREHOUSES.
TODAY'S WAREHOUSING DISTRIBUTION CENTERS ARE FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND OVER 2,000Â SQUARE FEET.
VAST CONVEYORS SYSTEM, COMPUTER OPERATED.
MANUFACTURING IS THE SAME BUT THERE ARE SKILL LEVELS THAT COME TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATION IS ONE OF THEM, PROBLEM SOLVING, TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES, HANDS ON TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES, MECHANICAL SKILLS THOSE ARE STILL VIABLE IN WORKING IN WAREHOUSE AND MANUFACTURING FACILITY.
WE ARE SEEING MORE, AS A MENTIONED, TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITIES, TECHNOLOGY
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TRAINING.WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 2 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING WITHIN 30Â MINUTES OF DALLAS COUNTY.
I BELIEVE THE POPULATION OF THE JOB FORCE THAT'S IN THE 2 MILLION POPULATION IS BASICALLY SOUTHERN DALLAS.
THE SKILL SET, UNDERSTAND HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS, WHICH I LEARN EVERY DAY SINCE WE ARE NOW ON VIRTUAL.
IT IS DIFFERENT ON THAT BASIS.
REAL QUESTION WE ARE SPENDING OUR TIME IN THIS FORMAT STARING AT SCREENS AND LEARNING ALONG THE WAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
LET ME SHIFT BACK TO YOU IF WE COULD, ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE IN MOVING TO DALLAS COLLEGE WE MOVED TO A SCHOOL OF STRUCTURE.
CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT THAT AND HOW THE STRUCTURE WILL IMPROVE HOW STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTION PROMISE? YOU ARE MUTED DR. MAY.
YOU KNOW, LET ME TAKE THIS CONCEPT OF SCHOOLS AND TRANSLATE INTO EVERY DAY ENGLISH TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
JUST EXACTLY MIKE WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.
HE'S WORKING IN SOUTH DALLAS TRYING TO GROW THE ECONOMIC AND TRYING TO BRING BUSINESS AND TRYING TO GET JOBS INTO THE COMMUNITY AND IT CAN'T BE DONE TODAY WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM HIGHER EDUCATION.
EVERY JOB THAT HE IS BRINGING TO THE COMMUNITY REQUIRES A TYPE OF CERTIFICATION.
MAY NOT REQUIRED A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE BUT ENROLL IN ONE OF THE COLLEGES TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED.
LEADERSHIP PAYS ATTENTION TO THAT AND THEY DON'T OFFER EVERY PROGRAM, SO WHAT WE FOUND OURSELF DOING AS A COMPANY LOCATING SOUTH DALLAS, SOMEBODY HAD TO GO OUT AND BEG OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO BEG IN AND HELP WITH THE BUSINESS, NOT IN THE REGION.
SO NOW AS DALLAS COLLEGE OUR PROGRAMS ARE NOT DIVIDED UP GEOGRAPHICALLY.
WE ALL SERVE THE ENTIRE REGION.
OUR PROGRAMS THERE ARE TO HELP EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL, EMPLOYER, EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT WE VERB IN DALLAS COUNTY.
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE LOGISTICS AND NEED HELP ON THE CAN COMPUTER SIDE OR ON THE OPERATOR SIDE WITH A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE OR MANUFACTURING FACILITY AND YOU NEED MACHINE TOOLS OR WELDING OR SOME TYPE OF ADVANCE ROBOTICS OR A MANUFACTURER, WE CAN BRING ALL OF THE SOURCES TO DO THREE THINGS: MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SPECIFIC EMPLOYER, IDENTIFY LOCAL INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN LEARN THOSE SKILLS AND TAKE THOSE JOBS AND BE THERE FOR THE LONG RUN TO HELP THE COMMUNITY TO GROW.
IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT ORGANIZING THE SCHOOL BUT TAKING THE SCHOOL SO THAT THEY CAN ORGANIZE AROUND THE PROBLEM.
PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUALS, EMPLOYERS AND COMMUNITIES AND THAT'S OUR GOAL GOING FORWARD TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE AND MEET THE NEEDS OF EACH OF THOSE.
THE STATE HAS A COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT FOR THOSE WHO NEED YOU ARE A KEY SUPPORTER OF THAT.
CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK DALLAS COLLEGE SHOULD BE DOING TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS?
>> IN ANSWERING THAT, I'M GOING TO DISCUSS MY PERSONAL HISTORY A LITTLE BIT.
NEITHER OF MY PARENTS WHEN I WAS BORN NEITHER OF MY PARENTS HAD GONE TO COLLEGE.
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THEY IMMIGRATED TO THIS COUNTRY AND HARD WORKERS.MY DAD TO THIS DAY IS SPANISH DOMINANT.
MY MOM HAD GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES.
I WATCHED, I ACTUALLY HAD FRONT SEAT TO APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO OUR FAMILY AND GETTING FROM ONE STATION OF LIFE TO THE NEXT.
I WATCHED MY MOTHER WORK HER WAY THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND GO TO NIGHT SCHOOL AND I SAW HER WALK ACROSS WHAT WAS THE GYM FLOOR AT THIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO RECEIVE HER ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE.
I REMEMBER HOW EXCITED WE WERE AS A FAMILY FOR HER FOR THIS ACHIEVEMENT.
BUT WHAT I DIDN'T APPRECIATE HOW IT WAS GOING TO CHANGE OUR FAMILY, NOT IN THE NEAR TERM, NOT JUST FOR MY MOM'S GENERATION BUT ALSO FOR OUR SISTER AND ME.
ONCE A FAMILY IS ABLE TO ACCESS THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OPPORTUNITY THAT IS COLLEGE, THEN IT CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY OF THE FAMILY LONG INTO THE FUTURE.
SO, YOU KNOW, SHE ULTIMATELY WENT TO PUBLIC UNIVERSITY AND GOT A 4 YEAR DEGREE AND BECAME A TEACHER.
MY FATHER KNEW 7TH GRADE EDUCATION AND TAUGHT ME THE HARD WORK AND DIDN'T HELP ME BEYOND MIDDLE SCHOOL.
IT WAS REALLY MY MOM WHO CARRYING THE LABORING WORK TO HARD WORKING IMMIGRANTS TO COLLEGE GRADUATES.
NOW, MY DAUGHTER I GOT A JUNIOR AND A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL.
FOR MY DAUGHTERS THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE COLLEGE AND THEN GRADUATE SCHOOL SO THAT THEIR SKILL SET IS AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL.
WE KNOW THAT 60 70% OF THE JOBS THAT MY DAUGHTER WILL HAVE HAVEN'T BEEN INVENTED YET THAT'S WHY THE RESPONSE WAS IMPORTANT ON HOW THE WAREHOUSES HAS CHANGED.
I REALLY DO SUPPORT 60/30 TEXAS PLAN.
THE ONLY WAY WE GET PEOPLE FROM ONE STATION IN LIFE TO THE NEXT STATION IS BY GETTING THEM TO INCREASE THEIR SKILL SETS.
WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR EDUCATED POPULATION.
THEY NEED TO BE COMPLETING CERTIFICATE OR DEGREE PROGRAMS. THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE IDENTIFIABLE MARKETABLE SKILLS.
SOME OF THEM WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN THE FUTURE.
FINALLY, IT IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT LIMITS INDIVIDUALS FREEDOM CAPPING STUDENT LOAN DEBT OR PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES ALONG THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OPPORTUNITY THAT I WAS DISCUSSING.
I AM A SUPPORTER OF DALLAS COUNTY LAUNCHED IN 2017 IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PARTNERSHIP AND I COMMEND TRUSTEE FLORES AND THE DALLAS BY ADOPTING THE GOALS.
THE ONLY WAY WE CHANGE THE LIVES OF FAMILIES LIKE MINE AND DO THAT AT SCALE FOR ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE IS WITH INSTITUTIONS LIKE DALLAS COLLEGE.
CHAIR FLORES, I WILL TURN BACK TO YOU.
SAME THREAD OF WORK FORCE ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT.
FLORES: WELL, BEFORE I ANSWER THAT I AM IMPRESSED BY THE COMMENTARY WE HAD ON BEHALF OF MR. RITTER AND REPRESENTED AND WHAT HE HAS DONE AT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE IT IS GOING TO HEAR.
WE GO BACK MANY YEARS AS YOU REFERENCE BUT YOU ALWAYS DO GREAT WORK.
MR. RITTER I DON'T KNOW YOU BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AT SOUTHERN DALLAS COUNTY.
I RELATE WITH YOU ON TECHNOLOGY I'M ONE OF THOSE THAT I AM NOT THERE YET.
THIS CORONAVIRUS PROPELLED ALL OF US WHETHER WE WANTED OR NOT IN GAINING TECHNICAL SKILLS.
I AM GOING TO DO WHAT RAPHAEL DID.
[00:30:02]
YOU MENTIONED ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTERS.THE LAST TIME I SAW THEM WITH YOU THEY WERE PROBABLY 8 9 TEN YEARS OLD.
THERE'S NO QUESTION BUT THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO COLLEGE.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF THE STUDENTS THAT ARE IN GENERATIONAL POVERTY TO HAVE THE FIRST ONE ENROLL AND FINISH.
YOU KNOW, I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE TWO GRANDCHILDREN GRADUATE ONE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ARLINGTON AND ONE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON THE SAME YEAR IN 2018.
MY GRANDSON THAT'S LOCAL I TOLD HIM I AM PROUD OF HE GOT HIS DEGREE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING.
MAKING A GOOD STARTING SALARY.
CLOSE TO WHAT I AM MAKING AFTER 30 PLUS YEARS OF WORKING.
I SAID, MY GRANDDAUGHTER, WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS A GIFT FOR YOUR GENERATIONS TO COME.
RAPHAEL, YOUR TESTAMENT TO THAT ALSO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTERS.
ONCE YOU HAVE A COLLEGE EDUCATED IN THE FAMILY IT IMPACTS GENERATIONS TO COME.
YOU DID IT AND YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND ET CETERA KNOW THEY WILL DO IT AND THEY WILL BE COLLEGE EDUCATED AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FUNCTION.
ONE, ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SERVE ON THE COMMUNITY ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
TWO, THE TRANSFORMATION WE ARE UNDER GOING TO GET STUDENTS OUT THERE AND TO MAKE SURE WE ARE RELEVANT ON WHAT WE ARE OFFERING IN TERMS OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY NEEDS.
DALLAS COLLEGE IS A BIGGEST ECONOMIC IMPACT.
2012 2013 WE DID IMPACT ANALYSIS STUDY.
WE VERIFIED THAT DALLAS COLLEGE STUDENTS GENERATED $4.2Â BILLION INCOME PER YEAR I REPEAT $4.2Â BILLION A YEAR.
DALLAS COLLEGE HAS MORE TECHNICAL DEGREES AND SEVERITIES AND ONE HUNDRED PLUS HIGH CAREER PROGRAMS. OUR STUDENTS CAN BE PREPARED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND WORK FORCE SUCCESS IN TODAY'S RAPIDLY CHANGING JOB MARKET BECAUSE OF THE PROGRAMS. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY BENEFIT BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE THE SKILL WORKERS THEY NEED.
THE REGION BENEFITS BY OUR EDUCATING STUDENTS HELPING THAT EXIST IN OUR TEXAS.
FAMILIES BENEFITS BY HAVING HIGH WAGE EARNERS.
COMMUNITIES BENEFITS BY HAVING MIDDLE CLASS WORKERS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE PROFESSIONALLY AND CIVICALLY IN MANY WAYS BECAUSE THEY'RE ON A FIRMER FOUNDATION FINANCIALLY AND THUS GIVE THEIR TIME TO ALTRUISTIC INITIATIVES.
EDUCATED WORK FORCE HAS EFFECTS FROM THE STUDENTS TO EMPLOYERS TO FAMILIES TO COMMUNITIES WITH DALLAS COUNTY BEING A KEY ENGINE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
>> CHANCELLOR, LET ME TURNOVER TO YOU.
AS CHAIR FLORES WAS TALKING ABOUT GENERATIONAL POVERTY, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS BIGGEST DISCONNECT FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE TO WORK FORCE AND WHAT GAPS DO WE NEED TO FILL IN ORDER FOR THE STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS TRANSITION?
CLEARLY, THAT'S A BIG ISSUE THAT OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY FACES.
I THINK A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING STILL TODAY OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EDUCATION AND A GREAT PAYING JOB IS JUST MISSING FROM A LOT OF FOLKS.
FOLKS DON'T UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR MORE EDUCATION.
I DO THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE IS THAT OUR INSTITUTIONS DON'T TALK AND ENGAGE WITH EACH OTHER.
YOU KNOW, THE IDEA BEHIND THE DALLAS COUNTY PROMISE REALLY WASN'T ROCKET SCIENCE.
YES, WE GUARANTEED A FREE PATHWAY TO A POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.
THE REALITY IS FOR MOST STUDENTS THEY ALREADY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY THEY JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT.
THE REASON THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT IS BECAUSE NO ONE OWNS TRANSITION.
NO ONE OWNS HANDS OFF BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AND BETWEEN 2 YEAR
[00:35:05]
AND 4 YEAR AND WITHOUT ANY INSTITUTIONS TO THE WORLD OF WORK.WE ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO NAVIGATE.
THE GOAL HAS BEEN TO LOOK AT THE DOTTED LINES AND THE HANDS OFF AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN OWN IT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.
THE DALLAS COLLEGE PROMISE DOES ONE THING TO GET THE STUDENTS TO TAKE THE NECESSARY NEEDS.
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE THERE AND EXIST JUST WAITING FOR THEM AT DALLAS COLLEGE AND WE CAN GET ON A PATHWAY TO A JOB OR CAREER REGARDLESS IF THEY'RE TRANSFERRING TO A 4 YEAR INSTITUTION LIKE ONE OF OUR GREAT PARTNERS WHICH IS THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWEST TEXAS AND SOUTH DALLAS AS WELL AS WHO IS PART OF THE DALLAS COUNTY PROMISE AS WELL AS TEXAS UNIVERSITY AND ALL WHO WORK IN THE SAME GOAL OF REMOVING THE BARRIERS AND HELPING WITH THE HANDS OFF AND TRANSITION AND THOSE WHO DON'T NEED TO MAKE THE JOURNEY ALONE.
WE HAVE PEOPLE TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THEM AND HELP THEM SUCCESSFULLY MOVE THROUGH THE NETWORK THAT FOR MANY FAMILIES SEEMS FOREIGN TO THEM.
MR. RITTER, LET ME TURN BACK TO YOU.
FROM YOUR STANDPOINT, WHAT CHALLENGES OUR EMPLOYERS ARE FACING THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL IN DALLAS COUNTY HELP IMPROVE?
>> THERE'S A BIT CONCERN THAT THE COMPANIES HAVE IN THE QUARTER IS MAINTAINING THEIR EMPLOYEES AND TURNOVER AND SKILL SETS AND TRAINING.
ISSUES ALONG THOSE LINES WE'RE LOW INCOME AREA PRETTY OBVIOUS.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF MINORITY STUDENTS, MINORITY OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA.
HERE, LAST WEEK THERE WAS A LUNCH THAT I WAS IT ENDING AND A COMPANY LOST A COUPLE OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET TO THEIR JOB.
WE HAD THAT ALSO TRANSPORTATION NOT EVEN GETTING TO COLLEGE UNIVERSITIES.
THAT ASSOCIATION IS BRINGING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO THE DALLAS COUNTY AREA.
A NUMBER OF COMPANIES, AMAZON, FED EX, PROCTOR AND GAMBLE, WHIRLPOOL, WILL BE BENEFITTED BY BEING ABLE TO GET EMPLOYEES TO THEIR FACILITIES.
STILL THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE DALLAS COLLEGE, CEDAR VALLEY COLLEGE IS CLOSED BY, WORKING WITH BUSINESS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SKILL SETS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR IN THEIR FACILITY.
AUTOMATION IS ONE AREA THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE MORE EMPHASIZED.
I AM PRESENTLY WORKING WITH FOUR COMPANIES THAT CAN BUILD 5 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF FACILITIES AND HAVE FIVE THOUSAND NEW EMPLOYEES BY FIRST QUARTER OF 22.
WE GOT TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH.
I WANT TO BE PUTTING THE COMPANIES TOGETHER WITH DALLAS COLLEGE TO WORK WITH THE COLLEGE SYSTEM.
TO FIND A PROGRAM THAT THEY CAN USE AND HAVE READILY AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYEES STARTING IN 22.
DR. MAY LET ME TURN TO YOU A LITTLE BIT.
WE NEED TO FOCUS HOW WE PARTNER TOGETHER.
AS WE ALIGN IN THE SCHOOLS OF MODELS THAT YOU SHARED, HOW DO YOU THINK WE CAN AND
[00:40:01]
PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET INDUSTRY DEMAND FOR TRAINED WORK FORCE?>> NONE OF US CAN REALLY DO THIS ALONE.
I THINK THERE'S A HISTORY OF EVERYONE OPERATING IN ISOLATION AND NOT REALLY COMMUNICATING.
WHAT WE REALLY TRY TO DO BOTH WITH OUR STRUCTURE BUT ALSO WITH PARTNERSHIPS IS TO LOOK HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT CALL ME ANYTIME THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT IS THERE.
WE WILL FIND A WAY; WE WILL DROP WHAT WE ARE DOING BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GROW THE JOBS EVERYWHERE IN DALLAS COUNTY BUT PARTICULARLY WHERE WE SEE PEOPLE THAT ARE LEFT BY THE ECONOMIC THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.
WE'RE THERE TO PARTNER AND COLLABORATE AND 90% OF THE CASES WE ALREADY HAVE THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS.
IN CASE WE DON'T, THE GREAT THING ABOUT ORGANIZATION LIKE OURS WE ARE ABLE TO START NEW PROGRAMS TO INVEST IN AREAS.
WE HAVE SOME GOING ON RIGHT NOW WHERE WE NEED WORK AND WORK WITH STEEL AND ALUMINUM AND THERE'S NEW MATERIALS THAT REQUIRE NEW SKILL SETS TODAY.
WE ARE CHANGING THE PROGRAM AND ADDING TO PROGRAMS TO MEET THE NEEDS.
I THINK IT IS THE WORKING TOGETHER IS WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE PROBLEMS AND THE CHALLENGES ARE TOO BIG FOR ANY OF US TO DO IT ALONE.
THE CHALLENGE WITH COLLABORATION NEEDS TO ALL OF US LET A LITTLE BIT NOT TO FOCUS ON OUR PROBLEMS AND NEEDS BUT THE NEEDS OF OTHERS AND THAT'S WHAT COLLABORATION IS ABOUT AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE EFFORTS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.
TURNING IT BACK TO YOU REPRESENTATIVE MANCIA.
WHAT ARE THE KEY FACTORS THAT WILL INCREASE SUCCESS INCREASE THE SUCCESS OF THE STUDENTS AND HOW THAT SUCCESS IMPACTS DALLAS COUNTY NOW AND YEARS TO COME?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO GO OFF OF WHAT MR. RITTER WAS DISCUSSING A MOMENT AGO AND WHAT WAS FOLLOWED ON BY CHANCELLOR MAY.
WE HAVE TO GET THE BASELINE RIGHT OF READING/WRITING ARITHMETIC.
ALL OF THE THINGS THAT FORM THE BASELINE OF ONE SHOULD KNOW TO BE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE.
I REMIND EVERYBODY ALL OF THE TIME, DALLAS IS NOT JUST COMPETING WITH U.S CITIES LIKE PHOENIX OR ATLANTA, NASHVILLE, WE ARE COMPETING WITH CITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE INCLUDING CHINA AND SOME CITIES THAT ARE 15 MILLION PEOPLE THAT WE HAVEN'T HEARD OF.
IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO GROW THE HUMAN CAPITAL SO THE DALLAS CONTINUES TO BE THE GO TO DESTINATION.
TO GET THE UNDERSTANDING RIGHT, WE MAKE SURE WE ENHANCE RIGGER IN MY OPINION AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL.
BEYOND THAT, MR. RITTER DISCUSSES THE SKILLS THAT WE NEED FOR PEOPLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
A SOFT SKILLS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH TALENT, ZERO.
IN FACT, THERE'S A LIST OF THINGS THAT DON'T REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE A DEGREE AT ALL BUT IT IS THINGS LIKE BEING ON TIME, SHAKING SOMEBODY'S HANDS AND LOOKING AT THEM IN THE EYE, SMILING EVERY ONE IN A WHILE AT WORK WHEN TALKING TO YOUR COLLEAGUES, WORKING HARD, DOING EXTRA.
I MEAN THOSE KINDS OF SOFT SKILLS THAT ARE HIGHLY VALUABLE IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT KIDS ALONG THE WAY ARE NOT RECEIVING.
WHETHER IT IS BY PRODUCT OF THOSE THINGS, I REMEMBER IN MY SITUATION I WAS A FIRST YEAR STUDENT AT TWO LANE LAW SCHOOL AND I WENT TO A RECEPTION AT A LAW FIRM FOR THE MINORITY LAW STUDENTS.
I REMEMBER GOING UPON THE ELEVATOR AND IT DAWNED UPON ME THAT I HAD NOT BEEN IN A LAW FIRM BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW ANY LAWYERS.
[00:45:01]
THE ONLY LAWYERS THAT I CAME ACROSS WERE THE ONES THAT CAME TO MOCK THE TRIALS.LIKEWISE, SOME OF THE SOFT SKILLS THAT DON'T GET TRANSLATED FROM PARENTS TO KIDS IT IS A BY PRODUCT OF A LACK OF EXPERIENCE.
I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DRESS IN AN OFFICE OR TIE A TIE UNTIL I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL.
WHEN I WAS INTERVIEWING IN LAW SCHOOLS, I HAD TO ASK MY CLASSMATES TO DO IT FOR ME.
A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED, MR. RITTER WAS TALKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION GETTING TO AND FROM A PLACE AND THE SOFT SKILLS THAT HE WAS DISCUSSING.
FOR SOME FAMILIES, IT MAY BE FOREIGN CONCEPTS.
THE WAY YOU GET THEM IS THE INTERNSHIPS AND THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT ARE DEVELOPED BY DALLAS COLLEGE AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR. RITTER, WE HAVE A PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE FIVE KIDS FROM PLEASANT GROVE WHO WORK IN OUR OFFICE.
IT IS AN ENORMOUS TASK FOR THOSE KIDS TO COME FROM PLEASANT GROVE TO DOWNTOWN DALLAS AFTER SCHOOL.
IT IS A HUGE UNDERTAKING FOR THEM.
BUT JUST THEIR ABILITY TO BE AROUND PROFESSIONALS IN AN OFFICE SETTING AND UNDERSTAND WHAT A CUBICAL IS OR A PASSWORD IS TO LOG ON, IT IS NOT THAT THEY'RE BAD OR WRONG, THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE EXPERIENCE.
THESE PARTNERSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT.
I CAN'T EMPHASIZE THEM ENOUGH BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE YOU LEARN ABOUT BEING ON TIME AND PLEASE/THANK YOU AND WHAT THE VISUAL EXPECTATION OF A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT IS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR FOCUS ON PRACTICE.
LET ME TURN TO YOU CHAIR FLORES.
YOU'VE BEEN AROUND DALLAS COLLEGE FOR A LONGTIME, AS I SAID EARLIER AS A STUDENT/EMPLOYEE AND NOW AS A LONG TRUSTEE AND NOW AS A BOARD.
TELL US, IF YOU WILL, SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS 5Â YEARS FROM NOW WHAT RESULTS DO YOU HOPE TO SEE AS A MOVE TO THIS UNIFIED COLLEGE.
FLORES: THAT'S SHORT AND SWEET.
I HOPE TO SEE THE GREATER MAJORITY OF STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY EXIT THROUGH THE DOORS AND GRADUATING IN LESS THAN 3Â YEARS AND CONTINUING ON TO THE NEXT PHASE OF THEIR JOURNEY WHETHER TRANSFERRING TO A UNIVERSITY OR ENTERING THE WORK FORCE THAT'S THE MAJOR RESULT THAT I HOPE TO SEE 5Â YEARS FROM NOW STUDENTS SUCCEEDING.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAVE TIME TO GET TO.
LET ME TURN TO YOU MR. RITTER QUICKLY.
JUST FOR A FINAL QUESTION FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE PERSPECTIVE, WHAT CHANGES DO YOU THINK HIGHER EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE FOCUSING ON TO MEET THE HIGHER DEMANDS OF THE WORK FORCE? WHAT QUESTIONS DO WE NEED TO BE ASKING AS HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS THAT WE ARE INCREASING PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH DALLAS COUNTY?
>> I HAVE TO LEAVE THE QUESTION TO SOMEBODY ELSE BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD AT THAT.
I HAVE FOLLOWED THE LEADERSHIP LIKE SOMEBODY LIKE JOE OR REPRESENTATIVE MANCIA AND MRS. FLORES.
I SEE THE GREENFIELD OUT THERE THAT IS LOOKING FOR A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY.
THERE'S THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND STUDENTS IN THE AREA AND HOW DO YOU EDUCATE THEM MORE? IT IS ABOUT CONTACT COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER AND HAVING THE CURRICULUMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT DALLAS COLLEGE.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GET TO A STAGE IN LIFE WHERE YOU LOOK BACK AND SAID THAT TOOK A LOT OF PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE.
A LOT OF PARENTS LOOK AT THEIR KIDS THAT WAY, IT TOOK A LOT OF PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE.
[00:50:01]
SETTING A GOAL, NOT KNOWING WHERE YOU WANT TO GO YET, PICK A FIELD SOMEWHERE AND THE FIRST 2Â YEARS WHILE THEY'RE AT DALLAS COLLEGE AND THAT FIELD IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE HANDS ON TECHNOLOGY, SOMETHING COMPUTERIZED USING THEIR BRAIN CAPACITIES, SOME OF IT IS IN PERSONALITIES, IN ORDER FOR THE PERSONALITY TO GROW AND SUPPORT THE LIFESTYLE THAT THEY WANT TO GET TO.ONE THING THAT WOULD BE GOOD AND I THINK JOE HAS TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE.
I HAVE TALKED TO JOE AND DR. SEABROOKS IS TO TAKE SOME OF THIS COMPANY AND SET UP SEMI ANNUALLY WHERE WE HAVE VISIT WITH KEY COMPANIES DISCUSSING WITH THEM WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE.
IT IS RAPIDLY CHANGING IN OUR LOGISTIC WORLD IT IS RAPIDLY CHANGING.
THE SKILL JOBS ARE CHANGING WITHIN THE COMPANIES ALSO.
IF WE DO SEMI ANNUAL MEETING WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE AND FIND OUT WHAT THE BUSINESSES ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR AND SEE IF WE ARE SUPPLYING THE SKILL SET LEVEL OF CURRICULUM AT SCHOOL WILL BE GREAT.
AS I SAID, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS UNFORTUNATELY WE COULDN'T GET TO TODAY.
IT HAS A RETRO BUST CONVERSATION.
WITH THAT, WE'LL ASK THE PANELIST TO GIVE PARTING THOUGHTS IN ABOUT 60Â SECONDS OR SO.
CHAIR FLORES, YOU GET MORE TIME TO DO THAT AS WE WRAP UP.
I'LL START WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE MANCIA.
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE FOR THE AUDIENCE?
FIRST, I WANT TO THANK TRUSTEE FLORES FOR HER LEADERSHIP.
WHEN I GOT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN 2001 FEW PEOPLE THAT I FELT I COULD LEAN ON TO EVEN UNDERSTAND WHERE THE BATHROOM WAS.
I FELT I WAS WELL PREPARED BUT WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW.
SHE WAS HELPFUL TO GUIDE ME FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
IT MADE ME HAPPY WHEN I HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO COLLABORATE WITH HER SHE'S ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT IS GENUINE PUBLIC SERVANT.
BECAUSE SHE HAS SERVICE AT HEART SHE HAS CHOSEN TO GIVE BACK TO HER COMMUNITY.
IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE ON THIS PANEL.
DALLAS COLLEGE NEEDS TO REMAIN NIBBLE.
STRUCTURE CHANGE WILL BE HELPFUL FOR THE STUDENT BODY.
BECAUSE OF MOORE'S LAW, CAUSES TECHNOLOGY THE CAPACITY OF TECHNOLOGY TO DOUBLE EVERY 5Â YEARS AND IN FACT SOME SAY 3Â YEARS.
THE CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO OCCUR IN THE SOCIETY, AS A RESULT OF TECHNOLOGY, IS GOING TO BE MASSIVE.
WE KNOW THAT THE FUTURE IS GOING TO BE LIKE WE DON'T KNOW.
MAINTAINING NIBBLE CURRICULUM, MAINTAINING NIBBLE PROGRAMMING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE FUTURE WORK FORCE AND THE SKILL SETS THAT ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED TO OCCUPY THE JOBS ARE IMPORTANT.
WITH THAT, I WILL SIGN OFF AND APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MANCIA.
WE KNOW YOU HAVE TO RUN TO ANOTHER MEETING.
MR. RITTER, I WILL TURN TO YOU FOR FINAL THOUGHTS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE GROUP.
>> I ENJOY THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU TO TALK ABOUT SOUTH DALLAS COUNTY AND DALLAS COLLEGES.
IT IS A GREAT ASSOCIATION THAT WE HAVE TO GROW THE AREA AND PROVIDE JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS COMING OUT OF COLLEGE AND GOOD LEADERSHIP FROM JOE.
I APPRECIATE THAT FROM YOU GUYS AND JOE SEA BOOKS VERY MUCH BECAUSE IT IS A POSITIVE AD.
I CAN TELL THE COMPANY; I HAVE BROCHURES IN MY OFFICE.
I DO PASS THOSE TO THE COMPANY.
[00:55:01]
HERE'S THE PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN TRAIN IN THE LABOR FORCE.WE DO TALK ABOUT THE LINES AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AND THE OPPORTUNITY THAT DALLAS COLLEGE PROVIDES FOR US.
>> THANK YOU FOR SPREADING THE GOOD WORD AND HANDING THE FAMILIAR COMPLETES WHERE YOU CAN FOR THE MATERIAL.
>> I WANT TO THANK THE PANELISTS TODAY.
WHAT WAS IMPORTANT WAS TRANSLATING FROM THE POLICY SIDE TO THE PRACTICAL SIDE.
WE HAVE GONE FROM THE LEGISLATURE IN OUR BOARD ABOUT HOW THEY LOOK AT THE NEEDS IN THE GREATER COMMUNITY AND HOW WE WORK TO TRANSLATE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES OF INDIVIDUALS OF EMPLOYERS THAT YOU FACE IN THE REAL WORLD.
COMING TOGETHER WITH THESE CONVERSATIONS IT IS IMPORTANT.
HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL HAVE MORE IN THE FUTURE.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHANCELLOR.
LET ME TURN TO YOU NOW, CHAIR FLORES FOR YOUR FINAL THOUGHTS.
FLORES: THESE WILL TAKE A MINUTE OR TWO.
I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR PANELISTS.
THIS WAS QUITE A ROBUST CONVERSATION.
THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE MANCIA EVEN THOUGH HE HAD TO LEAVE US.
I WILL REACH OUT TO HIM NOT FOR PROVIDING PERSONAL EXPERIENCES THAT RELATE TO STUDENTS TODAY BUT STATE PERSPECTIVES.
MR. RITTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY IS WHAT WE HEAR ALL OF THE TIME.
THANK YOU FOR AFFIRMING FOR LETTING US KNOW THAT WE ARE IN THE RIGHT PATH.
DR. MAY FOR HELPING INFORM THE PUBLIC FOR THE GREAT WORK THAT DALLAS COLLEGE IS DOING.
I LOVE HOW YOU PUT IT IN CONTEXT AT POLICY LEVEL AND NOW PUTTING INTO THE PRACTICAL REALM.
YOU WERE ABLE TO SEE WHAT DALLAS COLLEGE IS DOING AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS, FULFILLING STATE GOALS FOR EDUCATE I HAVE WORK FORCE AND PROVIDING THE SKILL TAN HE WILL FOR BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES.
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US ON TRACK.
FOR THOSE WHO JOINS US IN THIS TOWN HALL, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE WITH YOU WHY WE HAVE BECOME DALLAS COLLEGE.
AS STATED PREVIOUSLY, COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR SKILLED JOB OR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY DEGREE HELPS A STUDENT MOVE FROM POVERTY INTO THE MIDDLE CLASS.
I AM TESTAMENT OF THAT AND MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE ALSO.
I KNOW THIS FROM FIRST HANDS EXPERIENCE.
SINCE THERE ARE UNACCEPTABLE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN POVERTY, WE MUST DO ALL WE HAVE IN OUR POWER TO ASSURE THAT HIGHER EDUCATION IS FOR FIRST GENERATION WHETHER THEY'RE FRESH FROM ATTAINING GED OR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR WORKING ADULTS WANTING TO GET EDUCATION AT HIGHER LEVEL.
AS I STATED, EDUCATION DOES ALLEVIATE POVERTY.
NOW, WE WILL CONTINUE THESE TOWN HALLS WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF THE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING IN DALLAS COLLEGE.
WE THANK THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
WE NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT TO THE PUBLIC WHAT IT IS THAT WE ARE DOING FOR YOUR BENEFIT.
WITH THAT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF DALLAS COLLEGE.
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES ARE COMMITTED TO ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY WITH THE REMOTE ENVIRONMENT.
THIS IS THE MANNER THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
MORE TO THESE TO COME AS CHAIR FLORES SAID.
WE COULDN'T DO WITH THE COMMUNITY PARTNER.
I WANT TO THANK (THANKING PARTNERS).
THESE PARTNERS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP SUPPORT THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING, SUPPORT THIS CONVERSATION TODAY.
AGAIN, THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME.
[01:00:04]
THANKS FOR THE PARTICIPANTS FOR JOINING US AND THANKS FOR THE PANELISTS FOR THE CONVERSATION TODAY.I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT DAY.
THANKS SO MUCH.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.