Readers’ Views: Importance of BRCC chancellor
After an intense day of interviews on Nov.18, a recommendation will soon be made by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System on the new chancellor for Baton Rouge Community College. It is important to reflect on the important role that the new leader will have in the economic development efforts of our region.
In many ways, we have been fortunate. Our last two BRCC chancellors have grown and shaped this institution that in many ways is still new. When you consider the age of many community colleges and junior colleges around the country, including places such as Delgado in New Orleans, BRCC is still young in terms of its operational history. We encourage its next leader to continue its successful growth while deepening and strengthening its role in economic development. The next chancellor can draw on many great examples of community colleges that have successful, solution-oriented workforce development programs linked to the needs of their region’s growth sectors. In many places, community colleges have programs and infrastructure that are among the region’s most important assets when helping existing firms to expand and for attracting new businesses.
A major area of opportunity in Baton Rouge is Smiley Heights, which the next chancellor must spearhead as his or her signature project for transformation. The institution can build a campus that is oriented toward workforce needs. In partnership with the Smiley Heights plan, we would hope that the next chancellor also would intuitively understand that we need the type of talent that has made FastStart so successful for Louisiana Economic Development.
The infrastructure at Smiley Heights would be well-complemented by a BRCC team who respond like private-sector workforce providers, but do so within the public sphere.
The second major area of opportunity is a dual enrollment program with area high schools. A rich dual-enrollment program aligned to K-12 education would allow high school seniors to graduate with associate degrees and technical certificates and be prepared for careers immediately after high school.
With new facilities and a new team for business development services, the next chancellor should continue the transformational efforts of BRCC that have taken place over the last decade.
Adam Knapp, president and CEO
Baton Rouge Area Chamber
Baton Rouge