Taking Learning To A Higher Degree I Donnelly now offers three bachelor's programs

Taking Learning To A Higher Degree I Donnelly now offers three bachelor's programs

THE INSTITUTION THAT IS THE BEST-KEPT SECRET OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS HAS A SECRET OF ITS OWN THAT IT IS READY TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE. 

For 65 years, Donnelly College has provided quality education at affordable rates, embracing every student who enters its doors. Those students now can stay longer since the College started offering bachelor’s degree programs. 

In addition to associate degrees and health care certificates, learners can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Applied Science in organizational leadership, a Bachelor of Science in elementary education or a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. 

As the only college or university that has bachelor’s programs in Wyandotte County, Donnelly is uniquely positioned to push students even further on their path to success while studying in a convenient location that is close to home. 

The College is proud to share information about these programs with its alumni and friends. Read on to learn more about these groundbreaking programs. 


INFORMATION SYSTEMS 

In its transition from a two-year college to one that also offers multiple bachelor’s degrees, Donnelly College added a program that allows students to become equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in one of today’s most in-demand fields: information systems. 

Starting in the 2013-14 school year, interested Donnelly students began working toward a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. Led by Director of Information Systems Dr. Stacy Yeager- Huddleston, the program is great for people who want to learn about the inner-workings of computers and their functionalities in modern society. 

With generous job opportunities in markets worldwide, the information systems industry is bustling and has a constant need for workers. Donnelly’s program teaches students to apply the knowledge and theories they learn to various work environments centered on information systems. Students also have the opportunity to intern or work in a chosen field of study, further preparing them for their future careers. 

According to Dr. Yeager-Huddleston, “The bachelor’s degree program in information systems prepares students for middle and supervisory positions by providing practical, hands-on experience; skills that can be applied to multiple computer systems and tools to prepare students for leadership roles.” 

The Information Systems program is open to everyone who meets the prerequisite requirements; as such, Dr. Yeager-Huddleston works with administrators at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley and Johnson County Community College to maintain and cultivate new articulation agreements in order to better serve potential students looking for a seamless transition between schools. 

“As leader of the department, my short-term goal is to have articulation agreements with all schools in Kansas and Missouri by the end of 2015,” Dr. Yeager-Huddleston notes. 

She says she expects the program to continue growing. The first freshmen cohort for this track began in August, with the goal that each student earns an associate and a bachelor’s degree through Donnelly. 

“The Information Systems program — along with Organizational Leadership and Urban Teacher Education — provides an opportunity that has not existed before: It allows people in the community to earn a competitive, four- year bachelor’s degree close to home,” Dr. Yeager-Huddleston emphasizes. 


ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP 

Most people are familiar with business degrees, yet not as many understand the distinction from an organizational leadership track. Learners interested in going into corporate environments, nonprofit organizations and government agencies can all get their start at Donnelly College. 

With solid curriculum featuring business, marketing plus leadership and real-world experience built into the program requirements, Donnelly’s Organizational Leadership students become natural leaders in their field. 

“The beauty of the OL degree is that students can enter into almost any field they’re interested in,” says Organizational Leadership Program Director Dr. Susan Keim. “The challenge can be narrowing down that sphere of interest. The sky is the limit with this degree.” 

In addition to the knowledge OL students gain in an array of topics like communications, human relations and economics, they also all complete a two-semester capstone project during their senior year. 

“It’s an excellent way for the students to put together everything they’ve learned and either have an internship or create a project so they use all the skills they’ve acquired,” Dr. Keim shares. “When they leave Donnelly, they really have experienced the ups and downs of an organization firsthand.” 

Program completion prepares students for myriad positions. Donnelly’s OL grads are accountants, government employees, store managers, chefs, business owners and more; they work in public, private and nonprofit sectors. 

Dr. Keim further notes the “absolutely phenomenal” transformations she’s seen between when students enter the program and when they graduate. One such student, Dania Phillips, struggled with writing, self-confidence and trust when she first met Keim. 

“As I began to work with her on writing, she began to develop trust and self- confidence,” says Dr. Keim. “At the end of her time at Donnelly, she had grown into a very confident woman with exceptional leadership skills who I think will be a lifelong learner.” 

Another former student, Sean McEvoy, ’14, attended various institutions of higher education before sticking with Donnelly. His capstone project involved experimenting with positive reinforcement (in the form of money) to try to improve students’ grades — and it worked. Now McEvoy is a chef at Dean & Deluca. 

“I imagine we’ll be going to his own restaurant one of these days,” Dr. Keim says. “His parents were the proudest parents I saw at graduation last spring.” 


URBAN TEACHER EDUCATION 

Amongst the new programs recently added to Donnelly’s repertoire, one in particular prepares students to give back to communities just like the heart of Kansas City, Kansas — which the College has proudly served for 65 years. 

Donnelly’s Urban Teacher Education Program (UTEP) guides students through both classroom and field work en route to earning their Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Furthermore, UTEP students graduate with the English for Speakers of Other Languages endorsement. UTEP Director Dr. Brenda Harris says she is quite pleased with this component, as it typically must be completed separately from education degree requirements. 

“Today, schools are much more diverse and have an increased population of English language learners; this makes our candidates extremely employable,” Dr. Harris emphasizes. 

Not only does Donnelly aim to make the program easier to begin and complete, but the structure also ensures that those who enroll will succeed in their efforts. Each teacher candidate works closely with a College-to- Career Mentor — a seasoned educator who offers coaching and support from junior year through the first year of teaching. 

Additionally, beginning freshmen year, UTEP students gain direct exposure to the field, starting by observing and working their way up to student teaching during senior year. 

“I believe the early exposure to the urban classroom better prepares the aspiring teacher to understand the work, the commitment and the challenges that are involved in working in an urban school district,” she notes. 

One distinctive feature of Donnelly’s education program is its emphasis on preparation for urban environments. 

“The program has embedded diversity and multicultural issues throughout all of the coursework,” Dr. Harris says. “The candidate will have the opportunity to engage in rich discussions around race, social justice, diversity and the challenge that urban learners experience, as well as work in urban classrooms early in their programs.” 

And while UTEP graduates will be equipped to succeed teaching in an urban setting, employment options are numerous for those who complete Donnelly’s program. 

“Although this program has an urban focus, candidates have the option to work in rural and suburban school districts,” shares Dr. Harris. “What we provide for our candidates is best teaching practices that will support student learning in urban, suburban or rural school districts.” 

Going forward, Dr. Harris has big dreams for the program that launched in the fall of 2013. 

“In the next few years, I hope to see our student enrollment flourish,” she says. “My aim is to be a distinguished teacher education program that is known nationally for its outstanding teachers.” 

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