Mid-Plains Community College has become the first community college in the state to offer an Associate of Fine Arts degree.
The college received a letter Tuesday announcing approval by the Higher Learning Commission, the final step in the process.
Prior to that, the degree had to be approved by Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, which it was in June, following a recommendation by the MPCC Board of Governors in April.
Plans are to implement the degree this fall. Students will be able to select an emphasis in art, theater or music.
“This is a major highlight for the college,” said Jody Tomanek, area vice-president of academic affairs and North Platte Community College. “To be the first community college in the state to offer the AFA is groundbreaking – students will attend MPCC solely for this degree. By offering it, we are not only reaching out to students who are interested in majoring in the fine arts, but also this program makes us unique to students across the state and region.”
Tomanek has been dedicated to implementing an AFA degree since she was hired five years ago. However, conversations about the offering actually began in 2005 after they were initiated by Rick Johnson, art instructor at McCook Community College.
“I proposed it so we could have a specialty degree for fine arts students,” said Johnson. “When I got my doctorate, I saw students entering the university better prepared and with more skill sets because of the individualized attention they had received through an AFA program. I thought it would be good for our students to have that mindset.”
Part of the reason he thought the degree would be a success at MPCC is because of the culture of the towns in and around the college’s 18-county service area.
“McCook and North Platte, especially, are huge backers of the arts,” said Johnson. “From the Fox Theatre and Wrightstone Gallery in McCook to the Neville Center and now the new Prairie Arts Center in North Platte, this area is really becoming a hub for the fine arts. Not to mention, we have the Museum of Nebraska Art just down the road at Kearney to use as a teaching tool.”
He found the administrative support he needed for the project in Tomanek.
“I wanted to provide the degree for a couple of reasons – first and foremost, for our students,” Tomanek said. “Being able to offer this type of degree shows the college’s commitment to the fine arts. Students in art, music and theater need time to hone their craft just like auto technicians, contractors and electricians.”
She said the project really hit its stride about two years ago.
“That’s when we formed a committee of faculty to research what the curriculum would entail,” said Tomanek. “For 18 months, the faculty has worked to perfect curriculum, conduct research, consult four-year universities and obtain letters of support from our local communities.”
She believes the AFA is a win-win for everybody. It will allow the college to create smoother transfer agreements in the fine arts to four-year universities, and students who opt to start their fine arts careers at MPCC will save money by doing so.
Tomanek said she’s extremely grateful to the Board of Governors, Coordinating Commission and Higher Learning Commission for their support, and faculty at MPCC echoed her sentiments.
“This is such a unique opportunity for students,” said Johnson. “All of the instructors teaching this program are experts in their particular fields. The degree offers a chance for fine arts students to be well-rounded and go on to next level refined and polished.”
He’s also convinced the AFA will be a tremendous recruiting tool.
“I know the students will come,” said Johnson. “We’re looking for students to represent MPCC in the higher education field. That’s the type of thing we can search out with this degree. We can go outside the realm and try to get students undecided about where to go. Now that this is all happening, it’s really cool.”
Elizabeth Peters, music instructor at NPCC, is just as excited for her department.
“I am absolutely ecstatic,” said Peters. “It was a lot of work, but so worth it for our students. We have such an awesome team of fine arts faculty, and this couldn’t have happened without all of us working together. This is such a big thing for our school, and we couldn’t be more proud.”
More information about the Associate of Fine Arts program is available by calling(800) 658-4348, or visiting www.mpcc.edu.