Cascadia Community College

Infobox_University
name = Cascadia Community College


established = 2000
type = Community college
staff =
faculty =
president = [http://www.cascadia.edu/LearningForTheFuture/letterfromthepres.asp Dr. William Christopher]
students =
mascot =
graduated =
city = Bothell
state = Washington
country = USA
campus = convert|128|acre|km2
free_label = Student & Faculty
free = [http://www.cascadia.edu/LearningForTheFuture/studentfacultyprofile.asp Profile]
website = [http://www.cascadia.edu/ Cascadia CC]

Cascadia Community College is a community college located in the city of Bothell, Washington. Established in 2000, it is currently the newest community college in the state.

Cascadia is located on a 128 acre (518,000 m²) campus along Bothell's Beardslee Boulevard, just northwest of the intersection of Interstate 405 and State Route 522. Cascadia and the University of Washington's Bothell campus are co-located.

Cascadia's service district, which is legislatively assigned, includes the cities of Bothell, Woodinville, Kirkland, Kenmore, Duvall, Carnation, Sammamish, Redmond and many smaller communities.

Cascadia offers primarily two-year associate's degrees, certificate programs and many continuing education courses, professional training, and contract programs customized to local businesses. Cascadia gained accreditation in 2006 from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Degree Programs

; Associate in Integrated Studies (AIS): Two-year degree that is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate degree designed for transfer to a four-year university.; Associate in Science (AS): Two-year degree for students intending to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a major in the natural sciences, pre-med, engineering or computer science. Students selecting this degree will choose between two "tracks". Track 1 is for students planning to major in Biological Sciences, Environmental/Earth Sciences, Chemistry or Geology. Track 2 is for students with majors in Computer Science, Atmospheric Science or Physics. Track 2 also offers three specific engineering major-ready pathways, Bio/Chem Engineering, Computer & Electrical Engineering, and other.; Associate in Applied Science (AAS): Degree designed to prepare students for careers in Networking Technology, Software Programming Technology, Web Technology or Administrative Office Management. ; Associate in Business (AB): Degree designed as an entry pathway to four-year business degree programs to make possible junior level transfer into business majors of most academic programs at public four-year institutions.; Associate in Pre-Nursing: This degree program is applicable to students planning to prepare for upper division Bachelor of Science, Nursing or other related allied health field.

According to Washington Monthly, Cascadia was ranked #2 community college in the United States.

Certificate Programs

Short-term Professional Technical Certification programs are available for:
Accounting Assistant
Computer Applications Specialist
Digital Media
Game Design
Landscape Maintenance
Network Specialist
Office Skills Integrated with ESL
Phlebotomy
Software Testing Specialist
Technical Support Specialist
Web Design Specialist
Web Specialist

A Learning College

Cascadia was chosen by the National League for Innovation in the Community College to be one of 12 Vanguard Learning Colleges. This prestigious award was bestowed upon colleges that proved to be focused on students and continuously striving for innovation and excellence.

Cascadia ranked sixth nationally among digital-savvy, cutting-edge community colleges, selected by the Center for Digital Education and the American Association of Community Colleges, in the second annual Digital community colleges Survey.

Cascadia also ranked second nationally in quality for community colleges, behind Atlanta Technical College. . [ [http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0709.careyessay.html America's Best Community Colleges - Kevin Carey ] ] [ [http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0709.careycascadia.html Built to Teach - Kevin Carey ] ] [ [http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2007/0709.ccrankings.html Community College Rankings ] ]

; Group Work:Cascadia students have flourished in an environment dedicated to learner-centered education. Cascadia believes that all students must develop the ability to work effectively in small groups. Teamwork furthers each of the core learning outcomes and is a strong preparation for tomorrow's workplace.

; Distance Learning:Cascadia Community College offers online classes through Cascadia Online, and through Washington Online (WAOL), a cooperative effort among Washington's 34 community and technical colleges. Distance learning can be an attractive alternative to commuting to classes.

; Learning Communities:Learning Communities offer an alternative to the traditional individual course approach. These programs are based on specific themes, and synthesize knowledge and ideas across different disciplines. Strudents learn to understand patterns and make connections among different schools of knowledge, and to integrate their studies with personal experience.

; Study Abroad:Cascadia Community College, by membership with the Washington State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCA), offers quarterly study abroad options. Students earn credit when studying abroad in places such as England, Italy, France, Costa Rica, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and more. Classes are taught by faculty from colleges in the consortium and from the host country, and fulfill state requirements. Students interact with other cultures, and gain a global perspective, enhancing their learning and development. Some study abroad programs allow students to become more fluent in a foreign language.

; Electronic Portfolio (ePortfolio):At Cascadia, students develop personalized, electronic, Web-based portfolios to demonstrate their learning. The ePortfolio provides a place to record and store a wide range of important materials and information, including career and educational goals, academic accomplishments, special projects, personal reflections and affirmations from others. The ePortfolio holds tangible products that demonstrate students' skills and showcases their accomplishments. Students create an initial portfolio as part of the College Strategies or Careers in Information Technology classes and continue to add to its content throughout their college esxperience. The ePortfolio is an effective way for students to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities to prospective employers or universities.

Student Programs

Students who want to make the most of their college experience can get involved in the college's Student Programs, the college governance system or other activities and programs. Opportunities to learn at Cascadia extend far beyond the classroom. Research has shown that students who are involved in activities outside the classroom are more likely to succeed academically and complete a degree.

; Student Government:Cascadia Student Government, or "CSG", is the group of students who represent the entire student body (Associated Students of Cascadia Community College or "ASCCC") in matters of college governance, legislation, clubs and activities. [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=91219089 CSG myspace profile]

;Sports Program:The sports program at Cascadia offers students the opportunity to participate in activities through the year. This program is student-driven and is based on interest and participation.

;Cascadia Activities Board:The Cascadia Activities Board (CAB) is a paid leadership opportunity available for students interested in coordinating a variety of campus events and activities. The CAB members coordinate social, educational, recreational and multicultural events for students and the community. [http://www.myspace.com/ccc_events CAB myspace profile]

;Mentorship - Peer Resource Officers:A group of Cascadia students serve as Peer Resource Officers who mentor and support new incoming Cascadia students. The PROs will "check in" with the new students throughout the quarter and offer more ways for the new students to get involved with campus life. They will help the new students be successful and overcome any barriers that may interfere with their academics. The PROs will attend the new Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) sessions to provide information about the PRO Mentor Program and their contact information.

;Student Clubs & organizations:Getting involved in clubs and student activities can be a very rewarding experience. Students are encouraged to join campus organizations to build lasting friendships, provide unique educational opportunities, and establish support systems of peers, faculty and staff advisors. Active clubs have included:Alive Music Club, Anime Club, Business Club, Campus Crusade for Christ, Cascadia Golf Club, Black Student Union, Club Gumbo (diversity club), Creative Arts Publication (Cascadia Community College’s annual college literary magazine, Wetlands Review, won the Small College Award in the Pacific-Western region of the Community College Humanities Association Literary Magazine Competition 2006), Drama Club, Health & Science Club (HSC), Kodiak Dance Team, Model United Nations, Mountain Sports Club, Pacific Islanders Club,
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Physics Club, and Wetland Environmental Forum.

;Emerging Leaders:The Emerging Leaders program provides an opportunity for Cascadia students to learn what it takes to become an effective leader through in-depth and hands-on workshops. These workshops include issues such as the qualities of an effective leader, event planning, communication, leadership in a multicultural society, working with teams, and the leadership positions available to students at Cascadia. Students conduct presentations at the end of the year on what they learned through the program and how they plan to utilize their new leadership skills and experiences. Students who successfully complete the program and its requirements are recognized at an academic/leadership awards reception during the summer quarter.

External links

* [http://www.cascadia.edu/ Cascadia Community College]

References

*