President Rey Lays Out Vision, Plan For Barber-Scotia to Rise from the Ashes
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Posted By: S. Moore on October 10, 2023 Barber-Scotia College has had its fair share of challenges since losing its accreditation in 2004. The 156-year-old historically Black college saw its student population plummet and its buildings fall into disrepair. The college also owes about $500,000 in debt. But new president Chris Rey, in a speech to alumni and other BSC supporters Thursday evening at Kittie Sanson Chapel ahead of homecoming weekend, was optimistic and excited about the college’s future and confident it would eventually secure full accreditation. “I entered into this role absolutely excited about the future of this institution,” Rey told the crowd. “We all know what the Promised Land is, that this institution is going to be an accredited institution that will be filled with students….That’s the future of this institution and it can happen.” In a country that once did the unthinkable and sent men to the moon, “surely we can save a college,” he said, to much applause. Momentum has already slowly started to gather. He recently launched the Barber-Scotia RISING (Rebuilding – Instruction – Strategy – Infrastructure – Network –Governance) campaign, with the intent on expanding the donor base and raising $1,000,000 by the end of his first year next summer. The college is encouraging alumni, friends of the college and anyone within the community to donate at least $156 in support of the school, in celebration of its years as an institution of higher learning. BSC has currently raised more than $50,000. Contractors have been examining the buildings and offering specific estimates on various improvements. Once all the facilities are assessed, Rey will have a better idea regarding how funding much will be required to restore the buildings. Rey went on to lay out in great detail how he would enact the college’s 2022-2027 strategic plan, which outlines Barber-Scotia’s pursuit for accreditation along with other key academic and financial goals, such as expanding the college’s academic programs and increasing enrollment. Rey suspended student enrollment this fall in order to focus on improving the campus. Classes will resume in January, with at least 20 to 25 students enrolled online. He will then target commuters and finally will work to address students living on campus. Rey emphasized the core values that have guided BSC over the years and will continue to do so going forward: Integrity, Spirituality, Critical Thinking, Inclusion and Innovation. Rey said he is aware of the college’s struggles over the years but is looking to the future and focused on how to improve the college. “I really believe that there is a level of responsibility that everyone has to take for the state in which we’re in now,” he said. “There are some things we did right and some things we didn’t do right.” “The past is the past,” he added. “And all we have right now is this moment and now it’s time for us to look forward and be able to deal with the challenges and issues that we have so that we can reach the opportunities that are necessary.” The process to rebuild and rehabilitate BSC will not be easy, but Rey and the others at the chapel continually referenced one the college’s founding beliefs: “In the Beginning … Faith.” Expanding the academic programs Rey announced that the college will be expanding the number of academic programs it offers to students next year. Four new schools will be added: Divinity and Religious Studies; Business and Government; Health, Science and Technology; and Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Going forward, Rey wants to see BSC become a hub for innovation and new technology. Much of this stems from his military background, where he was a Computer Information Technology Analyst during his time with the U.S. Army and also worked with a special team to stand up the first cyber brigade headquarters for the National Guard. “I now lead an institution where I have to make sure we’re focusing on the technology of the day,” he said. He wants to make sure BSC offers courses that address topics including artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Students will be able to receive concentrations in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology within the School of Health, Science and Technology. BSC is in the process of adding 11 accredited certification programs, several of which address emerging technologies. These include Artificial Intelligence Essentials Certification Course, Machine Learning: Understanding Machine Learning in a Modern World, Investing in Stocks for Beginners and Agile Coaching Basics: How to Start Your Career as an Agile Coach. BSC will become the first HBCU in the country to offer certification programs that will be run completely by artificial intelligence instructors. The new academic programs and certifications were approved by the Board of Trustees in late September. Rey also stressed the importance of the college offering academic programs that “feed the landscape” of the area, even if that involves operating in spaces “that we’ve not been in before.” “You can’t be two miles down the road from Eli Lilly and not have a biomedical degree coming through your institution,” he said. “That’s critical.” Rey is also hopeful about adding vocational courses, such as welding and electrical classes. “I believe that we have to create an institution that can train anyone in any place in their life,” Rey said. “That’s how you win the future for your community.” Rey acknowledged that despite the robust alumni network, the college has missed out on the ability in recent years to educate huge swaths of individuals, especially Millennials and those belonging to Generation Z. By offering interesting and relevant new courses and programs, Rey is confident the college can attract many of these younger students. An influx of new academic programs will require additional instructors on campus, which is something Rey is working to address. He told the crowd that the college has recently hired 17 new adjunct professors. BSC has hired several staff members to serve in leadership roles since Rey became president, including a new chief financial officer, an executive vice president and provost and a vice president for recruitment and first year experience. Focused on accreditation As he recruits new faculty and expand the programs that will be offered, Rey made it clear that his main goal is working to get the college fully accredited. “I will tell you that everything that I do as president of this institution is focused on how do we position ourselves to be accredited,” he said. He recently hired Dr. Kellie Dixon as the vice president for institutional effectiveness. She will be leading the charge towards making sure the college secures its accreditation. “Kellie is going to lead us toward what I believe is the Promised Land, which is us being accredited,” Rey said. In order to secure accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), the accrediting body, Rey told the audience that the college must meet 17 accreditation standards, including federal requirements such as ensuring “the institution’s award of credit hours and length must meet national norms and federal requirements.” Rey is hopeful that if everything goes right, the college should be on track to submit its application for accreditation in January. The full process, which includes detailed site visits and comprehensive reviews of the school’s programs, should take between 15 to 18 months, Rey said. Although the journey to accreditation will not necessarily be easy, it is definitely possible. One of the people in attendance highlighted Simmons College of Kentucky, a private historically Black college which also struggled for many decades before receiving full accreditation in 2014. Once BSC, like Simmons College, makes it to the proverbial “Promised Land,” it will be a “game-changer for the institution,” Rey said. “And then it’s off to the races after that.” ‘An option for a lot of students’ Similarly to what Rey told the Independent Tribune in a recent interview, he told the audience that in five years, the college will have more than 5,000 students online, about 1,000 commuters and between 700 to 800 residents living on campus. In order to attend BSC, the plan is to continue providing a low-cost, affordable tuition of about $3,000 per year or $1,500 for each semester. Rey has been meeting with key stakeholders, alumni and community members to raise as much money as possible for the college. His goal is to make sure there will be enough scholarship money available so that the first 100 students next year can attend BSC without paying any tuition; so far, there is enough money for 30 students. Rey has talked with the president of the United Negro College Fund and expressed cautious optimism that the college could receive funding at some point from the organization. He is excited about the college’s location in a fast-growing part of the state. With several community colleges in close proximity to BSC, Rey said there are ample opportunities to attract and recruit prospective students. “We have a tremendous opportunity to be an option for a lot of students,” Rey said. SOURCE Barber-Scotia College News If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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