Waterbury, Conn. - On Thursday, Feb. 21, NVCC held its winter all-college meeting to update the College on current goals and past achievements.

The following are segments from President De Filippis’ remarks. Click here to view full remarks.

Enrollment update

Our enrollment numbers at this time point to a semester that will most likely reflect a little more than 1% decline in our FTE and headcount numbers as compared to last spring. The latest report* I received shows a headcount of 6,996 and an FTE number of 4,002. After tomorrow, Joan Arbusto will be sending out our final numbers to the College community. I thank everyone for all you do each and every day for our students, and, in particular, I thank our colleagues in Admissions, the Center for Academic Planning and Student Success, the Registrar, the Business Office, Cashier’s Office, Public Safety and Academic Affairs for their support of advisement and registration. Colleagues at our Danbury Center are to be congratulated for their sustained growth which at this time** reflects 919 credit student headcount and 407 FTE.

*Final enrollment numbers: FTE = 4,025, Headcount = 7,007
** Final Danbury headcount remained the same.

NEASC update

Preliminary indications from the visiting NEASC accrediting team suggest that NVCC is living its mission and has a promising future. Dean Palmer and I will be attending the Commission meeting on April 18 to answer any pending questions. The self-study process and the way we organized to receive the visiting team do us all proud. Many are to be thanked for their hard work and intelligent contributions. View 2012 NEASC Report.

Graduation and completion

In May 2012, NVCC became the first community college in Connecticut to award more than 1,000 associate degrees and certificates, virtually doubling the number of awards in four years. Lauren Haddad Friedman reports that as she prepares our IPEDS submission, she has tracked a pattern for the freshmen class of 2009 that indicates our completion rates have almost doubled. Lauren will report the submission numbers on April 1 and will share those with the College community. We look to a larger than ever graduating class on May 30. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy has confirmed his participation as commencement keynote speaker. Pass rates on certification and licensure exams for the five NVCC career programs in allied health are at or near the 100% level. View past graduation data.

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center

NVCC's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center has had a very successful first semester. Of 56 students, 51 successfully completed their Level I Manufacturing certificates. An evening cohort of 24 students in the Level I certificate program began this spring. Continuing in the Level II certificate program are 46 students. Joe Defeo has been hard at work to secure internship opportunities to take place in March. About 25 companies have agreed to take our students. 

GEAR UP

NVCC, in partnership with the City of Waterbury, has successfully launched work on an $11.3 million GEAR UPgrant. We just heard that the federal government has agreed to extend the program to include 3 more K-8 schools. As a result, close to 2,500 students will be able participate.

Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence

In 2011-12, the College became the first Connecticut community college to be designated a host to a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence. By now, you have all had an opportunity to meet Pascal Meccariello. This semester, Pascal is working with students in his ceramics class to create a mural celebrating and embracing the power of culture, inclusiveness and life, to be placed on the wall in the sixth floor walkway in Technology Hall.

Click here to view full remarks.