New Name For Lakes Region CC
Community College Rolling Towards Expanded Mission

            Concord, N.H. – The community colleges of New Hampshire are running full steam ahead in their drive to meet the growing demand for a two-year education in the state.
Six months after the Legislature approved, and Gov. Lynch signed, a measure to allow the system to govern itself through a board of trustees, college and system leaders have continued to work vigorously to implement the plan and to promote the broadened scope of the state’s two-year colleges.
Part of that process includes a name change for most of the colleges – a course that included months of public input before being approved by Gov. Lynch and the Executive Council on Jan. 30. The colleges will unveil their new look during a joint event later this spring.
“Our community colleges play a critical role in ensuring New Hampshire has the educated workforce it needs to compete in this changing global economy. I look forward to continuing to work with the community college system and its board of trustees to help keep higher education affordable and accessible for more of our citizens,” Gov. Lynch said.
The community college in Laconia will become Lakes Region Community College, a name that reflects the geography of a service area that extends through parts of Merrimack, Belknap, Carroll, Coos and Grafton counties, according to college president Mark Edelstein. 
“I am very pleased to announce that this morning the Governor and Council unanimously approved the new names proposed for the seven colleges,” said Lakes Region Community College President, Dr. Mark Edelstein.  “The name change is important, I believe because our new name more accurately reflects what we have become – a regional, comprehensive community college – and because it demonstrates how we are evolving to meet the changing needs of our community.”    
In addition to its new name, Lakes Region community college is planning a number of enhancements to meet the educational needs in the region:

• Multi-million dollar construction is soon to begin on the college’s original building that will include enhancements to a multitude of areas.
• The college continues to develop and expand new programs such as the Energy Services and Technology program, the only one of its kind in New England as well as Media and Culinary Arts.
• Courses will be offered again this year in Franklin to meet local demand there.
• Running Start enrollments continuing to increase, having quadrupled in the past five years.

 
These improvements come as the community colleges report that student demographics and demands have changed over the years in tandem with the state’s economy. Once geared primarily toward vocational programs, the colleges have grown to include serving students pursuing professional programs in fields that include allied health, business, and education, as well as general studies programs as part of a path to a four-year degree.  The vocational fields themselves have evolved into higher-tech programs requiring broader competencies in math, technology, business and communications. 
“The community colleges have a much broader mission than just a generation ago,” said Dr. Richard Gustafson, chancellor. “For many students, we’ve become an ideal solution for those looking to embark on their educational path at a college that offers affordable tuition, small class size, world-class teaching, and the ability to enter a profession or transfer to a four-year institution.”

The new names for the community colleges approved today by the Governor & Council: