ARC-STEM-Brochure.Pdf
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2 The Emergence of Sac 2.0 There’s a renaissance occurring throughout the Greater Sacramento region. A Creating Our revitalized downtown, new business interests, and an affordable lifestyle are Region’s Premier expected to drive economic growth and prosperity for our region. Yet to fuel and STEM Innovation Center sustain that revitalization, we must have a workforce today that is equipped for the ARC has a culture of innovation and a reputation economies of tomorrow. for exemplarily and award winning programs from Culinary Arts to Biotechnology that prepare Sacramento is positioned for substantial growth in STEM (Science, Technology, students for successful transfer to four-year universities and 21st century employment. To Engineering, and Math) related industries. Our proximity to Silicon Valley, coupled continue on this trajectory, we are embarking on a campaign to build a state-of-the-art STEM Inno- with the substantially lower cost to do business in Sacramento compared to the Bay vation Center and 21st Century Science Space for Area, makes Sacramento a highly desirable home for many businesses that rely on biology and chemistry. technology. Funding for construction of the building and modernization of the existing science wing However, to successfully attract and keep these businesses, Sacramento must be has already been secured. However, it is the technology and equipment that will go inside the able to provide a well-trained, highly-skilled workforce to meet the demands of the new building that will make the real difference for diverse employers who rely on technology for their business needs. our students. For that reason ARC is embarking on a $3.5 million campaign to raise the funds needed to fully equip the new STEM Innovation American River College has the top-notch teaching faculty Center. Funded through generous donations from and educational experience to train the next community members like you, this equipment will allow students to gain hands-on experience using generation of STEM workers to fuel the the same cutting-edge tools they will encounter growth of high-tech industry in Sac 2.0 – at high-tech employers. ARC’s top-tier teaching faculty, small class sizes, unique two-year degree but we need your help. and certificate programs lead to high-wage, high- growth STEM jobs, and effective student support programs. This experiential learning will ensure that Sacramento’s students have access to the highest-quality, affordable and most up-to-date STEM education available, establishing ARC and Sacramento as a leader in STEM education and employment. 3 3 American River College: A History of Top-Tier Education Founded in 1955, American River College (ARC) educates more than 30,000 students annually, making it one of the largest public education institutions in the region. American Recognized statewide for its innovative programs and services, ARC ranks in River College… On the Cutting-Edge of the top 15% of California’s community colleges in transfer rates to four-year Education — MESA Program institutions. 53% of ARC students are working towards transfer, and another for Community Colleges 40% of students attend to obtain a degree, certificate, or to enhance their Research has shown that students who have on- campus friends with similar interests and career job skills. goals are more likely to succeed in college. ARC’s MESA program provides a learning community for students pursuing four-year degrees in the STEM ARC is part of the Los Rios Community College District that includes fields and provides tutoring, study groups, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College. academic advising and support. The largest in the system, ARC leads in student enrollment in science disciplines, with more than 7,000 students declaring a STEM major in fall 2017. least 5 hours of contact time each week during a Top-Notch, Highly standard science lecture and lab class. This al- Involved Faculty lows faculty to build relationships with students and provide individualized support. ARC’s history of excellence in STEM education is rooted in our outstanding faculty. All 110 full- Many of ARC’s part-time faculty are also em- time STEM faculty have master’s degrees and ployed full-time in STEM fields, allowing them 34% have post-doctorate degrees. Their alma to bring real world knowledge and expertise to maters include Oxford, Stanford, Vanderbilt, the classroom. In degree fields like Computer Rutgers, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and UCLA, and Science and Engineering where the cutting edge many also teach in the UC or CSU systems. is constantly moving forward, this industry knowledge ensures our students will graduate ARC courses are taught directly by these skilled with the skills that employers need. faculty who work closely with students in small classes (30 students on average), providing at 4 Engineering students at ARC have access to the Community College Mentoring Initiative. First piloted at ARC through a partnership with Intel, this program provides engineering students with virtual design issues, product Affordable Educational Biotechnology mentorships with Intel engineers from Certificate economics, and legal around the world. Options: 2-Year Degrees, This certificate prepares considerations. Current Certificates, and Transfers students for jobs in biotech- computer technologies nology, teaching practical laborato- and various analytical design and ARC provides students with diverse opportunities ry skills with emphasis on good laboratory documentation software is emphasized to meet their unique educational and career practice, quality control, and regulatory issues in throughout the program. goals. Students at ARC are able to pursue a the biotechnology workplace. STEM education that leads to a certificate, AA/AS For those students who want to continue their degree or prepares them to transfer to a 4-year Solar Energy Technology education at a 4-year institution, ARC’s programs institution. Many of ARC’s STEM certificates and Certificate provide the coursework and hands-on education AA/AS programs prepare students for employ- This certificate provides training in all aspects of to effectively prepare them for success after ment in living-wage, high-demand jobs without Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System design, instal- transfer. Whether it is a 2-year certificate pro- the need for further education. ARC’s AA/AS lation, troubleshooting and repair. The courses gram that leads to immediate employment or the and certificate programs make us uniquely well qualify students to take the North American first step on the path to a PhD, ARC offers flexible positioned to meet Sacramento’s immediate need Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) options to help students achieve their goals. for career-ready STEM professionals. A sampling PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam. ARC truly is a smart choice for smart students, of these programs include: SMUD, PG&E, and Solar City, who together employ more than 25,000 people, have a growing providing hands-on learning in small class sizes, Registered Nursing Degree and need for trained Solar Energy professionals. with educational supports to ensure each student LVN to RN Career Mobility Degree is challenged and achieves his/her academic These programs prepare students for success as Engineering Technology Degree goals. All of this is available for the lowest fees registered nurses (RN). Healthcare is Sacra- and Certificate in higher education. Tuition fees at ARC are just mento’s top industry based on number This degree and certificate emphasizes $46/unit or $552 for a full-time student taking of jobs, and many of our region’s the knowledge and skills required 12 units, and that fee is waived for approximately largest employers – Kaiser for entry-level success in 60% of ARC students who qualify for the govern- “I find the engineering Permanente, Sutter ARC transfer ment fee waiver. In comparison, tuition fees at Health, Dignity students very well professions. CSU are $6,857 and $12,630 at UC, making ARC Health, UC Davis prepared for the challenges Projects include the affordable choice in addition to being the – are in regular of transitioning to a research environmental smart choice. need of RNs. university. I find them highly and sustainable motivated, clear on the long- term goals, and mature. They are a pleasure to have in class.” — Jim Schaaf, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, College of Engineering, University of California, Davis 5 5 High-Quality MESA Mathematics Engineering Science Educational Supports Achievement (MESA) is a learning One of ARC’s unique strengths is our edu- community for students pursuing cational support programs that allow us to four-year degrees in the fields of serve a diverse population of students – from mathematics, science or engineer- first-generation college students to high school ing. MESA helps students achieve in the valedictorians – equipping them with the skills classroom, progress academically, and develop they need to leave ARC as highly skilled, capable professionally. The program provides field students and employees who succeed in their trips to universities and science/engineering future college and career paths. Among ARC’s locations, math/chemistry boot camps for educational support programs are: incoming students, and individual and group support from faculty and Honors Program staff. “American River ARC’s Honors Program provides challeng- College was just what my ing courses and a community of support for MMLC son needed after high school.” high-performing students. Students who The Math Multime- complete 15 units of Honors coursework and dia Learning Center Like a lot of students, Josh didn’t know exactly what he wanted to do out of maintain a 3.5 or better GPA are eligible for supports students high school and I don’t think he was ready for a 4-year college. ARC allowed enhanced prospects for transfer to competitive by filling in gaps him to take some introductory classes in a much smaller setting than he schools through ARC Honors Program’s part- in mathematical would have seen at a 4-year school.