The Bellwether Awards annually recognize outstanding and innovative programs and practices that are successfully leading community colleges into the future. Applications for the 2008 awards will be competitively reviewed and finalists will be selected based on how well the programs address:

1. the conference theme
2. an identified critical issue
3. the published criteria

• Instructional Programs & Services: Programs or activities that have been designed and successfully implemented to foster or support teaching and learning in the community college.

• Planning, Governance & Finance: Programs or activities that have been designed and successfully implemented to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the community college.

• Workforce Development: Public and/or private strategic alliances and partnerships that promote community and economic development.

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Bellwether Application

Bellwether Application Guidelines

Finalists will be competitively selected based upon how well the program addresses:

1. the 2008 conference theme (Change or Die)
2. an identified critical issue 
3. the published criteria


Please read the Bellwether Awards F.A.Q. before applying.

Award Selection Process: Proposals for the 2008 Bellwether Awards will be competitively reviewed and ten finalists will be selected in each category. Finalists will be required to present at the 2008 CC Futures Assembly and will be encouraged to provide evidence of program results. These results and the presentation will be used in selecting the final award recipients. Notification of finalists is planned for late November.

The 2008 Community College Futures Assembly seeks nominations/applications for leading edge trend-setting Bellwether Programs that address one or more of the following critical issues:

• Funding – Resources, shortages & need for consistency
• PK-20 linkages/ CC-4 year linkages
• Assessment and accountability
• ROI – How do we demonstrate the value of community colleges
• How do we ensure the quality of faculty / instruction?
• Alignment K-12 with Higher Ed
• Should community colleges have different measures of success ( # degrees vs. higher earnings vs. better skills vs. student learning gains)
• Finding and keeping faculty with current skills needed in the marketplace of today and tomorrow
• Balance of priorities WD <->For credit limited resources, build cooperation, WD to help fund for credit
• Partnerships with community and business
• Continuing to be more responsiveness, flexible and innovation than the for-profit and university systems
• Be a pace setter – Funding for new programs to drive growth versus chasing growth. Ability to invest to incubate new programs.

 

1. Identify the issue or challenge that this cutting-edge program or activity was designed to address.
2. Describe the process, timeline, participants, and resources required to implement the program or activity.
3. Specify the results and/or impact.
4. Elaborate on lessons learned for colleges considering a replication of this initiative

   For further information/exploration:

   • "Another View" by Dale F. Campbell

Finalists will be invited to present at the 2008 Assembly and selected presentations will be published in the Community College Journal of Research and Practice.

In addition, the finalists will be the guests of honor at the 2008 Bellwether Awards reception, where each institution will receive a 2008 Bellwether Finalist award. 

At the awards luncheon, three winners will be presented the exclusive 2008 Bellwether Award. 

In recognition of their achievement, photographs and press releases will be provided to the Bellwether finalists for publication within their local community.