Connecticut Community College System
"Holt, Wexler & Farnam has proven its capacity to assist its clients with complex challenges through the clear presentation of data, skillful facilitation of diverse partners, and development of innovative and comprehensive strategic solutions. HWF has not only helped the Community College System gain access to financial resources, but also to transform its approach to statewide challenges."
- Paul Susen, Chief Academic Officer, Connecticut Community College System
The Connecticut Community College System (CCCS) awarded 591 allied health degrees during 2003-2004, with an 89% graduate placement rate. Despite this success, lingering challenges prevented the 12-college system from adequately meeting growing employer demand for health care professionals.
In 2005, the CCCS asked HWF to prepare its first system-wide grant application for federal funding. HWF identified this as an opportunity for the CCCS to strengthen its operational structure, and led an intensive, one-month strategic planning process with representatives from all12 colleges and industry, education, and workforce investment partners. After achieving consensus on the need for a system-wide response, HWF led the development of a proposal explaining how systems would be bolstered across instruction, curriculum, and counseling services.
The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the CCCS $2.15 million to produce more graduates in its nursing and allied health degree programs. The CCCS sought HWF assistance again in 2006, and was awarded an additional $2.17 million in federal funds to expand system-wide capacity-building efforts to nursing and allied health certificate programs. Based on the success of these efforts, the 12 colleges now routinely collaborate to address issues that were previously left to individual colleges.