Faculty, staff, and administrators from Western traveled to
Albuquerque for the Rural Community College Alliance annual
conference, where Dr. Randy Smith, vice president for academic
affairs, made the pre-conference presentation. Entitled “What’s
Place Got To Do With It?” this interactive presentation explored the
unique challenges faced by rural two-year colleges.
Smith’s research has found that rural colleges must often organize,
plan, and operate much differently than their urban and suburban
counterparts. Smith presented possible solutions and explored
several topics related to rural two-year colleges. He was assisted
in this presentation by Chad Wiginton, director of high school and
college relations, Kent Brooks, dean of information services and
distance education, and Scott Charlson, director of instructional
support.
Western had a second presentation at the conference, given by
Charlson, Lynn Null, child development instructor and program
director, and Brooks.
Called “Create Animated Online Characters that are Ready to Talk
with Your Students and Staff”, this presentation provided examples
of actual implementations of avatars and 3D tools that Western is
using to enhance course content, internal training and to enhance
communication on campus.
The conference, which was held September 23-25, was crafted to
develop ideas to improve the educational and economic prospects for
rural areas. Conference officials also focused on the role community
colleges play in developing service areas.
Also attending from Western were Randy Cumby, president of Western;
Dr. Larry Paxton, dean of academic and student support services;
Carol Kendrix, dean of technical education; and Chrystal Overton,
nursing program director.
