After studying job data and trends, College officials recognized explosive job growth related to the ongoing computerization of medical records and sought to develop an educational program to help graduates land well-paying careers in the field. According to estimates by the American Medical Informatics Association, it will take as many as 200,000 workers to satisfy the projected job market demand, with thousands of positions in Washington State alone.

Graduates of the program can expect to find positions in anything from large hospitals to small physicians’ offices, developing and managing systems to record the vast amounts of electronic health information. The first classes are set to begin fall quarter, September 2012. The college expects to enroll 45 students in the first year, with annual enrollments growing to 90 students by year four.

“This new degree program is another example of how Bellevue College is educating people for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Dr. Kevin McCarthy, dean of Bellevue College’s Health Sciences, Education & Wellness Institute. “We did a lot of homework to identify a field that is going to be in-demand for many years to come. Our efforts are helping residents of our state gain access to affordable education so they can get jobs and progress in their fields, enabling them to better support themselves and their families.” 

The program completed the approval process on Jan. 23 when the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) gave its authorization. It joins two other four-year degrees currently offered at BC: a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Radiation and Imaging Sciences.

Community colleges like BC have typically offered only two-year degrees and certificates. However, a study by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2008 concluded that existing universities could not provide enough graduates with bachelor’s degrees to meet the employment needs of companies and organizations here in Washington. Although no specific plans have been finalized, BC officials are currently studying options for creating additional bachelor’s degree programs in the future.

About Bellevue College: Serving 38,000 students each year, Bellevue College (BC) is the third largest educational institution in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year baccalaureate degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

WHEN:  Events take place the week of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, beginning Jan. 16 (see below). On Thursday, Jan. 19, Mr. Harrell will speak twice, at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., with a reception to follow at 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:  Bellevue College’s Carlson Theater (for Jan. 19 event) on Bellevue College’s campus; 3000 Landerholm Circle SE

OF INTEREST:

•  The Thursday event is part of a week-long celebration of Dr. King’s life, beginning with participation by students, faculty and staff in the 30th Annual MLK Rally and March in Seattle, on Monday, Jan. 16.

•  BC is honored to have Seattle City Councilmember, community leader and civil rights champion Bruch Harrell deliver this year’s keynote address on this year’s theme, “Dream with Vision, Live with Purpose,” on Thursday, Jan. 19.

•  Other events include:

o  Seminar titled, “Respect our Rights: Are We Living the MLK dream?” on Tuesday, Jan. 17 in room C130 o  Day of Creative Expression on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in room C130.

o  A Community Potluck and Dance, sponsored by the Black Student Union, will cap the week on Friday, Jan. 20.

•  All events are free and open to the public. For more information on the events, contact BC’s Office of Multicultural Services at (425) 564-4064.

About Bellevue College: Serving 38,000 people each year, Bellevue College (BC) is the third largest educational institution in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four year bachelor’s degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

Visit Bellevue College on the web at www.bellevuecollege.edu

 
Free FedEx at Blue Nile – Order by 12/23 for Christmas delivery!
 As part of the Founding Circle, Bellevue College has the distinction of being the only institution in Washington State to take the lead in making this commitment. The students of Bellevue College made this possible through an initiative that created the Student Environmental Sustainability Fund (SESF). Using a designated student fee, the fund provides resources for environmentally beneficial activities and upgrades on campus. “It’s about what we can do for the college, the community, and the nation as a responsible global citizen,” said Associated Student Government Environmental and Social Responsibility Representative Megan Phan. The college is currently in the midst of a major audit of all lighting, HVAC and water systems to identify opportunities to save resources and money. The audit is being conducted through the State Energy Savings Performance Contracting program.

The Challenge is inspired by the exceptional performance of existing green revolving funds, which have a median annual return on investment of 32 percent, as documented by “Greening the Bottom Line,” a report published by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. A bright spot in a rocky economy, these profitable investments are helping to create green jobs in campus communities, while lowering operating costs on college and university campuses.
“We’re transforming energy efficiency upgrades from perceived expenses to high-return investment opportunities,” said Mark Orlowski, executive director of the Sustainable Endowments Institute, which is coordinating The Challenge along with 13 partner organizations. “Bellevue College should be commended for rising to The Challenge and investing in energy efficiency improvements on campus.”

Please visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/sustainability for more information on Bellevue College’s sustainability efforts, or www.GreenBillion.org to find out more about the Billion Dollar Challenge.

The Safeway store at Evergreen Village in Bellevue (1645 140^th Ave. NE) is covering the cost of tuition for Bellevue College student Eldin Juzvin. After completing a certificate in Retail Management, Juzvin hopes to earn a degree in Business Administration.

Managers at the Marshalls store at Overlake Fashion Plaza in Redmond (2150 148^th Ave. NE), the second winner, encouraged student Elena Semaykina to take English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and created a work schedule that allows for regular attendance.

“In these difficult economic times, many students face challenges in juggling work, school and family obligations. The instructors here at Bellevue College have found that some of the most successful working students have supportive and understanding employers, like Safeway and Marshalls. This support can come in a variety of ways, including flexible work hours, tuition reimbursement, mentoring, and more,” said Program Chair Tom Graham.

Bellevue College’s Developmental Education department offers classes in English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education (reading, writing and math), GED preparation, and workplace readiness.

Dr. Chin is the founding Executive Director of Year Up Puget Sound, a one-year job training and internship program for young adults. Previously, she served as executive director at Jubilee Women’s Center, Community Birth & Family Center, and Open Arms Perinatal Services in Seattle. She is also a partner in Social Venture Partners, where she served as Board Chair in 2008-09.

Dr. Chin received her Ph.D in Education from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and her B.A. in Political Science and Art from Wellesley College.

She joins a Bellevue College Board of Trustees comprising Vicki Orrico, Paul Chiles, Marie Gunn and Steve Miller.

Every star has a story. Some are as old as time, faint and almost forgotten. Others burn bright and end their lives in powerful explosions. New stars are created every day, born of vast clouds of gas and dust. Through every phase of their existence, stars release the energy that powers the universe.

BC’s Geer Planetarium uses the advanced Digistar 3 computer system to project and move images.

Tickets for the popular shows are free, but because seating is limited they should be reserved at the Brown Paper Tickets website: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/198381

An additional 15 seats will be saved for those who were unable to reserve advance tickets online. At 7pm on the night of the show, a waitlist sign-up sheet will be posted outside of the Planetarium.

“Stars” will also be presented again on November 4 and December 2.

The Geer Planetarium is in Room B244 on the Bellevue College campus. More info: http://scidiv.bellevuecollege.edu/sami/

Participants can pre-register at www.Active.com  or www.GetMeRegistered.com . Registration on the day of the race will start at 7:30am. The 5K race starts at 9am, and the Kids’ Race at 10am. The Bellevue College campus is near 148^th Ave. SE and I-90 in southeast Bellevue. The address is 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, 98006.

Proceeds from the BC 5K will help provide tuition assistance to students and support high-impact educational programs like worker retraining that equip individuals with relevant job skills to get them back into a family-wage job.

More information is at https://bellevuecollege.edu/foundation/events/

The student center is the hub of BC campus student activity. It houses student lounges, coffee shops, meeting rooms and study areas as well as the college cafeteria. The second floor of the complex is home to student government, a variety of clubs and the campus newspaper, the Jibsheet.

Floten’s tenure as Bellevue College president began in 1989. She announced her resignation in May. The BC Board of Trustees has appointed Laura Saunders as interim president and begun a national search for a new president. The public is invited to provide input on the Presidential search at http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/presidentsearch/

For more information see www.bellevuecollege.edu

Scores of visitors toured the campus during Tuesday’s open house. The event provided an opportunity to meet instructors, free mini-classes in Database, Adobe, Programming and WebMatrix, Tai Chi and yoga demonstrations, and a student art show.

The North Campus is a single building at 14673 NE 29th Pl, just off SR-520 and 148th Ave NE. Bellevue College’s main campus is at 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, just off I-90 and 148^th Ave SE.

Congratulations Jean!

The student center is the hub of BC campus student activity. It houses student lounges, coffee shops, meeting rooms and study areas as well as the college cafeteria. The second floor of the complex is home to student government, a variety of clubs and the campus newspaper, the Jibsheet.

Floten’s tenure as Bellevue College president began in 1989. She announced in May that she is leaving BC to take a position as Chancellor of WGU Washington.

The BC Board of Trustees has appointed Laura Saunders as interim president and begun a national search for a new president.