What does a learning community look like?
For Visioneering Wichita's College Mecca Strategic Alliance, the hope is it will look a lot like south-central Kansas in the years to come.
To begin, a learning community will be a place that attracts more college students both locally and from outside the region. A place where education is not only for young people. Where there are jobs. And where colleges and universities are not separate but seamless working together to enrich its community.
As part of the Education Foundation, the College Mecca Alliance will work toward fulfilling the vision that south-central Kansas will have a globally competitive educational system that encourages and supports life-long learning and contributes to the social, cultural and economic vitality of our diverse community.
Its focus is on becoming a highly respected center for post-secondary education locally, nationally and internationally. The Alliance intends to start its work by:
Creating an awareness of the region as a college mecca and learning community Increasing the number of students in all area colleges and universities Providing graduate level education with world-class faculty and research facilities Providing classes and research that support employers’ goals for high-paying jobs Increasing research grants Identifying future technologies that can provide what it takes for the Wichita economy to be successful
Short-term plans call for taking an inventory of current resources at area colleges and universities, marketing to targeted audiences and strengthening relationships with local employers.
To track its success, the Alliance will measure the number of post-secondary students and research dollars on an annual basis.
At least one member of the Alliance calls this an “incredible moment in time to define the region as a leader for higher education among its peers. The benefit to the community? Timeless.
