Educators What does CCn offer?
This 4-minute video to the left provides a quick look at the benefits of membership in the CCN community. Click on the green button below for a deeper dive into the CCN's structure and member college responsibilities.
The Convergence College Network (CCN) is a select cohort of community colleges and universities from across the country that connects IT educators with a wealth of resources to enhance their programs. Any school that either offers an IT/convergence degree and certificate program - or is considering offering one - can join the CCN.
There is no membership fee. Instead, CCN member schools receive benefits based on their unique level of engagement and participation. The chart below explains the differences in benefits offered to Level 1 and Level 2 members. Learn more about the activities required to receive full Level 1 benefits on the application page.
Because the National CTC sunset on September 30, 2023 we are no longer accepting CCN applications.
The League of Innovation recently published an article about the CCN’s origin and strategies the National CTC employ to keep the community engaged and connected.
BECOME A MEMBER
OF THE CONVERGENCE COLLEGE NETWORK
For colleges who are interested in joining the Convergence College Network, we have an application and other criteria that we require to access the benefits offered by the CCN. Colleges must also be able to provide sufficient equipment for a lab, available faculty to work on the program, and appropriate time to work with a CCN mentor.
LEVEL 1 MANDATORY ACTIVITIES
- Provide yearly evidence of two local/regional Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) meetings (attach minutes, agenda, or roster)
- One of your two yearly local/regional BILT meetings must validate job skills annually following National CTC model (after first list, then you're only submitting the revisions).
- Submit yearly CCN status report (enrollment #s, graduation #s, etc.)
CCN GENERAL ACTIVITIES
- Participate in CCN calls/meetings
- Attend the National BILT calls/meetings
- Send one or more faculty to Summer and/or Winter Working Connections
- Make efforts to promote CCN, recruit and secure new members
- Develop/update degree or certificate plan based on job skills outcome
- Provide evidence of implementing/sustaining "recruitment plan"
- Attend and/or present at one or more IT/convergence professional development conferences
- Host one or more local recruitment events
- Submit a 300‐word blog post to the CT
There are two different levels of participation for CCN members. The benefits available to each level differ based on the participation of the college. Member colleges who wish to receive the maximum level of benefits will be required to invest more time and energy in the program. Participation activities are ranked by a point system.
Benefits
Level 1
Level 2
Participate in unique cost‐reduction virtual labs that share technology resources online among several schools
Register early for National CTC free professional development events in advance of the general public
Request sizable travel reimbursement help for National CTC free professional development events
Access a robust collection of IT/convergence curricula and classroom resources created by instructors
Learn how to develop your own regional Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) and get your program aligned with workforce needs
Network with National CTC leaders who have written successful grants to brainstorm ideas and get feedback on proposals as time permits
Receive updates on current industry trends and jobs skills needs from the National CTC's Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT)
Collaborate with other CCN member IT/convergence instructors across the country to incorporate new technologies, build academic alliances, develop strategies for program improvement, and share models for recruitment and retention
To assist new CCN members, the National CTC will also provide:
- A senior CCN faculty member for mentoring and consulting
- An administrative point of contact to address questions and concerns
- A resource overview explaining how to participate in the community and leverage its expertise