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MCCA Annual Convention - November 8-10, 2023

12th Street

               Thursday, November 9, 2023               

8:45 AM - 9:30 AM ___________________________________________________________________

 

Session Title:  Growing Leaders From Within

 

Track:  Leadership & Institutional Transformation

 

Presenter(s):  Dee Coleman, Director of the MACC Kirksville Campus at Moberly Area Community College; Jeff Lashley, President of Moberly Area Community College

 

Session Description:  The MACC Leadership Group is a program designed to enhance leadership skills among faculty and staff within the community college setting. This program focuses on fostering a network of internal leaders, at all organizational levels, emphasizing collaboration, communication, and innovation. During this session we will share how the program has changed over time and is cultivating the next generation of leaders in higher education.

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10:15 AM - 11:00 AM ___________________________________________________________________

 

Session Title:  "Regenerating Responses": How We 3 Handle ChatGPT

 

Track:  Learning & Teaching

 

Presenter(s):  Stephanie Witcher, Communications Division Chair at Crowder College; Emily Lewis, English Instructor at Crowder College; Keith Zoromski, Provost of Instruction at Mineral Area College

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Session Description:  Hear how a Provost, Division Chair, and Instructor tackle plagiarism issues stemming from ChatGPT, as well as ways to embrace this new technology. We will discuss strategies for deterring student use, embracing ChatGPT in the classroom and workplace, and how we address inappropriate use by students. We will share perspectives from the classroom, division, and institutional level.

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1:00 PM - 1:45 PM ___________________________________________________________________

 

Session Title:  Soaring to New Heights: A K-12 and Community College Model for Partnership

 

Track:  Special Topics

 

Presenter(s):  Hal Hidgon, Chancellor at Ozarks Technical Community College; Grenita Lathan, Superintendent at Springfield Public Schools

 

Session Description:  This session will highlight the strong partnership between Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) and the largest public school district in the state, Springfield Public Schools (SPS). From career center programs including aviation and healthcare, to the Middle College partnership, to embedded advisors in the high schools, the two entities are working together to ensure all students in the district have access to opportunities. Superintendent Grenita Lathan and Chancellor Hal Higdon have forged a partnership that serves as a model for all K-12 and community college collaborations.

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2:30 PM - 3:15 PM ___________________________________________________________________

 

Session Title:  Athletic Viability: Sports CAN Pay for Themselves … Mostly

 

Track:  Enrollment, Retention & Completion

 

Presenter(s):  Dr. Joe Gilgour, President of Mineral Area College

 

Session Description:  Mineral Area College implemented a program called Athletic Viability in 2019. In 2019, the “big 5” sports at MAC were costing over $1,000,000 with $0 return on investment. This program required athletic programs to meet a viability score to reduce the net loss for the college. The results have been very successful.

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3:30 PM - 4:15 PM ___________________________________________________________________

 

Session Title:  A Different Perspective on ChatGPT and Its Significance in Education

 

Track:  Special Topics

 

Presenter(s):  Feng Hou, CIO of St. Louis Community College

 

Session Description:  The presentation "A Different Perspective on ChatGPT and its Significance in Education" aims to shed light on a common misunderstanding surrounding generative AI. Instead of focusing on the overstated abilities or the exaggerated fears, we explore how tools like ChatGPT and AGI, when appropriately utilized, can significantly enhance human cognitive capabilities. Drawing on the wisdom of Einstein's quote, we argue that these AI systems might hold the key to addressing problems too complex for our current level of thinking. Through a nuanced exploration of ChatGPT's role in education, we propose that AI can help us grasp concepts and solve problems that our current pedagogical methods cannot reach, thereby elevating our collective intelligence to a new level.  I believe that we may currently be misunderstanding the true significance of generative AI, we are either exaggerating its functions or being overly cautious. In my view, if used appropriately, ChatGPT and even AGI can enhance humanity's overall thinking ability and collective level of intelligence, helping us understand many things that we cannot comprehend in our current environment.

               Friday, November 10, 2023               

8:45 AM - 9:30 A___________________________________________________________________

 

Session Title:  Creating Access to the IT Workforce

 

Track:  Workforce Development: Partnerships & Apprenticeships

 

Presenter(s):  Julie Fickas, Campus President and Chief Academic Officer of St. Louis Community College; Bill Mitchell, Executive Director at Access Point

 

Session Description:  The Information Technology workforce has traditionally required a bachelor's degree for access.  Come and learn about this innovative public/private partnership that is creating a new pathway into these careers.

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