DAWSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

As an integral part of its mission, Dawson Community College responds directly to the needs of area businesses and industries to provide an educated and trained labor force through its degree and certificate programs, to provide professional renewal opportunities for those currently employed, as well as retraining activities for those desiring to improve their career opportunities. The following is a list of four major educational disciplines at the college that exemplify the dedication of the institution to meet the needs of area businesses and industries:

  • Law Enforcement programming (Peace Officer, Corrections, Private Security and transfer degree options):  Through collaborations with the Montana Law Enforcement Academy, Dawson County Corrections Facility, and many eastern Montana law enforcement agencies, DCC has provided high quality, professional training for both job entry-level positions as well as professional renewal opportunities in these fields.
  • Computer training (Microsoft and Cisco certification coursework): Educational opportunities have included special workshops on word processing, database, spreadsheet, HTML, desktop publishing, network management, and a variety of special software applications for local businesses, human services, industries and the general public. Representatives of the Montana Department of Transportation, Glendive Medical Center, Burlington-Northern Railroad, Dawson County Public Welfare Department, local school districts, and many others have taken advantage of these annual training sessions.
  • Early Childhood Education: Largely as a result of the ever-increasing need for certified early childhood education providers in small, rural Montana communities, DCC has expanded its ECE offerings to the residents of the eastern Montana highline in addition to those living near the main campus.
  • Farm/Ranch Business Management: In only its second year of operation, the demand for the program is growing at a rate higher than initially expected. Serving the financial management needs of the farming/ranching community, this program teaches computerized accounting skills in order to help enrollees more capably manage their finances, identify new agricultural markets (regionally, nationally, and internationally) and make appropriate changes to their production unit to meet the needs of these changing markets.

 Other educational disciplines have an equally impressive track record of service, but the examples previously described clarify the dedication of DCC to helping meet the needs of its many communities and constituencies.