Public offers suggestions for MCCC's Whitman Center

TEMPERANCE — About 35 people offered their suggestions for Monroe County Community College’s Whitman Center during two recent Community Conversations.

The public's responses showed that the Whitman Center is a "valued community resource," said Josh Myers, executive director of The Foundation at MCCC and director of government and alumni relations.

The college's second campus, 7777 Lewis Ave., although in use, is not currently offering classes, as it did for many years.

"It is not currently offering any on-ground sections due to low census and lack of student interest," said Joe Verkennes, MCCC's director of marketing and communications. "The Monroe County Intermediate Transition Center is currently using the Whitman Center. MCCC is currently renting/sharing space (and is open to expanding this practice) through public/private partnerships and collaboration with other educational, non-profit or government partners."

In March, Kojo Quartey, MCCC's president, invited the public to share ideas to reinvigorate the site.

Previous Coverage: MCCC seeks community input on future of Whitman Center

"We want to ensure that the Whitman Center serves the needs of the community going forward," Quartey said in a news release.

Some of the ideas that came up at the Community Conversations included, "using the Whitman Center to increase support for the business community; offering specialized credit and non-credit opportunities; serving as a venue for the visual and performance arts; and hosting satellite services for community agencies, to name just a few," said Myers.

"There are no plans to sell the Whitman Center," Verkennes said.

“Dr. Quartey was very pleased with the turnout and engagement from the community," Myers said. "The community members’ enthusiasm affirmed what the college already knew: the Whitman Center is a valued community resource that can be repurposed and revitalized to continue serving the residents of southern Monroe County."

Myers said MCCC is now considering the options, and some plans are already in the works.

“Several proposals are actively being explored by the college administration," he said. "MCCC is excited about a new upcoming partnership with Bedford Schools to offer a credit Emergency Medical Technician certificate, and the MCCC Office of Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development expects to offer non-credit programming by the upcoming fall semester.”

The Office of Lifelong Learning, Verkennes said, "provides innovative instruction, training and learning services that are designed for the pursuit of individual career passions, as well as personal enrichment. MCCC’s Office of Workforce Development offers customized business and industry training options to fit the precise needs of local employers."

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Part of the 10-acre piece of property for the Whitman Center was donated to MCCC around 1990 by Whitman Ford and then-owner Paul Whitman.

"MCCC subsequently purchased two additional parcels," Verkennes said.

MCCC paid for construction of the $2.2M facility on the property, according to Monroe News archives. The Whitman Center opened in 1991. MCCC's main campus in Monroe opened in 1964.

"The Whitman Center served southern Monroe County for many years as a nearby location for course sections also offered at the main campus. Frequently, it served as an overflow for sections that were at capacity on main campus," Verkennes said. "Student preferences have changed dramatically since the pandemic. Students are now much more comfortable with online learning, and students who once would have taken an on-ground course now prefer to enroll in online courses. This has eliminated the demand that once led to a full Whitman Center. About two decades ago, the Whitman Center served around 1,000 students, many of whom also took classes at main campus."

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Public offers suggestions for MCCC's Whitman Center