Universities New Hampshire

A career fair just for students

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 by Jacqui Lantagne

Our students juggle.

70% are working full-time and 18% have part-time employment. For most students, having a steady and reliable job is the cornerstone of making everything work - but in today's economy, it's never easy.

This is why we are thrilled to invite our students to the New Hampshire College & University Council's (NHCUC) Job Fair!

This fair is *exclusively* presented to students in New Hampshire who attend an institution that is a member of NHCUC, like Granite State College!

If you're on the job hunt or looking for a new opportunity, this is an AWESOME place to start - there will be over 50 employers present and ready to hire!

Here are the details:

My GSC Story

Friday, January 18, 2013 by Granite State College 40th Anniversary

I fell in love with Granite State College almost immediatley. I was initially drawn to GSC for two reasons: the main reason being it was one of a few schools in NH that offered a Criminal Justice degree. Secondly, it is a part of the NH university system, so I knew a majority of my credits from UNH Manchester would transfer over. I entered into GSC a 'different' type of student than I did when I entered into UNH Manchester almost 5 years ago to obtain my associates degree. This time around, I was a full-time working mom with bills to pay and more determined then ever to complete my bachelor's degree. I needed a school that would not only work around my schedule and daughter, but consisted of other faculty and students that knew where I was coming from. From the day I started, I knew GSC was the right choice for me. I fell in love with my online classes, the teachers, faculty, and fellow students. Not only have I been truly impressed with my courses, but I have also had such a pleasant experience dealing with the staff, whether it be financial aid or my counselor. GSC has given me a confidence that I have never felt before and an unparalleled passion for learning. I have been very successful at GSC and I am proud to say that I am a GSC student.

- Stephanie

My GSC Story

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 by Granite State College 40th Anniversary

I have always been, and always will be a learner. I found myself faced with having to be creative with my education when my parents had the difficult conversation with me that my acceptance to Northeastern University was not something they could afford, even with the $3,000 a semester scholarship. A well respected and accomplished student all throughout my childhood education and suddenly I was faced with having to create my own method of continuing my growth as an adult. Little did I realize at the time - this was a good position for someone like me to be in.

I was fortunate to get a contracted job with full benefits at the University of New Hampshire right out of high school Fall of 2001. It is the University System of New Hampshire I have to thank for my education – both professionally and academically. While working full-time at UNH, I attended classes part-time, receiving a free class each semester as long as I kept my GPA up. Some semesters I took on multiple classes; a couple I even attended full-time while continuing to work full-time as well. It took five years, but I was able to receive my Associate of Applied Science in Community Leadership at the Thompson School without any debt whatsoever. This degree focused a lot on non-profit management and leadership development. It literally opened my eyes to options for a career I had never considered before. I began to research local non profits and seek out leadership positions. This search successfully led me to working for Strafford County Nursing Home as an Activity Aide, which then turned into the positions I have held since, working with elderly and in non-profit agencies.

For my bachelor's degree I was referred to Granite State College as my professor and advisor thought the self-design program was right for me. She was certainly correct in thinking so! The self-design program at GSC, along with their supportive staff assisted me to create a meaningful and fulfilling curriculum that I use today in my statewide job. Granite State College is a school that works alongside with you, and that is why I love it so much.

I am now working on my master's degree in Leadership at GSC so I can truly complete the journey I have started for myself through the University System of NH. I currently oversee a federal, statewide program for NH call the Senior Companion Program. We have 80 volunteers who visit with over 400 frail and homebound elders and adults with disabilities in their homes. We partner with 27 fellow senior care and non profit agencies in our program. To have a master's degree of this aptitude I will be able to continue to expand my leadership role within the program and beyond. I have aspirations to be the Director of Elder Services for my agency one day. My current director is looking at retirement in the near future and I would love to take on the challenge. If not with the current agency I am in, I am now also considering working for a federal or state program with a high level of responsibility. I have always said since realizing I loved working with seniors, I would like to one day be an administrator who oversees a community living facility for seniors or even work with the Attorney General’s Office.

- Nicole

My GSC Story

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 by Granite State College 40th Anniversary

Like the majority of GSC (or in my case, CLL) learners, I came to the college via a circuitous route. It was on this journey of self discovery that I realized I needed to be involved in higher education for non-traditional learners. It was with my GSC degree in hand that I headed off to obtain my MBA so I could work with adult learners returning to school. Upon completing my master's, I was hired as an adjunct business faculty member within the community college system, which has lead me to my current profession as a Military Academic Advisor at Southern New Hampshire University. And to think, it all started in 1996 with my first GSC (CLL) class in the North Country.

- John

Reflecting on "Nashua's 50 and the next 20"

Friday, December 14, 2012 by Jacqui Lantagne

This week the Nashua Telegraph published this special feature:

Image source: nashuatelegraph.com

What we think is especially compelling is the section that profiles the business leaders of the next 20 years. We were proud to read about Nashua Community College's President, Lucille Jordan, and honored that GSC was mentioned as part of her story:

"Forty percent of [NCC] students transfer to four-year institutions to earn their bachelor's degree.

Making that easier is this year is the fact that Granite State College, part of the University System of New Hampshire, is now 'co-located' at NCC."

We are new to Nashua and this feature served as a great inspiration for what we can accomplish with their community. For example...

We have the opportunity to provide a convenient pathway for NCC students to expand their education goals and pursue a bachelor's degree with GSC

We can help business leaders retain their best employees with our master's degree programs like the M.S. in Leadership and M.S. in Project Management

We can engage with the healthcare community through our RN to BSN degree program

K-12 educators can pursue teacher certifications in the critical shortage areas in education and help to make a difference in the Nashua School District

These are just a few of our current goals in Nashua and we can't wait to lay our roots deep and explore the possibilities.

Congratulations to ALL who were honored in the "Nashua 50 and Next 20." Thank you for all that you do!

Teaching What You Practice

Friday, October 19, 2012 by Susan Gagnon

I love my job. I recently had the opportunity to attend two events and was able to be up close and personal with two of the University System of New Hampshire's (USNH) presidents—and this does not include the one I work for.

Each venue was different in topic and setting. After listening to each of the president’s messages, one passage was the same. “We are only given 6% of our budget from the State. Essentially, we run like a private school.” Could that have been planned? No, I seriously doubt College Presidents call each other the night before about wearing the same tie color or chat about the same message to give (that’s what Politicians do!). The message was said both times without judgment. It’s just a fact.

What impresses me most about working for this 31,000 student and 6,000 employee university system is that collegiality and respect runs rampant. For me, working for Granite State College’s relatively new graduate programs, I get a positive affirmation from a colleague almost each time I meet someone new. We are free to collaborate, explore, expand and discover the talents that each institution has that could benefit a sister school, and our voices are heard when we speak of ideas and change. Here, the equation is 1 + 1 = 3. Yes, you get more when you work together with excellence in leadership with what you have.

The more I thought about this academic environment I call my professional home, I began to realize that we also teach our students how we behave, or even better, what we believe. The collegiality in the USNH parallels the Granite State College Master of Science in Leadership. In part, the pedagogy behind our program in leadership comes from scholar Joe Raelin's Four C’s of Leadership: Collective, Concurrent, Collaborative and Compassionate. We are collective, which means that we can all serve as leaders, and can be heard. Concurrent is the thought that we can all have a say; a contribution is an important part of the process. Collaboratively, we all work together and engage in dialogue. And lastly, we have compassion, which preserves the dignity of everyone on the team, especially when an action is taken.

At GSC and our sister institutions, we practice this on a daily basis. Collectively, we work together coming up with solutions and ideas that serve the greater good of our students and our community—including our sister institutions. Concurrently, we are free to have leadership at all levels in our institutions—we are all important members. Collaboratively, we work together until a mutual idea is brought forth and found to be the best solution. And, we are compassionate through our humble nature. We don’t gloat. We worked together.

At Granite State College, our graduate programs' philosophy is to teach what you practice.

Breaking a World Record!

Friday, October 5, 2012 by Jacqui Lantagne

This morning, instead of heading to Granite State College, GSC’s President paid a visit to a different kind of education institution: Bow Elementary School!

Dr. Todd Leach, along with fellow college and university presidents across New Hampshire, joined young children in classrooms around the state for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, a world-record-breaking campaign in which adults and children nationwide will read the same book on the same day to establish the largest group of people ever to collectively read the same story on a single date.

This year Jumpstart’s featured book is the New York Times bestselling children’s book, Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad by David Soman and Jacky Davis.

The purpose of this event is to shine a national spotlight on America's early education achievement gap and to highlight Jumpstart's programs as a way to address this crisis. It’s a goal that GSC certainly understands.

In our School of Education, the teacher preparation programs focus in on the critical shortage areas that exist in education, which includes our early childhood education major.

GSC is proud to support Jumpstart’s mission through Read for the Record and proud to contribute by empowering future educators in our undergraduate degree programs and post-baccalaureate programs for teacher education.

On a personal note...

As a Jumpstart alumni, I was excited to learn that the New Hampshire College and University Presidents were going to participate in 2012's Read for the Record and it was a pleasure to help coordinate on behalf of GSC! I did three terms of service while I was earning my bachelor's degree and even have some photos to prove it (note the "vintage" Jumpstart blue from 7 years ago!).

-Jacqui Lantagne
Marketing Specialist, Granite State College
Jumpstart Corps Member and Team Leader, 2004-2007

Bending the Cost Curve

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by Todd Leach

The "Public Good" of higher education can only truly be achieved when it is accessible to the masses. As tuition increases across the country continue to outpace inflation and public funding (including financial aid) decreases, higher education begins to become unobtainable for more and more Americans. In fact, the U.S. has slipped dramatically relative to higher education trends around the globe and it is only logical that this will ultimately translate into a loss in comparative advantage and competitiveness. However, non-traditional pathways do exist that strive to keep tuition affordable and access to a quality education achievable for students who are able to find them. As a public institution with the University System of New Hampshire, it is important that Granite State College provide affordable access to the residents of New Hampshire and the region.

Granite State College was recently identified as a "Best Buy" through GetEducated.com for having the lowest bachelor tuition rate in New Hampshire and one of the twenty lowest accredited bachelor tuition rates in the nation. Granite State accomplishes this efficiency by focusing on teaching and learning rather than research or a residential experience. Our classes are taught largely by practicing professionals who can put theory to practice, and more than half our students attend classes online for adults. By offering every program online, including our graduate program, we minimize infrastructure costs and reach more students.

Granite State also maximizes affordability by being transfer friendly and by having a sophisticated system of prior learning assessment. In addition, accessing what financial aid is available is paramount to the ability of many students to attend. Granite State College is unique in our scheduling and calendar in that it is possible for a student to take one course at a time (using our 6-week hybrid model) and be eligible for full-time financial aid! Students may also be eligible for full-time financial aid in any one of our Fast Track programs.

So while the cost of higher education continues to outpace the ability of many students to pay, it is important that colleges such as Granite State College, remain committed to access to quality higher education through diligent cost containment; delivery and schedule innovation; online technology; and by focusing on our core mission of teaching and learning.

Greetings from Littleton

Monday, September 26, 2011 by Nicole Horne

Hello! Let me start with a bit about me. My name is Nicole Horne and I currently advise students out of our new Littleton NH college campus. My job here is to guide students in identifying and achieving their academic and career goals. My background in higher education includes academic counseling, mentoring, and teaching.

I grew up in North Haverhill, NH, and completed my undergraduate degree in English from the University of New Hampshire and my Master's of Education degree from Plymouth State University. As a native of northern NH, I enjoy working with the students in the northern pockets of our state. For many of our students (65% to be exact!), they are the first ever in their family to attend college. I take tremendous pride in watching those students reach their goal of a college degree, knowing they have made a positive impact not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of their children.

When I'm not at Granite State College, I can be found cheering on my two children in one of their many activities, chasing down one of our six animals or working on the small "hobby" farm I share with my husband.

One Thing Leads to Another

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 by Leslie Bowering

Since December 2010 when I graduated from Granite State College, I have been considering the possibilities of what I might do next. As a result of achieving my Bachelor's Degree in Language Arts, I have gotten involved in a writing project that is very important to me.

As a way to learn more about the book-writing process, I attended a Writer's Workshop at the University of Southern New Hampshire that was facilitated by Mary Carroll Moore, a published author.

Since the termination of my adults college classes at the Rochester NH and Portsmouth NH college campuses, I have missed the collaboration with my peers very much. I am transitioning to the next level of my educational journey. During my weekend workshop I once again felt the connection of being with like-minded individuals who were sharing my path. I think this is an important issue to address sooner than later, once the initial cessation of college classes sets in.

Life After High School

Friday, April 1, 2011 by Bette Papa

I recently attended the 2011 College Access Showcase sponsored by Campus Compact for NH and NHCUC. One of the workshops I attended was with John T. Kirkpatrick, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts, UNH. A dynamic and engaging speaker, John spoke about his experience as Dean and the challenges that new college students encounter. While his focus was on the traditional aged student in the New Hampshire university system, he made some great points that are appropriate for all of us.

The purpose of higher education is more than just filling students with information. It should not only develop the intellect but also the heart, character, integrity and judgment and how to use all of this wisely. We want students to become productive and useful citizens contributing to society in a meaningful way. Intellect needs to be balanced with innovation and creativity.

Look at any job search website and you will find lists of qualities that employees are looking for. Apart from skills in the profession, employers want people who have reasoning skills and the ability to problem solve. Communication skills, both written and oral, are crucial. Understanding of human behavior is important to be able to work well with others. Having an historical consciousness to have that understanding of how we got where we are today.

As I listened to John talk I realized this makes a good argument to the complaint "Do I have to take these gen eds?" Yes, you do! Those classes help to develop skills apart from those specific to your field of study. They help you to learn about yourself, others and the world around you.

Granite State College offers a great variety of general education electives that I encourage students to take advantage of. Whether students are looking for online classes for adults or evening college classes there are plenty of classes to choose from that will help develop their creativity, intellect, and compassion.

Realtors and temp living arrangments??!!

Saturday, March 19, 2011 by Gail Gifford

Here it is, Saturday morning and I have been up since 6am, waiting for the Realtor to come and tell me what my house/home is worth. If any of you have moved, you know the hassle it can be. The trashing of stuff you have toted from one residence to another that you never even unpacked after four or five years. That is what I am finding to be true in my case. There are boxes that left Michigan twenty-three years ago. I trashed a few when I left Tennessee seven years ago and I have taken some of them to New Hampshire, South Carolina and now wondering if I need to take them back Michigan once again. Why? Why do we save these trinkets and trash? I even move the rocks that lined the street my grandparents cottage was on. I think it is just the sentimental part of us, or at least me. I take them as they were happy memories, the past and somewhere deep inside, I care about them and what they represent. Therefore, I have trashed some and others will get loaded on the truck and taken to Michigan and who knows where else they may travel too.

I went through my school papers and books from Granite State College while in the attic the other day. I got rid of some of the papers I had written but, some I saved. I saved them because I remember the hard work I put into my adult college classes. The research the study groups I was part of and the endless hours I spent figuring out my math problems for business statistics. So, I kept them so some day I will show them to my grand-kids what their Grammy did in life and how they can do it too. Distance learning universities are out there, Granite State College was my salvation since I moved so much. I just kept on going doing on-line classes either from home, the book store or sitting at Panara Bread having a bagel on Sunday Afternoon.

I am rambling and I really need to run the vacuum. I will let you know how it all pans out..Guess I will have to buy a shovel this next winter. YUK!!

Health Care Management

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 by John Cook

A recent note from the US Department of Labor finds that employment for medical and health care managers is expected to rise faster than average. Looking around the landscape of New Hampshire and other states, the outlook for jobs is very promising in this area. But what about preparation for those individuals seeking to work in the field of health care management? Good news now that Granite State College, the institution within the University System of New Hampshire that focuses on adult students, has launched our B.S. degree in Health Care Management.

I'm particularly excited for students enrolling in the Health Care Management degree because of the fantastic faculty that will be teaching in the program. For example, Catherine DiPentima who holds both an M.B.A. and a Nursing degree, offers practical and applied knowledge that is so well suited for adult students.

Spring, Where are you?

Thursday, January 27, 2011 by Gail Gifford

I woke up this morning thinking, where are you spring? It has been a long winter so far. The snow has fallen in South Carolina and even though it only lasted a mere week and a half, it was ugly. Then I think of my friends up at the Manchester NH University and realize that I was lucky, we only got about seven inches of the white stuff, where you all got around two feet. Yuk, but yuk in a good way. The north knows how to clear the stuff from the roads and sidewalks, and work goes on as usual just like any other day. Therefore, students could get to school for their evening college classes after work or on the weekend. What I have learned with this past snow storm is that I need to go buy a shovel. No matter where I live, I may need it. It was kind of sad that only one person in our neighborhood had one and we all borrowed it to shovel our way out. I don't think we are too far away from spring, though. I just looked at my iris in the flower beds and they are starting to grow. The pussy-willow bush is getting buds and the birds are starting to come back to my kitchen window for some birdseed in the feeders. But my wooden flowers seem to have survived the snow. They bring a smile to my face as I look out of my back door.

It is Saturday morning, I am getting ready to go into work, and the weather lady on the TV just said it is going up to 62 degrees today. No, it is not shorts weather yet, but I believe it is just around the corner. Sunshine, flowers, picnics, vacations and, yes, learning are all just around the corner. Learning never stops no matter what the weather is. So, to all of you doing on-line classes with distance learning universities, keep at it. It is so rewarding to have that degree under your belt. Until I get myself back to school to earn my Masters degree, I will enjoy the place I am in my life. This morning, it is a day of work with the realization that spring is not too far away!! Come on Sunshine...shine on South Carolina today!!

On being student-centered

Friday, December 3, 2010 by Todd Leach

Since arriving at Granite State College, I have met with students at our Concord, Claremont, Conway, and Rochester regional campuses and hosted an online chat for our distance learning students. The message has been consistently positive when it comes to the quality of education and services students feel they are receiving from GSC. I have also spent enough time with staff throughout the college to know that there is a very high level of student caring that exists throughout the college. The Granite State College mission of access and opportunity is one staff embrace and students appreciate.

At the same time, colleges and universities must learn to go beyond caring about students and ensure that their practices, systems, and policies are "student-centered." Which means that we anticipate student needs and align our practices, systems and policies in a way that enhances student success and minimizes student frustration.

Over the past several months we have taken steps at Granite State College to better align our practices, systems and policies with student needs and goals. For example, more than half of our students are now enrolled in online courses, so in order to better support our distance learning students we have recently added new online tutoring services. We are also introducing new self-service capabilities that allow students to better plan their programs of study. And we are focusing attention on course scheduling to ensure more rapid tracks to degree obtainment.

This student-centered focus will be core to Granite State College as we engage in a process of continuous improvement moving forward, and find new ways to serve the evolving needs of adult students throughout the state of New Hampshire and the region.

Those Long, Cold Days of Winter

Monday, November 29, 2010 by Erin Todd

If you're wondering what to do with yourself during the long, cold days of winter ... I have an idea ... take a course at Granite State College! Registration for Winter Term is in full swing.

Take a look at some of the courses running at GSC's Claremont NH College:

Modern America & the Movies
Readings in World Literature
American Sign Language I
Managing Conflict
Introduction to Anthropology

And here's a thumbnail sketch of GSC's Lebanon NH College course offerings:

Career Development and Life Planning
Survey of World Architecture
Autobiography as Literature
Comparative Religions
Observational Astronomy

If you'd prefer to take online classes for college, check out these highlights from GSC's online courses this Winter:

International Economics
Shakespeare
Principles of Marketing
Regions of the World: History & Current Issues, East Asia
Introduction to Philosophy
Investment Principles
The Media & It's Messages
Managing Diversity
Issues in Women's Health
Financial Management

At only $1,040 per four-credit course, Granite State College offers the lowest tuition in the University of New Hampshire System, and financial aid is available to eligible degree students - even if taking just one class a term!

Pursuing a Behavioral Science degree

Thursday, November 11, 2010 by Mary Clouter

Hi.

I thought I would write a bit about the degree that I'm pursuing. I'll be receiving my bachelor's in Behavioral Science in June of next year (2011). What got me interested in Behavioral Science was the community service work I had started while at Nashua Community College. Some of the community service was helping at the local soup kitchen or helping homeless vets with creating resumes and checking online jobs boards. I am a volunteer advocate for victims of violence and have also helped with Habitat for Humanity. I get such good feelings from volunteering in these groups, it's amazing.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to focus on psychology, sociology, and social work, but the Behavioral Science degree offered at Granite State College was perfect to sample a bit of each of those areas. What was interesting too was after taking a quick look at other local colleges, Granite State College appeared to be the only one that offered a Behavioral Science degree. So far I've taken Counseling, Human Development, and Victim Rights and Advocacy. Exactly the topics I'm interested in. Next semester I'll be taking Intro. to Behavioral Science Methods, Social Psychology, and The Human Brain. Cool courses! I can't wait. Which reminds me, don't forget to sign up for courses starting Nov. 22!

It's hard to believe that I'll have my bachelor's in Behavioral Science in less than a year. Granite State College is helping me obtain my dream of having a bachelor's degree and maybe even move on to another University System of New Hampshire University's to pursue my Master's. It is soooo exciting!

Baby Buggy's...do you remember?

Thursday, October 21, 2010 by Gail Gifford

I recently got my old Baby Buggy out from the attic and started cleaning it up so I can take it to Norfolk, VA to walk my new grandson, Owen. Those years were just precious for me and some very fond memories all came back to me as I walked the streets of Norfolk in the early morning so Owen's mom and dad could get some sleep. I put miles on those wheels about 30 years ago walking my four children; I never thought in a million years I would be using for my grandchildren. My son was tickled I got it cleaned up and looking good again. So were my daughters, although neither of them have children yet, they were very concerned who was going to GET the Buggy?? I told them the Buggy will stay with Grammy.

I was walking to McDonald's one day with my laptop as they have free WiFi so I could get connected while Owen was sleeping and a Scotch lady was weeding her flowerbed and stopped to look at the baby and the buggy. She right away went inside her front door and brought out her Beautiful English Pram that was her's when her children where young. She was the age my mom would have been, around 83 or 84. What a beautiful buggy she had and leather on the inside with beautiful fringe on the hood. She told me stories about that buggy and how many children had been buggy walked in it. Her daughter used it for her 3 children and now there are great grandchildren coming along to take a ride in it. I feel that my buggy stories and her buggy stories are all part of a cycle that we both plan on passing on to our children.

Buggy walking as a tradition and cycle/norm of life is pretty much what I wanted my children to understand when I went back to Granite State College. I want them to understand and carry on the tradition of getting an adult college degree at some point in their lives. I took most of my classes as online learning classes while I did have a few classes at Manchester NH University. I hope my young adults follow suit and get their degree someday and also that they walk their babies in the Buggy!! Life is so good, Grandchildren are truly God's reward to parents.

Left is the buggy the Scotch lady brought to show me...it was just beautiful. She bought it in England where she used to live. Mine is above, yes that is me with my coffee. My mother bought mine in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Both had some similarities and both had wonderful shocks, those babies didn't feel a bump along the stroll.

Taking My Homework on the Road

Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by Leslie Bowering

If you are thinking of going back to school anytime soon but you are talking yourself out of it because it restricts you from doing other things, then I have a story for you!

My husband –who by the way—loves to celebrate all of our special anniversaries, booked us into an adorable little cottage at Eagle Lake in Northern Maine. Of course, he had to reserve our “usual” cottage in advance. At the time he did so, I was uncertain of how much homework would be assigned in my Linguistics class which I am taking at the University of New Hampshire. I am taking this Linguistics course as a Language Arts requirement for my self-designed program at Granite State College because I had a difficult time understanding the Online version of Linguistics that Granite State College offers.

So, here I am today, sitting in this adorable little cottage in Northern Maine surrounded by my books, laptop, battery-operated mouse, and a printer provided for me by my husband so that I could “get away” with him for our second wedding anniversary.

Nowadays technology makes all things possible when it comes to taking your homework on the road.

Even if you think that the technology is too daunting a task to tackle, Granite State College offers computer courses in varied locations across the state of New Hampshire for the convenience of students who are interested. It is a most excellent way to take a hands-on approach to getting technologically up to speed. For example, since I do not have wi-fi in the cabin, I will save this word document in my sweet little pink flash drive. When I return home to Exeter, New Hampshire on Monday, I will copy this document from my flash drive into my blog. It’s a piece of cake!

The Granite State College Alumni Board Association

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

Today I was voted into the Granite State College Alumni Board Association (“ALA”). President Todd Leach was kind enough to attend today’s board meeting and bring us all up to speed with the direction he is moving the college towards. He shared his observations, initiatives and strategies to continue the growth of our great institution. His focus is clearly to transform GSC into a “student centered” adult education school.

I was most concerned about the possibility of GSC turning into one of the many distance learning universities; offering only online courses leaving those who require the availability of evening college classes, part time classes and weekend college classes without the flexibility and convenience of an affordable bachelor degree throughout New Hampshire. My concerns were quickly addressed. Growth and innovation are certainly at the top of President Leach’s strategy, but reducing or eliminating the availability of live course schedules throughout New Hampshire is not included in his plan.

I am excited and extremely hopeful at where Dr. Leach will lead GSC in the coming months and years. I am grateful to have the opportunity to come along for the ride.

From left to right: Barbara Grant, Kathy Moulis, Dawn Corriveau, Ruth Tappin, Deidre Romeo, President Leach, Carrie Landry, Dee McClave, Steve Cotter

www.granite.edu/alumni-and-friends/alaboard.aspx