E D U C AT I O N The northern satellite campus now has an interactive videoconferencing classroom on the second floor; another classroom, testing center, tutoring rooms and offices fill up most of the third floor. The classic auditorium, also on the third floor, will remain available for public use. NIC staff members hope to use the auditorium as well for the college’s musical and theater events. The building’s annex, facing Pine Street, has a room for yoga, zumba and similar classes; a 16-station computer lab; and a suite of rooms for its nursing program, including a classroom, lab and clinical stations. Upstairs another large classroom and a collection of small offices and study spaces are for NIC’s Adult Basic Education program. A second classroom upstairs has some fixtures in place that would make it an ideal science classroom – a major near-term goal. A science classroom in Sandpoint would spare northern students the drive to the main campus at Coeur d’Alene to use science facilities.
In addition to considerations of size, NIC staff likes the location because of its proximity to two affiliated programs, the Area Agency on Aging and Head Start. “All of NIC’s services – we like to say from cradle to grave – will be represented,” said Green. NIC sponsors the Area Agency on Aging, which helps older citizens stay independent and contribute to their communities. The local affiliate serving seniors in Idaho’s five northern counties has relocated to NIC’s Sandpoint campus. The other end of the age spectrum is represented at Head Start; it serves preschoolers and their parents and is housed right across Euclid Street in another historic building. “The new (NIC) location provides a close connection for the families we serve at Head Start,” said LouRinda Buttrey, Head Start Family and Community Partnership coordinator. NIC at Sandpoint has 15 faculty and five staff. Students can complete an associate’s degree in town through
103 W. Superior, Sandpoint
a combination of face-to-face classes, interactive video conferencing and online classes. The vision is to expand class offerings to Bonner and Boundary county students, eventually filling the whole building. “We would like to grow the Sandpoint site from an outreach center to a branch campus,” said Dunlap. Green is particularly interested in input from citizens of Bonner and Boundary counties about the classes or workforce training they would like to see the center provide. Some non-college tenants will remain in both buildings, and both the Scotts and NIC staff are enthusiastic about the potential this provides for collaborative undertakings. The Scotts are also looking at bringing in a new tenant to serve both students and the public. “We always planned a coffee bar or eatery on the second floor,” said Brad Scott. Spring registration begins Nov. 26; classes begin Jan. 14. Phone 263-4594 or 877-404-4536; www.bit.ly/nicsandpoint.
(208)263-8514
Walk-ins welcome • Gentle care • Open Fridays and Saturdays
New Patient Special - $89 Includes complete exam, digital x-rays, basic cleaning
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SANDPOINT MAGAZINE
WINTER 2013