The Convergence Technology Center at Collin College

Last week, I had the privilege of visiting Collin College and attending the National Science Foundation funded Convergence Technology Center (CTC) National Visiting Committee meeting in Frisco, Texas.


Here's some information from the CTC website:

The CTC was established in 2004 at Collin College to meet the growing need for skilled specialists in the area of Convergence Technology and Home Technology Integration. The Center pulls together the strengths of regional and national educational institutions and business and industry partners to create of pool of qualified convergence technicians who can design, build, test, secure and troubleshoot communication infrastructure and devices in the convergence technology arena, both for enterprise and home markets.

This center has four primary goals:

1. Program Improvement: Develop convergence technology and interoperability curriculum to meet workforce needs;
Objective A: Determine skills required by the region for convergence technology
Objective B: Design convergence technology curriculum

2. Professional Development for Educators: Equip regional faculty to teach convergence technology;
Objective A: Develop opportunities for educator professional development

3. Recruit and Attract underserved populations into the field of convergence technology;
Objective A: Recruit and attract underserved into the Convergent Technology programs
Objective B: Retain/graduate underserved populations in Convergent Technology programs

4. Capacity Building: Function as a Regional Distribution Center.
Objective A: Provide access to the CTC Convergence lab with regional business and college partners
Objective B: Serve as a clearinghouse for education materials on convergence technologies

Three college districts drive the work of the Convergence Technology Center, led by:

• Dr. Ann Beheler, Principal Investigator (PI), Vice President - Academic Affairs, Porterville College
  
• Dr. Bette Plog, Co-PI, Professor and Director, Information Technology Institute, Information Technology Programs and Systems Support, El Centro College, Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD)
• David Keathly, Co-PI, University of North Texas,Computer Science and Engineering Lecturer and Undergraduate Advisor
  
• Helen Sullivan, Director, CTC
  
• Ann Blackman, Program Manager, CTC

I am always so impressed with this group - the CTC in doing excellent work and we had an excellent meeting. Highlights included a tour of the brand new Frisco Independent School District Career and Technical Education Center.

Additional pictures taken at the meeting are linked here.