Member Spotlight – Frederick Community College

Frederick Community College, Frederick, Maryland | frederick.edu | Established 1957 | Kelly Trigger, NISOD Liaison

Member Spotlight Question and Answer 

When did Frederick Community College become a NISOD Member?
Frederick Community College became a NISOD member in 1996.

Why is Frederick Community College a NISOD Member?
The professional development resources and opportunities offered by NISOD provide access to a network of ever-evolving best practices in contemporary community college teaching and learning.

Which NISOD benefits does Frederick Community College use the most and how?
Frederick Community College recognizes exemplary faculty and staff achievement through the NISOD Excellence Awards, presents and participates in the annual conference in Austin, Texas, and uses the virtual resources and publications to support the evolution of teaching and learning at the college. 

Interesting News Happening at Frederick Community College

Parents Lead Program
In 2018, Frederick Community College started the Parents Lead program, which provides scholarship funding and academic support to help parents earn a degree. Created for financially-eligible parents of young children, the program provides specialized curriculum, advising services, and funding to offset the costs of childcare while parents attend evening classes. The cohort-based program includes a combination of online and on-campus evening classes and can be completed in as few as five semesters. In the first year and half of Parents Lead, we have been inspired by the passion and motivation to succeed that we’ve seen from our students. 

Dual Enrollment
Our Dual Enrollment program has grown significantly over the last few years and is continuing to offer more and more opportunities for college credit at FCC to high school students. Last year, 1,307 Frederick County Public Schools students enrolled in high school-based dual enrollment courses. Additionally, 43.1 percent of all 2019 FCPS graduates took one or more dual enrollment course. We are currently working with FCPS to pilot Career Pathways, which would allow students to take more FCC courses based on their interests and receive certification or industry credentials in that area.

Highest Graduation/Transfer Rate in the State
The efforts Frederick Community College has made to improve student completion has paid off and student success programs have been effective. In 2018, FCC had the highest four-year graduation/transfer rate out of all 16 community colleges in Maryland.

Frederick Reads Partnership
Frederick Community College is a founding community partner of Frederick Reads. Every year since 2013, the program brings acclaimed authors to Frederick County, Maryland, as a means of fostering community conversations, connections, and a love of reading. Past speakers include Bill Bryson, José Andrés, Ann Patchett, and Erik Larson.

Every month, NISOD turns the spotlight on the effective ways member colleges use NISOD benefits. These member colleges exemplify NISOD’s mission of improving teaching, learning, and leadership, with the ultimate goal being to increase student success.