Located on the Chesapeake College Wye Mills Campus

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will provide access to higher education in the underserved area of the Upper Eastern Shore of Maryland through a comprehensive delivery of baccalaureate and graduate degree programs that meet the educational needs of area citizens and the economic development needs of the region. The Center is committed to creating an environment that provides affordable, quality, educational experiences, support services, a focus on student achievement, choice in instructional delivery, and innovative use of instructional technology to meet the needs of diverse learners.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center, through the partnership of Chesapeake College, Salisbury University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and other collegiate institutions, will excel as a 21st century learning community committed to increasing baccalaureate and graduate degree programs that support the educational and economic development needs of the region.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center (ESHEC) is located on the campus of Chesapeake College, in the heart of the Upper Eastern Shore Region which serves Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot Counties. The campus is located off of US Route 50 and Maryland Route 213. The purpose of the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center is to improve access to higher education in underserved areas of the Upper Eastern Shore, as identified in the 1998 Maryland State Plan for Postsecondary Education.

With convenient access to all five Upper Eastern Shore counties, the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center provides both baccalaureate and graduate degree programs and services comparable in quality to those available in other areas of the state of Maryland. The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center was developed through a partnership among Chesapeake College, Salisbury University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The Mission of the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center is aligned with those of the partnering institutions. In partnership with educational institutions on the Eastern Shore, local and state government, business and non-profit organizations, the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will play a key role in educational and economic development of the region. By supporting and providing on-going, high quality opportunities for learning, the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center enhances both the employment opportunities and overall quality of life for citizens of Maryland's Eastern Shore.

The Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center reports to the Chesapeake College Vice President of Academic Affairs and Economic Development and ultimately to the President and Board of Trustees for Chesapeake College. However, a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from each of the partners, meets at least 2 times each year to evaluate current programs, discuss the proposed budget for the ESHEC, and address concerns or issues that may arise. They also communicate via email and phone throughout the year, as needed.

Current partner institutions and include the founding partners: Chesapeake College, Salisbury University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). The affiliate partners include: University Maryland University College (UMUC), Stevenson University, and Gratz College. The ESHEC Executive Director partners with Chesapeake College when working with its university partners, in order to develop 2+2 articulation agreements between the two institutions. The goal is to provide a seamless transition for students with Associate Degrees to the four year institutions. The following degrees or programs are currently in place at the Center:

• Salisbury University
• Bachelor's in Elementary Education
• Bachelor's in Social Work
• Master's in Educational Leadership
• Master's in Social Work
• Master's in Business Administration
• UMES
• Courses in Career & Technology Education that support teacher certification
• UMUC
• Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor's in Business Administration
• Gratz College
• Master's in Education / Instruction

Stevenson University is currently working on a proposal to MHEC to offer their RN to Bachelor's of Science in Nursing at the Center, beginning Fall 2012.

Other bachelor's degrees that are being considered include: Environmental Management, Early Child Development / Child Care, Informational Technology, Math, Humanities, English, and Communications. At the Master's level degrees being considered include: GIS Management, Math Education, Nursing, Engineering, and IT Networking. The Center also needs to develop a partnership to provide a Doctoral Program on site in Organizational Leadership that will meet the needs of the Upper Shore Community. Although discussions have occurred with UMES, Morgan University, and Wilmington University, none are able to bring a program that is suitable at this time.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will reach its full potential by working towards the following performance outcomes: Access, Economic Development, Quality, Affordability, and Diversity. The ESHEC currently works collaboratively with all five local school systems in providing two Master's degrees in Education on site and by also offering courses that meet K- 12 certification requirements for area residents with a bachelor's or master's degree who wish to enter the teaching field. The ESHEC also collaborates with all of the county Economic Development offices, local Chambers of Commerce, the Upper Shore Work Force Investment Board and the Upper Shore Manufacturing and Business Council. In addition, the ESHEC has representation on the Chesapeake College Vice President for Academic Affairs and Economic Development staff, the Chesapeake College Safety Committee, and other committees as requested.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will be accessible to people who live and work on the Upper Eastern Shore by:

• Providing access to a wide range of postsecondary programs and services comparable to those available in other areas in the state of Maryland;
• Creating opportunities for students, citizens, and businesses to access courses and programs to meet local demand for baccalaureate, graduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as demand for special credentialing or certifications; and
• Using technology to effectively broaden access and meet the needs of diverse students.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will support the economic development initiatives on the Upper Eastern Shore by:

• Ensuring availability of credit programs that support the economic development and expansion of the Upper Eastern Shore; and
• Providing credit courses and degree programs in areas of recognized regional shortages of prepared workers, especially in the fields of teaching, business, social work, and nursing.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will ensure quality degree programs by:

• Building on the strengths of each college and university participating at the Higher Education Center;
• Coordinating the delivery of high quality academic programs and instruction; and
• Providing offices space for partner institutions in order to conduct admissions, advising, financial aid;
• Coordinating with Chesapeake College to provide access to their Library Resource Center, bookstore, and food service.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will be accountable by:

• Working cooperatively with the partners to minimize the on-going operational costs of the Higher Education Center by minimizing duplication of services, employing existing resources, and sharing human resources;
• Engaging in entrepreneurial revenue producing activities as appropriate to the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center's approved Mission;
• Collaborating with the partners in the assessment of programs offered at the Higher Education Center; and,
• Using fiscal resources effectively and appropriately to support the safety and education of the students.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will promote diversity by:

• Aggressively recruiting and supporting students from the Upper Shore who have been traditionally under-represented in higher education;
• Responding to the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students;
• Being sensitive to affordability issues of all students; and,
• Providing information in a variety of formats to residents and workers on the Upper Shore.

The Eastern Shore Higher Education Center will:

1. Provide a learner-centered environment that promotes the attainment of postsecondary education degrees and / or business and industry certification by,
• Developing a comprehensive schedule of course and program offerings that meet the needs of the traditional and non-traditional student.
• Encouraging and supporting partnering institutions in offering a wide variety of programs and courses that meet the needs of students in the Upper Eastern Shore.
• Supporting qualified instructors to ensure best instructional practices and current educational trends.
• Collaborating with the partners to provide a flexible learning environment in terms of course scheduling, location, and course delivery to enhance access and meet learner needs.
• Providing up to date technology resources for course delivery and classroom usage.
2. Ensure access and achievement for every student through innovative student centered programs and services by,
• Recruiting and supporting underserved populations for access into the Higher Education Center.
• Working collaboratively with the institutional partners to offer courses and services to best meet the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students.
• Providing courses through the multiple means of delivery.
• Providing appropriate space for each partnering institution to meet with students for services such as admissions, counseling, financial aid, and other services as appropriate.
• Providing appropriate and adequate access to the Chesapeake College Learning Resource Center, Food Service, and Bookstore.
3. Serve as a catalyst for regional economic development, education, and professional development and the enhancement of long term partnerships by,
• Convening a Steering Committee made up of representatives of each of the partnering institutions.
• Pursuing the development of a Regional Professional Development Center for Public Education with local Assistant Superintendents for Instruction.
• Responding to the needs of the regional Economic Development Directors, Chamber of Commerce representatives, the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board, and the Upper Shore Manufacturing and Business Council to identify degree programs which meet the educational and training needs of local business and industry.
• Developing and supporting partnerships which enhance access, program completion, and lifelong learning.

• Maintain the two current staff positions (Executive Director and Administrative Associate) at the ESHEC.
• Refit existing Computer Lab with state of the art computers and printers, in order to meet the demands of STEM Career degrees.
• Provide support to the ESHEC in order to support STEM degrees being offered by partner institutions. (Funds to offset leasing fees to the ESHEC for the first year of any STEM program.)
• Support the increasing infrastructure needs of the ESHEC (electricity, replacement of equipment, plant operation needs, increasing building maintenance costs, etc.)
• Purchase Sympodium (smart) Monitors for all teacher stations in every classroom
• Hire an evening / security / IT staff member to be on site from 4 – 10pm each night and weekends, as needed

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