There are five candidates, including both incumbents, running for the two Powell subdistrict seats for Northwest College Board. The Powell Tribune asked each candidate four questions about the position they seek and some of the issues the college has been dealing with recently. 

Candidates were asked:

1. Why did you decide to run for the board?

2. What issues are you most interested in working on?

3. Enrollment has been low in recent years, what would you do to help address that?

4. With the process to prepare for construction of the new student center underway, what is the next big project you see on the horizon?

Carolyn Danko

Q1: You think after 16 years I would have had enough. But I feel like I can offer experience, interest and time. We’ve done so many things that are in progress, and I’d just like to be here to see them off. In working in the Powell schools I became the (Powell Education Association) president and part of my job was to go to school board meetings. After two years of that I was kind of hooked. And I’ve lived here since 1969, when only a few of (the campus buildings) were here.

Q2: What’s always at the top of the list is getting enough funding. The state has cut and cut and cut. In the glory days, we had more money than you could shake a stick at. It was at the point where the board could go to the national conventions, congregations in Washington, D.C., do all that kind of stuff. And finally, we decided, you know, that cost a lot of money we’d rather see it go to the students, because that’s why we’re here. You know, so the kids can get a great education. And I’m always so pleased when I hear either teachers say that you know, we received great, well prepared students. 

Q3: Our total population of college age people is way down. And it depends on which report you read, but it’s anywhere from 10% to 15%. So we don’t have enough bodies. And then with the pandemic. A lot of them have realized that, gee, you know, they looked around and they said, I can get a pretty good job right now. But I think the biggest thing that I read is just about every article says affordability. So that’s why we have some extra scholarships to help that. Everybody is fighting for this same group of students that don’t really exist anymore. My son is a lieutenant colonel in the Army. And, you know, he said, we’re having a hard time recruiting. Well, there aren’t as many people to be recruited. So you’ve got the military. You go to any place downtown, every place in town, ‘We’re hiring.’ We’re trying really hard to provide training, we have programs for plumbers and electricians. And we have a simulator for large equipment so that when you finish, you can operate euipment like a crane.

Q4: First is to get (the student center done) but the next project will be to remodel and add on to the Nelson Performing Arts Building. 

Emily Hart

Q1: I am an NWC graduate and longtime resident of Powell. NWC has been part of my life since elementary school. I am now fortunate enough to be in a position to devote my time, determination, and valuable skillset to support an establishment that has given me so much. 

Q2: To continually foster a positive and transparent relationship between NWC and our community.

To provide support to NWC as they navigate the barriers ahead including enrollment trends and the perceptions of community colleges. 

To focus on the evolution of this institution to quickly and qualitatively meet the needs of the changing student while smoothly transitioning them into the workforce.

Q3: The culture surrounding higher education has shifted, particularly for community college. COVID amplified these changes while challenging what is and is not possible. 

We need to better understand what the college student of today is looking for and how to meet their changing needs. I do not believe we can continue to rely on our traditional methods of enrollment to sustain. I do not know the best trajectory at this time. I believe more research is needed before a plan of action is implemented. 

Q4: I continue to meet with administration, staff, faculty, students, and community members to gain the best understanding of current affairs and perspectives. I am still learning the needs and wants so I am unable to pinpoint a particular project at this time. However, I would keep the focus on enrollment and offering diverse and quality programs while I learn more from those involved. 

Denise Laursen

Q1: NWC has always been important to me as I am a graduate of NWC and a transfer student to UW. Over the years, I have watched NWC go through many ups and downs, often wondering why some of the decisions have been made by the board. For several years, I have said that I would like to be part of the NWC board, now seems to be a perfect time in my life to run for one of these positions. 

I will bring some different perspectives to the board, having worked through issues with Covid and the delivery of education through these times. With 38 years of experience in working within PCSD1 at the middle school and high school level, I will bring an understanding of what the needs of the students coming into the institution as high school transfer students. 

There is the adult learner, coming back to higher education to learn new skills to improve personal growth. Are we meeting the needs of these students? Last spring, I had the opportunity to attend a conference in which presenters talked about the needs of business and industry, the future of jobs and relationship to robots and technology doing entry level jobs, training of the work force for future jobs that we cannot even comprehend. 

A few years ago, I attended a conference that discussed the future of employment, so much information about the future started to overwhelm me. We must prepare employers and employees with the ability to be flexible, become problem solvers, and understand new technologies that are coming. Studies show that the students who are graduating from high school and college will have a highest number of entrepreneurial businesses than ever. 

Q2: Using data available, I would like to be part of the board to help update and possibly create programs that are in high demand. As I have worked with different associations, I listen to what other educational institutions are doing in the state, and I would love to hear NWC be one of those innovative schools. NWC is working diligently to develop new programs of study and should be applauded for this. One can see the desire of the institution to become one of the best for new programs in the state. Big Horn Basin is a unique area in the state, yet we are isolated from the rest of the state at the same time.  Here there is high demand in medical industry, education, hospitality, technology, and all areas related to these. NWC needs to also make sure that we are protecting courses offerings that allow all students to be well rounded in the education process.

Q3: There are four areas that NWC needs to make is provided. 

NWC has a good transfer program, but there is a demand for more CTE opportunities as well.  NWC needs to meet the needs of the adults who would like to learn and improve new skills while increasing their income. NWC needs to continue to provide the opportunity for all community members to learn something new, at any age! 

Certification and apprentice programs are in high demand. Because of the fast-paced changes in industries, NWC will need to continue to evaluate and change with the demand. There will need to be more recruitment, giving adult learners new skills and find a new occupation with retraining, there will need to be continued evaluation of what will bring adult learners and their families to NWC.

Other adults would like to attend classes at NWC for personal growth. Can there be more to help those to attend classes at the college. Business classes need to be promoted more for those who plan to open their own business, including those online businesses. 

There are great opportunities in this area that NWC provides, so looking at new and different ways to promote the program is a must.  The college is hosting more small conferences, which does help with promotion as well.  To help promote NWC, there needs to be more opportunities to have presentation by NWC students in high school classrooms or school wide presentation for schools in the Big Horn Basin, as well as some of the small schools in Montana, and other surrounding states. Continue to bring high schools to the college for visits to learn about different programs of study, make sure that there are current programs for demands for employment, updated retraining, having staff connection with present students in programs, and offer a variety of learning opportunities, can also be of great value for promotion. 

One of the most important aspects of a small campus is the personal connection with staff.  With the number of high school students taking online classes, is there that connectivity to NWC?  For the new college student, a mentor is a very valuable part of the education process. The college has quality programs in place for those who need extra help, but not all students would be in these programs. What can the board do to help all staff connect with those students who do not have a mentor? 

Staff might also need to look at offering more classes during evening hours and weekends to meet the demand of those who are working a traditional 40 hour a week job. I know how hard this is, but travel is part of what we do in this state, so we might have to go to the student to have an increase in the enrollment. I know the staff is working hard, so asking more of them will not be easy. 

Q4: There are several older buildings that will need to be updated and modernized. Because of the constant change with technology and related industry, the school needs a flexible building.  These types of buildings allow the redesign of the building easily to meet employment demands quickly. If the state sees a need in having more engineering techs in a specific area for example, the college could quickly change the facility to meet the needs for new equipment to meet the requirements for new certifications or two-year programs to meet the demand. 

Quality data will help the school determine what the needs will be based on the job demands for the area as well as for the state. Working to stay ahead of the demand will take a great deal of planning and thinking outside the box. Staff at the college are amazing and will be willing to help with the process. What I am seeing is that NWC staff are looking towards the future. It will not be easy, as all of education is changing. The way we have always done things in all levels of education will not work anymore. Demands in all levels of education will challenge all to problem solve, think creatively, and look towards new adventures in life. 

Mallory Riley

Q1: I chose to run for the NWC board of trustees (the “board”) because I believe that the community deserves more of a voice in the future of the college. Many community members have expressed concerns about the college and the direction it has been going lately. I want to be a voice for the community.

Q2: I am interested in working with the rest of the board to address the community’s concerns regarding the reduction of staff, programs, and facility-utilization. I would specifically like to address: the creation of new programs, support for enrollment/admissions efforts, faculty recruitment, and building retention. I have been very disheartened by the decisions of NWC administration and the current board regarding the former NWC day care and the former NWC bookstore. I would like to see the NWC Field Camp operating again and housing at the NWC West Campus: Trapper Village West at maximum capacity. I’m tired of excuses as to why we are cutting people, programs, and facilities. I want more accountability and critical thinking by the board and by the NWC administration.

Q3: First, I would build a new recruitment campaign for NWC focused on our outstanding job placement. I would want students to know that earning a degree at NWC means being able to get a job and pay the bills. It’s an expensive world we live in and students are wanting an education that will get them somewhere. NWC has always excelled at helping its students get where they want to go, but that hasn’t been a focus in recent recruitment efforts. Second, I would increase support staff on campus so that current and prospective students receive the help they need navigating their college careers. Third, I would bring the NWC day care and bookstore back into operation. Lastly, I would make sure that our existing facilities are properly maintained and used; the NWC Field Camp should be returned to operation and leveraged in recruitment efforts.

Q4: I would honestly like to see no more “big projects” on the horizon for NWC. I want to see NWC use what it has rather than spending money on expensive superficial changes that won’t solve the fundamental issues facing the college.

Dusty Spomer

Q1: First, the college has recently completed a transformational process to ensure the institution is prepared for the next decade and beyond.  This resulted in a new strategic plan which is now being implemented.  Continuity in trustees is key to the success of the strategic plan where the trustees play a critical role along with administration, faculty and staff to succeed in the goals of the new plan. Secondly, the college is undertaking a $20 million plus student center replacement project, a project that has been over a decade in planning and developing a funding plan.  The college and foundation have teamed to pay for half and the state is funding the remainder of the project. Every board member has strengths in their experience.  My background happens to bring construction, engineering and contracting experience to the board that will be useful as we complete this project.

Q2: Strategic plan to ensure the long-term sustainability and institutional effectiveness.  Construction of the student center.

Q3: The strategic plan is aimed at this, so my push will be to provide effort and focus on board goals supportive of and as drivers for the strategic plan.

Q4: Again, focusing all board energy on the strategic plan. I see continued focus on efficient use of our facilities and making a major reduction in deferred maintenance. I also want to focus effort on developing new, innovative, distinctive and relevant programs focused on the uniqueness of our location in the Rocky Mountains and as a neighbor to Yellowstone National Park.