Maple Woods Community College:
Veterinary Technology Program

The Veterinary Technology Program at Maple Woods Community College leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree and is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. It provides students with the practical knowledge and skills necessary for working in the veterinary medical community assisting veterinarians with technical skills and office procedures.

For more information, visit the Maple Woods web site: www.mcckc.edu/maplewoods

Johnson County Community College:
Biotechnology Program

With the strength of a major university, the Johnson County Community College has a strong science curriculum that is used to train students in health occupations. The college offers three programs in biotechnology, a one-year certificate program, a two-year associate of applied science program, and a two-year associate of science program. The certificate program is designed for those who want to get into the workforce quickly and may already have a degree. The A.A.S. degree is for students that want additional basic chemistry and biology courses, but are not seeking a bachelor’s degree. Students who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree are best suited for the A.S. degree.  Johnson County Community College and the Metropolitan Community College District (MCCD) have developed cooperative agreements that allow Missouri residents to enroll in the biotechnology program at JCCC and pay Missouri resident tuition rates.  The Bachelor of Science in molecular biosciences is designed for individuals who are seeking a degree in preparation for graduate study, professions in the clinical sciences or for those who are already working in the life sciences.

Johnson County Community College:
$1.5 Million for Biotech Lab

Johnson County Community College will receive a $1.5 million grant to equip a state-of-the-art biotechnology lab. The lab will be part of the Regnier Center for Technology and business now under construction at the college in Overland Park, Kansas. Jerry Baird, executive vice president for administrative services, said the building should be ready for classes in the fall of 2007. The college expects to train 300 to 500 bioscience employees yearly.

For more information, visit the JCCC web site: www.jccc.net

University of Kansas:
Continuing Education Bioscience Program

The KU Continuing Education Bioscience program was initiated with the acquisition of a National Science Foundation Partnerships For Innovation grant of $600,000 for a three-year period, commencing October 1, 2004. Both public and in-house courses are being developed and delivered in a variety of media, and address the needs of a range of professionals in the bioscience and pharmaceutical science industries to include scientists, technicians, safety officers and laboratory supervisors. Industry professionals and KU faculty with applied and practical experience in the life sciences will instruct the courses. The NSF grant provides seed funding, with eventual self-sustainability by 2007.

• Bioscience Short Courses
• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
• Advanced High Performance Liquid Chromatography
• Advanced Mammalian Cell
• Aseptic Technique and Sterilization
• Basic Laboratory Methods/Techniques for Biotechnology
• Categorical Data and Survival Analysis
• EPA Compliance
• FDA Compliance
• Gas Chromatography
• Handling Biohazards and OSHA regulations
• Hazardous Materials
• Intro to Biostatistics
• Intro to Epidemiology
• Laboratory Safety for Biotechnology
• Mammalian Cell Culture
• Mass Spectrometry
• OSHA Compliance
• Process Analytical Technology
• Scientific Writing
• Small Animal Handling 
• Statistical Computing
• Writing Qualification Protocols, System Descriptions and Technical Procedures

For more information, visit the KU web site:  www.ku.edu

Kansas State College of Business Administration:
Graduate Certificate for Animal Health Industry

Kansas State University is offering a new 16-credit-hour online graduate certificate in the Management of Animal Health Related Organizations beginning in Fall 2009.  The graduate certificate program was developed by K-State's College of Business Administration through a partnership with the Beef Cattle Institute and Division of Continuing Education.  Students in this program learn to use applied skills and attain an understanding of basic functional areas of business organizations in the context of the animal health industry.  All course work can be completed online and accepted as credit toward K-State's Master of Business Administration program or graduate certificate in business administration. 

For more information, visit the K-State Division of Continuing Education web site: www.kce.k-state.edu/business/animal-health

Agriculture Future of America :

Personal and professional development training preparing college students for careers in the animal health field.

AFA's mission is to create partnerships that identify, encourage and support outstanding college men and women preparing for careers in the agriculture and food industry.  As a value-added partner in the human capital development process, AFA provides personal and professional development training programs that prepare collegiate students for careers in the animal health field.   Participants in the AFA development program share three characteristics -- they are talented, passionate and committed to a career in agriculture and the animal health field.

The annual AFA Leaders Conference, held the first week of November in Kansas City, is a three-track curriculum designed to offer participants three different personal and professional development opportunities matched to their years in college.

Track 1 is designed for freshmen and focuses on assessment and the development of fundamental skills crucial for success in college and career.  Delegates receive training in resume development, time management, goal setting and personal skill development while assessing the opportunities available to them within their chosen career path.

Track 2 is designed for sophomore/juniors and focuses on communication skills and preparing for employment.  Dressing for success, first impressions, critical thinking, team leadership roles and personal ethics are addressed as a part of this program.

Track 3 program prepares junior/seniors to live and work in a global market.  Sessions include managing personal change, stress management and preparing for employment.  Delegates participate in discussions focused on rural policy, personal financial management and international agriculture business.  Extensive executive mentoring is an integral part of this tract.

AFA partners with Franklin Covey to develop curriculum for students in pursuit of their personal development.  At each level of the program, students further enhance skill sets and competencies through the engagement in Franklin Covey's 7 Habits and Leadership curriculum.

A critical component of the AFA program is the student internship experience.  This is facilitated by AFA through our Opportunity Fair, hosted during Leaders Conference, which provides a unique environment for organization representatives to communicate, advocate and mentor AFA students about opportunities available within the industry.

For additional information on AFA and its workforce development programs, please visit www.agfuture.org or 816.472.4232.