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President's Office > Community Breakfasts > Senior Citizens Revised 6/1/05

Senior Citizens Group

Senior Citizens Community Breakfast Comments, May 12, 2005

What role could NMC play in helping you address these trends?

Economy
  • Supporting of local business endeavors - food, wine, coffee.
  • Use local, sustainable products.
  • Growing, but not too much; consider expansion.
  • Offer more benefits (incentives) to those who want to change careers into the helping professions for more fulfillment in life.
  • Financial aid for retired; investigate increasing scholarships/affordable college.
  • On tourism - helping to promote things that the college can offer; directions to seniors.
  • Supplying qualified people to keep jobs from shifting overseas.
  • Investigate becoming a university.

Technology
  • Should be on cutting age of the new technologies.
  • NMC needs to continue its technology education so that this area stays current with learning around the US.

Demographic
  • Aging of population – geriatric nursing specialty.
Curriculum
  • A strong emphasis on the liberal arts should continue.
  • Offer programs to keep young people in area.
  • Expand Life Academy with more opportunities for community; continue life learning and campus days.
  • Mentoring - intergenerational programming; classes on how to help seniors help other seniors.
  • Provide new concepts; ex., Nordic Walking skis.
  • More emphasis on healthy living.
  • Teach more about saving for retirement.
  • Require students to reach out and help someone in the community while a student; offer credit.
  • Teach citizenship to students.
  • Continue to provide required education, training, innovation to meet global competition and local needs.
  • Educating students in occupations affecting seniors needs-geriatric nursing, hospice care, etc.
  • Continue to identify educational niches (Maritime/Culinary)
  • Offer certified nurse aide program
  • Offer courses in management (do this already?)
  • Offer classes on site-Honor and nursing homes so people don't have to deal with traffic.
  • Death & dying classes

General
  • More publicity of the presence and mission of NMC; the college is an opportunity for many to attend college.
  • Keep us from losing good talented young people to downstate.
  • Maintain high expectations of NMC students.
  • Greater awareness within college and community of existence of Life Academy and Extended Educational Services.
  • Better networking with BATA for senior transportation.

Convener Role
  • Outreach programs to outlying counties.
  • Network with local businesses.
  • Greater collaboration with Interlochen, Munson.
  • A leader in attracting young people to come to or stay in T.C.
  • Teach the young that they must contribute back to the community by giving time to local politics & state; teach them how to run a campaign, Roberts Rules, etc.
  • Expand community partnerships: Senior Center, Downtown businesses, public schools.
  • Provide an academic crucible to study these trends and be a resource to politicians for their planning activities.
  • Consider partnership with "Elder Hostel."
  • Support local coffee business at Lobdell's as example of greater networking.
  • Keep charm with small businesses and restaurants.
  • Life Academy classes taught to younger-mentor intergenerational.
  • Partner with profit or non-profit on estate planning informational forums.

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