College of Marin Hosts Its First Innovations Conference

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News Contact:
Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Director
Communications & Community Relations
415-485-9528

College of Marin Hosts Its First Innovations Conference

Two-Day Event Includes Tours, Demonstrations and Workshops

NOVATO, Calif.—April 23, 2009—College of Marin Indian Valley Campus is extending an open invitation to the community to be part of the Innovations Conference, a two-day event showcasing state-of-the-art career and vocational programs. The conference will be held on Friday, May 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday May 9, 2009, from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. While both days are open to the public free of charge, reservations are required for Friday’s breakfast and luncheon sessions. Reservations for Friday events can be made by sending an email to careers@marin.edu.

“We are delighted to extend this invitation to community members so that they may have an opportunity to experience first-hand the great progress that has been made at College of Marin’s Indian Valley Campus in recent years,” said Frances L. White, Ph.D., College of Marin superintendent/president.

The campus has grown 92 percent since the fall of 2005 thanks to improved marketing efforts, the addition of new technology in classrooms, expansion of program offerings, and boosting the number of courses that are transferable to four-year universities. Enrollment has grown from under 800 students in 2005 to about 1,400 students in spring 2009.

“In the last three and a half years, the Indian Valley Campus has really undergone a great transformation,” said Nanda Schorske, dean of Workforce Development & College Community Partnerships. “There has been a great commitment by the administration and Board of Trustees in revitalizing the Indian Valley Campus so that the College of Marin could serve residents in the northern part of the county.”

Friday Program
The conference will begin Friday, May 8 at 8:30 a.m., in POMO 188, bldg. 5, with a breakfast hosted by the college and a demonstration of the Marin Regional Simulation Center. Reservations can be made by sending an email to careers@marin.edu.

Nursing students and faculty will demonstrate how high fidelity mannequins provide life-like physiological responses used in training for high risk medical scenarios. The Simulation Center is funded by Founding Partners: Kaiser Permanente San Rafael, Dominican University of California, Sonoma State University, Novato Community Hospital, Marin General Hospital and COM. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation also provided a generous donation for the Simulation Lab.

At 11 a.m., guests are invited to attend a tour and dedication of the Organic Farm and Garden, which was established with the help of Conservation Corps North Bay and the University of California Cooperative Extension Marin Master Gardeners and COM. A luncheon will follow. Reservations can be made by sending an email to careers@marin.edu.

At 3 p.m., in Miwok 181, bldg. 16, guests are invited attend a panel discussion about the federal stimulus package and its impact on local entities. The event, co-hosted by the College of Marin, the Workforce Investment Board of Marin County and the Marin Economic Commission, will feature community leaders who will be receiving and implementing stimulus funding dollars in Marin County. Anyone who wants to learn more about plans in Marin County for stimulus funding is invited to attend. A reception follows.

There is no cost to attend Friday events but space is limited and reservations are required. Please contact careers@marin.edu for more information.

Saturday Program
On Saturday, May 9, on the campus green (follow the balloons), prospective students and community members are invited to drop in on the conference between 9:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. to get a firsthand glimpse of career and vocational programs. Campus guides will be onsite to help guests find their way to the hourly presentations and workshops by the following programs:
• Early Childhood Development and Child and Adolescent Development
• Court Reporting
• Multimedia
• Apprenticeship Programs for the Construction Trade
• Auto Collision Repair and Technology
• Environmental Landscaping, Organic Farming and Gardening
• Emergency Medical Technician Program (will include a scenario in the simulation lab) and Medical and Dental Programs.

Each program begins at 15 minutes after the hour between 10:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. There is no cost and no reservations are needed. Free lemonade and bagels will be served. A coffee cart with healthy food and snacks for sale will be on campus as well. Come see how College of Marin is leading the way in job training with innovations in career and university transfer programs. For more information contact Nanda Schorske, nanda.schorske@marin.edu.

College of Marin is one of 112 public community colleges in California and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Approximately 10,000 credit and noncredit students enroll each fall and spring semester. Classes also are offered during the summer.

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For any member of the community seeking accommodations for the disabled, please contact (415) 485-9340. College of Marin students seeking academic adjustments should contact (415) 485-9406.