[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17902]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              PRAISING GALVESTON COLLEGE'S STRATEGIC PLAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2006

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, Galveston College, which is in my district, is 
in the fifth year of its strategic plan to better help its students 
meet the challenges of the 21st century by transforming itself into a 
learning college. The learning college is an exciting new model 
designed to ensure community colleges respond quickly to internal and 
external challenges and think creatively about the future.
  The learning college rests on collaboration between students who are 
willing and able to take primary responsibility for making their own 
choices and faculty and staff who are able to empower students with the 
tools students need to make sound choices. Galveston College helps 
students develop the attitudes and behaviors necessary for academic and 
professional success. Galveston College also challenges its employees 
to work in an environment based on teamwork and a culture open to 
change and learning.
  Fundamental to the learning college experience is the creation of 
different options for learning, including the traditional classroom, 
laboratory and clinical settings, and Internet coursework. A learning 
college also assists students in forming and participating in 
collaborative learning activities.
  Since adopting the learning college model, Galveston College has made 
an increased variety of coursework and programs available to students. 
Many of these programs involve creative uses of technology that enhance 
the learning process. For example, thanks to collaboration with the 
Virtual College of Texas, Galveston College has made available a large 
selection of Internet coursework to its students.
  Galveston College has also implemented several initiatives to improve 
its developmental I programs and student services technology. These 
initiatives include Achieving the Dream funded by the Lumina 
Foundation; a title V Grant, Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions 
Program; and the Quality Enhancement Plan. These initiatives will allow 
the college to implement best practices in student retention.
  In order to better ensure that it is preparing students for good jobs 
in the Galveston area, Galveston College has assigned an account 
executive to work with the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, the Galveston 
Economic Development Partnership, and the Galveston city government to 
ensure Galveston College's course offerings match the needs of the 
community.
  Galveston College's efforts are showing results. On May 18, 2006, 
CCBenefits, Inc. completed a socioeconomic impact study of Galveston 
College. The report details how Galveston College benefits the students 
and the community. According to the study, a student at Galveston 
College will see an increase of $6.62 in lifetime earnings for each 
dollar spent at Galveston College. The study also estimated that 
Galveston's economy is $107.3 million stronger due to the actions of 
Galveston College.
  This year, Galveston College had the largest graduating class in its 
history. With its commitment to fashioning a 21st century learning 
college that provides students with a first class education designed to 
help them meet today's challenges, I have no doubt Galveston College 
will remain an asset to the Galveston community and a model for other 
community colleges to follow.

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