Tomorrow’s generation of students took center stage at Tuesday’s Allen Community College Board of Trustees meeting.
With Allen in the midst of planning for several facilities upgrades in the near future, including construction of a new student housing complex to replace a pair of aging dormitories, trustees heard plenty of factors to consider as they map out those plans.
Ryan Bilderback, leadership studies instructor, briefed trustees on what’s been dubbed the 2030 work group, a task force assigned with bringing the college’s preferred future into reality.
The 10-member group has met twice since it was appointed by trustees in August.
The “2030” refers to the year at which today’s middle-schoolers would reach college age.
“We all know that there’s a lot of competition for community colleges … especially in southeast Kansas,” Bilderback said.
The first meeting was to “get everyone on the same page, to talk about what this charge actually means, what it means for us moving forward,” he said.
The first topic centered on facilities — both in the classroom, and with student housing options.
Students increasingly expect high-speed internet and robust wireless coverage, with “smart” building amenities and security systems.
Additionally, shared social and communal spaces are increasingly important, such as lounges, group study rooms, makerspaces and kitchens for communal use, Bilderback noted.
Another deduction: student wellness should influence design, Bilderback said. Housing designs should consider more than a simple bed and bathroom, but include spaces of well-being.
A subsequent discussion with the ACC Student Senate indicates students rank private rooms, with no roommates as a top priority, particularly having a private bathroom.
Ice machines, curiously enough, were mentioned as well, Bilderback said.
Students also favored a new dorm built close enough to campus so students can easily walk to class.
The task force will meet on a monthly basis through April to focus on other topics, Bilderback said.
TRUSTEES also heard a video presentation from Michael Garvey of BDHP Architecture on “The Coming Wave: Generation Alpha Student Life Needs.”
Generation Alpha is the unofficial denomination for the generation born after 2012 — the same students considered with the 2030 workgroup.
BDHP has worked with universities across the country on educational facilities and student housing complexes, and as such, has studied many of the trends the Allen task force is considering.
For those students, Garvey said, Gen Alpha will grow up seamlessly connected, where such things as wifi access is the “cost of entry” for institutions to get those students to attend.
He also noted Gen Alpha’s makeup has been highly influenced by such things as the COVID-19 pandemic and the explosion of social media.
He predicted those students will grow up in a more social justice-normalized world, where cultures become more blended.
The college experience will likely be one of personal transformation as much as educational advancement, Garvey said, where holistic wellness and personal growth are integral.
He suggested residence halls built to foster community, but with personal security just as important.
Garvey coined the phrase “together alone” as an apt description of the Gen Alpha psyche.
OF MORE local interest, trustees also heard a presentation from Henry Lohman, an intern at Thrive Allen County.
Thrive hosted a student conversation at Allen in early November, to gather their thoughts.
A few takeaways:
Students who are in clubs or large friend groups tend to report a strong sense of community and belonging, Lohman said, with a shared sense of pride.
But for others — especially international students — they too often felt socially isolated, both on and off campus.
“There’s not a lot of places or events to develop that sense of belonging,” Lohman reported.
Food security also was cited as cause for concern, and transportation around town can be difficult for students without cars or access to friends with a car.
Additionally, study rooms are often full, and wifi in the college is often slow and clunky.
Often, the Allen students feel disconnected from the community as a whole, with minimal interaction.
“Students have said they feel like there isn’t much to do here,” Lohman said.
Several potential solutions were discussed as well, from students hosting community events, such as international food tasting sessions, or even an Olympics-style competition open to the entire community, where folks would compete in a variety of events, from playing basketball to karaoke.
Lohman said one student suggested hosting a year-end rummage sale for those unable to take their belongings home with them.
“The ultimate goal is to make a competitive and fun event that will get community members and college students to come together to form connections they wouldn’t have otherwise,” Lohman said.
Lohman planned to take conversation feedback to the Allen Student Senate to determine which events could become reality.
TRUSTEES approved creation of a Commercial Drivers License course, and will add a vocal music instructor for the 2026-27 school year.
The college has fielded requests from schools in both Humboldt and Burlington for a CDL course.
Allen has applied for a grant to fund materials and equipment for such a course, but has also reached out to local businesses in case that grant is unsuccessful. Their response was encouraging, reported Kara Wheeler, vice president for academic affairs.
VINCE DeGrado, longtime track and cross country coach, will shift responsibilities to become the college’s director of advancement, starting Jan. 1.
An interim track and field coach will be named until the positions are filled permanently.
Trustees also hired Dr. Linda Sterlington as a psychology instructor, Amelea Jones as agriculture education instructor and Roni Smith as Allied Health instructor. All three will begin at the start of the spring semester.
Trustees also accepted the resignations of Philip Pfeifer, assistant baseball coach, and Michael Rasmussen and Peyton Thopson, custodial and maintenance staffers.
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