JANESVILLE - Blackhawk Technical College is laying off two counseling positions this summer, replacing them with "retention and transition" advisors.
According to Gary Kohn, marketing and communication manager for BTC, the college, in a budgetary decision because of declining enrollment, made some school-wide changes in March, which include lay-offs. Among the layoffs are two counseling positions in student support services. The new budget cycle begins July 1.
One counselor was based in Monroe, and one in Janesville, but both often traveled to serve at the college's different facilities, Kohn said.
In order for the college to maintain the same level of support services on all its campuses, Kohn said, two new retention and transition positions will be filled by fall. Program advisors will still be available this summer, he added.
The new retention and transition advisors "will have some of the same responsibilities, but not exactly the same," as the counselors, he said.
Counselors helped in academic support and tutorial availability, and also advised or directed students toward help with other challenges and concerns in life, such as child care or behavioral issues. An added element of their workload was to provide support or advice in career, professional or financial aspects of their schooling.
The new advisors will be "capable of advising on academics," and also can give advice on the various levels of support available, if needed, in personal areas. As the position's name implies, the advisor will help to prevent drop-outs or failing a class. The advisor will also help such students as veterans, the unemployed, stay-at-home parents, career changers, or high school graduates make their transitions in life, as they move into and through their college programs.
Recruitment specialists and program advisors will remain in the school's student support services.
The hiring of new retention and transition advisors had "nothing to do with the budget," Kohn said.
Monroe BTC students wanting more information or an appointment with an advisor should contact the Monroe campus, he said.
According to Gary Kohn, marketing and communication manager for BTC, the college, in a budgetary decision because of declining enrollment, made some school-wide changes in March, which include lay-offs. Among the layoffs are two counseling positions in student support services. The new budget cycle begins July 1.
One counselor was based in Monroe, and one in Janesville, but both often traveled to serve at the college's different facilities, Kohn said.
In order for the college to maintain the same level of support services on all its campuses, Kohn said, two new retention and transition positions will be filled by fall. Program advisors will still be available this summer, he added.
The new retention and transition advisors "will have some of the same responsibilities, but not exactly the same," as the counselors, he said.
Counselors helped in academic support and tutorial availability, and also advised or directed students toward help with other challenges and concerns in life, such as child care or behavioral issues. An added element of their workload was to provide support or advice in career, professional or financial aspects of their schooling.
The new advisors will be "capable of advising on academics," and also can give advice on the various levels of support available, if needed, in personal areas. As the position's name implies, the advisor will help to prevent drop-outs or failing a class. The advisor will also help such students as veterans, the unemployed, stay-at-home parents, career changers, or high school graduates make their transitions in life, as they move into and through their college programs.
Recruitment specialists and program advisors will remain in the school's student support services.
The hiring of new retention and transition advisors had "nothing to do with the budget," Kohn said.
Monroe BTC students wanting more information or an appointment with an advisor should contact the Monroe campus, he said.