May 18, 2018 at 5:07 p.m.
Nicolet My Way program offers students college, their way
Nicolet My Way program offers students college, their way
By Abigail Bostwick-
The Nicolet My Way format kicked off in January in the welding program. With highly-flexible academics, students can earn a college degree while still maintaining job and family responsibilities.
"This is an exciting initiative," noted Terry Rutlin, Nicolet communications. "It is based on learning, not on time."
Popularity of online classes has surged at Nicolet in recent years. My Way allows students to more easily fit college into their hectic lifestyles, added Erika Warning, director of enrollment. Currently, nearly one-third of all credits taken at Nicolet are in online classes.
"Nicolet My Way is an opportunity for students to complete coursework when it works for them," Warning explained. "They can set their own schedule and work quickly through what they know and spend more time on that which challenges them or more time to master."
My Way is set outside the traditional semester structure, offering numerous start dates during the year, most at the first of each month, Warning said. Students enrolled progress through their chosen program at their own pace.
"Students are supported with a success coach as well as Nicolet faculty," Warning observed. "There are (also) flexible one-on-one labs available with instructors at the college campus."
When outside Nicolet, students can work online to complete course requirements. If a day or week or more is needed off, My Way easily permits that, Warning said.
Approximately 10 students are currently enrolled in the welding My Way curriculum, with others signing up as the months have gone by since implementation, Warning said.
Information Technology (IT) will soon be available - hopefully this fall - explained Scott Biscobing, IT instructor.
"(My Way) is a good fit for IT," Biscobing said. "IT businesses are down, they don't have people for the jobs across the state."
Skills required for a degree via My Way are the same as traditional enrollment, Biscobing said.
"It can all be done at home, or at campus," he noted. "It can be as traditional as you want it to be, or not."
My Way IT students will be held at a slightly higher-grade standard than the typical coursework.
"Students love the format, having more time to work ahead and keep going or keep working on something," he added. "This offers students the opportunity to go through as quickly as they want. They can go as quickly as they like, or as slow as they need."
Area IT employers have already expressed excitement at the program implementation as IT jobs are going unfilled and are in high demand for hire, Warning said.
Registration is open for summer classes and opened April 15 for fall.
The college's business management associate's degree is now available entirely online. The accounting associate's degree will also go wholly online this fall.
For more information, call 715-356-4493 or visit http://www.nicoletcollege.edu/. Assistance with enrollment and financial aid with career counselors is available.
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