MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College received a $3.5 million grant, enabling them to work with Heritage University to offer students three new online programs.

Programs developed through the five-year grant are interdisciplinary studies, early childhood education and applied technology. Students can receive a baccalaureate degree in all three and an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies and early childhood education.

“This expands on the mission of the college, which is to serve students in the service area, particularly students that have barriers to gaining their college education,” said Title V director Terry Kinzel. “The emphasis of this new grant is increasing our ability to offer distance learning as well as the partnership with Heritage to have transferable degrees.”

Entitled “Title V,” the grant awarded to Big Bend is one of nine awarded nationally. It allows the college to utilize technology to increase student access and success for Hispanic, low income and rural students.

“We are passionate about our students and want them to do well,” Kinzel said. “We want everyone to have a successful experience and get what they want from their education.”

The online programs give students with full time jobs the flexibility to continue working while obtaining their degree.

“This is important for people that may feel they are trapped in lower wage jobs and can’t leave them because they have other responsibilities,” Kinzel said.

Big Bend uses data from an Achieving the Dream grant to determine what services and resources are needed to help students become more successful. It is geared toward students that are less prepared for college, low income, first generation and diverse students.

“This allowed us to become a data-driven organization and we examine this data before making any decisions,” Kinzel said.

Big Bend is also increasing the availability of courses offered through the software program, MediaSite. MediaSite allows students to experience class as though they were in the classroom by recording professors as they teach. Students can log onto the site and view the instruction live or visit later through the saved directory. All visual materials such as PowerPoint files, overheads and white boards are captured on MediaSite.

“MediaSite has given the online classroom a new look and feel that is an improved learning environment for our students,” stated president Bill Bonaudi.

The Title V funds become effective Oct. 1. Big Bend and Heritage staff members are working on the first phase of implementation. The online programs are available in 2014.

Originally published September 22, 2009.