Dean's Report: Summer students, Aggie resources

June 14, 2017

Dean's Column by Ron Rosati, Ph.D.

Campus instructors greeted our summer session students on Monday as eight-week courses in veterinary technology, general education and agricultural sciences resumed here at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Many of the students on campus this time of year are veterinary technology students who take specialized courses during the summer session. Some are completing requirements to graduate in December while others plan to graduate in May, 2018 following more campus classes and a required 8-week internship.

We also have students who are picking up a few hours of college credit over the summer that they can apply to their programs of study at NCTA, or transfer to their degree programs at other institutions. These summer term programs conclude on August 4.  Welcome back to NCTA, Summer Session Aggies!

New Student Registration, June 19

Next Monday the campus will be quite busy again as we host the second installment of New Student Registration.  A third session will be July 17. On this day, incoming students and parents begin preparation for the fall semester which begins August 21. Students register for classes and they attend sessions on a variety of topics designed to help them be successful students. Students will hear from faculty on how to do their best in class. They learn how to order textbooks, and how to be prepared for living in the campus residence halls.  Many students get a jump on fall by buying textbooks, a parking pass, college logo clothing and required laboratory supplies.

We find that students and their families are more comfortable with the transition to college once they fully explore the campus classrooms and residence halls, have individual conversations with our service-oriented staff and faculty, and have an opportunity to learn about the campus and community.

So if you see some unfamiliar faces around Curtis on Sunday and Monday, please extend your community pride and hospitality to make everyone feel welcome!

Low cost, high quality education

NCTA is blessed with excellent academics, outstanding personnel, strong campus services and a friendly culture. The college is recognized nationally for the quality of its academic programs and the success of its graduates.

At its June meeting, the University of Nebraska approved system-wide increases for tuition at all campuses. We will see a slight increase at NCTA from $121 per credit hour to $127.50 per credit hour.

For example, to a student taking 16 credit hours a semester that would be an additional $104 - still a reasonable rate for a college education at an award-winning institution.  We appreciate the hard work that students and families put into a college education. Our commitment at NCTA is to keep costs as low as possible so that students are not prevented from entering college due to prohibitively high tuition. Multiple assessments indicate the college is achieving that goal. NCTA students invest their education funds carefully at a college that graduates skilled, well-prepared individuals contributing to the Nebraska agricultural workforce.

For those seeking information about New Student Registration Days on June 19 or July 17, or for details on fall courses, call Student Services or Admissions at 1-800-3CURTIS, or find details at ncta.unl.edu.

Upcoming events:

June 14 – Clover Kids and Jr. 4-H Horticulture Camp, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Greenhouse

June 19 – NCTA New Student Registration Day, Tina Smith, Admissions

June 19-20 – Holdrege High/ESU #11 crop production session, Dr. Ramsdale, Agronomy

June 19-23 – NRCS Agency training program at campus

June 24 – UNSTA/NCTA Aggie Alumni Association Annual Meeting and Banquet, Broken Bow

June 28 – Frontier County 4-H Photography judging, NCTA Education Center.

NCTA Mission:

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, food and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, diplomas and other credentials.