Telecommunications Technology at Massasoit is offered only to qualifying Verizon technicians through Verizon's grant based Next Step Program. In 1995 the Next Step program began as a collaborative effort with one of its Unions, the IBEW, International Brotherhood of Workers. The Program's objective is to provide an innovative, educational and skill based degree offering that will enable Verizon technicians to stay current with advancing technology, understand changing marketplace realities and enhance customer service skills. Technicians selected to participate in the program attend classes on company time and earn the degree of Associate in Applied Science in Telecommunications Technology completely at company expense.
A common syllabus, common principal texts and a virtual learning environment through BlackBoard distinguish the curriculum. Faculty from the eleven New England colleges and the New York sister program meet twice a year at the Verizon Training Center in Marlboro, Massachusetts to resolve curriculum matters, improve instructional methodologies and to participate in professional development activities. Program Coordinators, from each participating community college, convene each fall and spring semester to discuss program operations, curriculum updates and problem resolution.
The Next Step Program is an exemplary corporate to higher education initiative that offers fiscal support in providing regular faculty development opportunities and for state of the art telecommunications equipment, areas where community college resources are sometimes severely limited. Massasoit Community College is the largest dual campus Next Step Program in New England . With a strong student retention and graduation rate, excellent faculty and facilities, the Next Step Program at Massasoit remains an effective model of business to college collaboration.
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