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Learning and Economics BUSINESS TRENDS Learning and economics |**»The Claude Moore Roanoke's Higher Education I ^Education Complex I "tiblises Virginia Center is 'a fiidden jewel' I Western Community j College's culinary that generates $32 million L^arls . in economic impact by Donna Alvis Banks 'very year, 500 people graduate job matching and training resources. meet demands for skilled jobs in the • from the Roanoke Higher Edu- Besides offering classes, the center Roanoke region by offering a variety _jcation Center (RHEC). Some offers testing and meeting services for of college education and workforce- graduates leave with a high school businesses. Edwards recounts how he training programs under one roof. equivalency diploma, while others helped recruit one agency in his occa­ A 2012 market assessment by the earn their doctorate. The center of­ sional role as marketing director — a Clarus Corp. found that the center's fers more than 200 programs — as position he says is needed but remains educational providers serve 2,100 varied as computer training and cu­ unfunded. When leaders of the state's students each semester, the majority linary arts. All that education has division of child support enforcement 35 to 44 years old. Female students a big impact on the local economy, were looking for a conference site, outnumber males nearly 7 to 3, and providing the region with an annual Edwards sold them on the center. "It 48 percent of the student population stimulus of $32 million. is a lot cheaper than, say, the Hotel receives no financial aid. Roanoke," he notes. Kim Roe, a 46-year-old mother "The Higher Education Center is The center also serves as a valu­ of two, graduated from the center unique because it offers a whole range able technological resource, he adds, in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in of programs — from the GED to the with state-of-the-art computer labs, Business for a Sustainable Future Ph.D. We have more colleges and teleconferencing equipment, an from Mary Baldwin College. Trane, universities [represented here] than exam center and a nursing simula­ her employer, paid for her schooling. any other facility in the state," says tion lab. "That was the best part," Roe says. state Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, RHEC opened Aug. 16, 2000, When her supervisor approached her chairman of the board of trustees for with an enrollment of 2,500 students. with the idea of going to RHEC, Roe the nonprofit Roanoke Higher Educa­ Housed in downtown Roanoke's reno­ was thrilled. "I had always wanted to tion Authority, which developed and vated Norfolk and Western Railway go back to school to get my degree. I operates the center. headquarters — a 1931 Art Deco had been looking but kept thinking it Twelve colleges and universities building on Jefferson Street — the was just too expensive. The Roanoke lease space at RHEC as well as the center began with $200,000 from the Higher Education Center had all the Western Virginia Workforce Develop­ 1996 Virginia General Assembly for good opportunities there," she says. ment Board, and TAP/This Valley a feasibility study. The hope was to Roe, like most students, took Works, an organization that provides create a centralized place that would classes at night. "It was challenging Photo courtesy of Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau ROANOKE BUSINESS 15 Business Trends and took time away from my family, heard of it. but they were understanding," she "The Higher Education Center said. "I guess I approach things a bit still remains sort of a hidden jewel in differently now since I went back to the valley," acknowledged Academic school. It makes you more open to and Student Services Director Carla new ideas." James. "We're offering 218 programs The center has a positive impact (litMtt-lltltClEHIlT!)-' right now ... The center is here for on the local economy. A 2010 inde­ ;i?lylll|}:5illJiiJW;Ji3liy the community — for the learners and pendent study by the Roanoke Val­ •riiitlM'.hill •ii(ltlilf'/ir !ii> the employers. We really want to be a ley-Alleghany Regional Commission resource for everyone." credited the center with producing a •lSin?'yCfl;itf.liViitrt!Ei!)ii.w.) It was a helpful resource for Ian $32 million annual stimulus for the n|(l't)ili<|| lliii IliU"!' iir. Fortier, 41. He graduated in 2012 with a city's metro area. Through student and Jh^lelfiJi'fl'tJtliV^li'MOy master's degree in public administration alumni spending, as well as operations from James Madison University. Cur­ at the center, the study concluded that rently the Jefferson Center Foundation's the $32 million came from annual •%ilV/;Ji'ii)fy.c)f\V^|i'tj)iiitji.- director of patron services, Fortier chose sales activity and 310 jobs earning an '.OOlrlllllllinVOilliii !y|ii|rv/:]i::jtl.V the RHEC because it was geared to average of $35,142 per year supported .:'J'/il!!)ililhl 'I':lt1h working professionals. "It is convenient, by the center. "This is quite impres­ accessible and a warm environment sive," the report said, "considering for learning," he says. "It also lacks all that this annual impact is generated ife^~?Viflfl[:j>y/s|ll:V/M6)ii:<rt the bureaucracy and silos often found from a base annual budget of $9 mil­ 'W:!5ir:Ii'lir'V/ii;iiiF)i:l'.Vi!i)(!l<!rc)iitl:.! at larger traditional campuses, which lion [of the center and its member makes it much easier to focus on the institutions]." actual workload and excel." The center employs 13 full-time The only drawback for Fortier and five part-time employees. Despite that two-thirds of the region's 377 was a lack of electives in his satellite its unique mission, it doesn't enjoy larger employers were familiar with program. "Because we are a satellite broad recognition. The report showed the center, but 16 percent had never program, the tenured and adjunct professors do not reside in Roanoke. Each semester there were two courses offered, and you took it or missed it and had to wait again for it to come around." A variety of short-term programs, "It took us a long time to find such as GED certification and com­ puter training, are available for those the perfect building. I knew we not pursuing advanced degrees. James needed a lot of space to add says the culinary arts career certificate fitness and spa services to my offered through Virginia Western chiropractic practice. The folks Community College is so popular RHEC dedicated a separate building, at Waldvogel Commercial the Claude Moore Education Complex, Properties were very patient — just for it. and honest. And ultimately that Dr. David Trinkle, a psychiatrist helped us find this space." and Roanoke city councilman who also owns three local restaurants — Fork in the City, Fork in the Alley and Fork in Dr. Jennifer Walker, Balance the Market — hired several employees Chiropractic & Wellness who completed the program. "They seem to he able to quickly take on Let us help you with your next real estate transaction, management roles," he said. "Because of the school, they know the commu­ nity, too. Every restaurant that hires J www.waldvogelcomnnercial.com ^^^jj^^ one of these students has an edge up." WALDVOGEL 54G-342-0800 That edge, Trinkle adds, is es­ ComnwicH Properties iMlm, pecially important in the restaurant lausiness. "It's a tough business." RB 16 NOVEMBER 2013 .
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