WISCONSIN RAPIDS - During the Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) Board of Directors meeting held Monday evening, the Board heard a report about technical college students who transfer credits from other technical colleges, UW System institutions and other postsecondary institutions. According to Connie Willfahrt, Vice President of Student Affairs & Information Technology, during the 2005-06 academic year, 8,402 technical college students successfully transferred credits earned at other postsecondary institutions to apply towards completion of a technical college degree or diploma program. She also said that the average number of credits transferred from the UW System by Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) students has increased from 10.2 to 12.6. "In addition, 91% of the credits transferred to the WTCS from the UW System were in general education," said Willfahrt. She said the number of UW credits transferred into MSTC increased 20% last year. "Interestingly, the number of WTCS credits transferred into MSTC also increased 20% last year. The top three technical colleges where students transferred credits to MSTC were Fox Valley, Northeast and Northcentral technical colleges." During her report, Willfahrt said the highest number of UW credits transferred into MSTC come from UW-Stevens Point and UW-Marshfield/Wood County. She added that the number of WTCS students transferring to the UW System has steadily increased over the past four years.

In other news, the Board witnessed a "Live Chat" demonstration from Stacy Riley, Enrollment Advisor and Tarah Welch, Office Assistant. Riley said the enrollment team continually develops strategies to meet the changing needs of prospective students. She referenced a survey of 1,000 college-bound high school juniors which indicated that 65% use instant messaging and 71% said they would consider sending an instant message to a college using its website. "Today's students want to make one-to-one connections with college staff so we determined that "Live Chat" was an important option to employ at MSTC." She said the college's "Live Chat" feature on its website went live November 28 and allows enrollment staff to conduct one-on-one instant chat sessions with prospective students. "This provides MSTC with a unique advantage to individuals visiting our website as it offers real time instant messaging and allows their questions to be answered immediately" said Riley. "As consumers, prospective students don't want to wait for answers and with today's technology, they shouldn't have to. 'Live Chat' is just one more way MSTC will be able to provide instant information to prospective students," added Riley.

The next Mid-State Technical College Board of Directors meeting will be held Monday, January 21 at the Wisconsin Rapids campus. Committee meetings are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., with the regular board meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. To learn more about MSTC programs and services, please call 888.575.6782 or visit the college's website at mstc.edu.