Cook County Higher Education
Program Information
Program Director: Paula Sundet Wolf
Student Services Coordinator: Kirstin van den Berg
Address: P.O. Box 57, Grand Marais, Minnesota (MN) 55604
Email: highered@boreal.org
Phone: (218) 387-3411 FAX: (218) 387-3413

Mission: CCHE is a community-based program that focuses on rural access to higher education that could not otherwise be obtained.

Goal: To contribute to the region's sustainability by providing opportunities for higher education that result in living-wage employment and an educated workforce that meets the needs of a highly diverse community.

History: Cook County is located in far northeast Minnesota – the Tip of the Arrowhead. To attend a college or university the average resident has to travel over 125 miles one-way via a single highway that winds up the North Shore. Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) is an innovative, unique non-profit organization created in 1996 to serve the higher education needs of a rural remote community.

In the early 1990’s Cook County conducted a needs assessment that determined the county could not support a community college. However, the results justified receiving a three-year $163,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to operate the Cook County Higher Education Distance Education Resource Center as an alterative to a community college. CCHE was awarded state funding starting in July of 2000, and which was increased effective July 2007. CCHE is currently funded by state ($120,000) and county ($9,500) annual grants, in addition to project grants, donations, and in-kind contributions.

Program Objectives
Educational Attainment: College Courses, Degree Programs, and Training Workshops offered in conjunction with regional colleges and universities using Interactive Television (ITV), online, and local instructors.
Fairness, Opportunity, and Access: Mentoring and computer support resources for distance learning students, high speed Internet access from a small computer lab, testing services for enrolled and prospective students, and information resources for degree programs, training, financial aid, library books, and more. In addition, CCHE provides two types of scholarships that provide annual support to distance learning students enrolled in degree programs, and textbook scholarships that are awarded based on financial need.
Social Capital: Work with local and regional businesses, organizations, and learning institutions to best serve the higher education needs of the community, and promote services already available, such as Adult Basic Education services, and Community Education classes.


Program Highlights

New Opportunities: Cook County Higher Education has purchased a building at 300 W. 3rd Street in the heart of Grand Marias, and is in the process of renovating the space to create a North Shore Campus that will provide a physical space where students, high school age to senior citizens, can study together, work together, share, and encourage each other. The North Shore Campus is an affordable alternative to the expense of a college campus, with flexible programming that directly addresses the economic needs of our community. The decision to expand was based on solid research regarding student needs, employment needs, economic trends, and sustainability

In January 2008, CCHE hired Ron McGriff, Consulting Librarian, to conduct a space analysis survey. CCHE currently occupies space in the Lower Level of the Sawtooth Mt. Clinic, with full time rental of office and small classroom totaling 649 square feet, plus access to a large classroom totaling 900 square feet.

Mr. McGriff’s conclusions identified specific physical needs for every aspect of CCHE services, and strongly recommended more than doubling the size of office and classroom facilities, outlining specific use areas totaling 3,620 square feet. In addition, he strongly recommended locating CCHE more prominently in the community. Mr. McGriff’s concluding comments state, “Although its program visibility is strong, the CCHE’s location in the lower level of the clinic hides its services and activities, to a degree, from a substantial portion of the community.”

Mr. McGriff based his conclusions on one-to-one interviews with students, mentors, instructors, CCHE staff, and CCHE board members. His evaluation of CCHE was glowing. He states, “Through effective promotion and high quality staff assistance, the CCHE program continues to grow and be a very important service for the region. Interviews with students revealed the high regard held for the abilities and assistance of CCHE staff members and also the importance to them of the availability of the organization’s services.”

Support for the North Shore Campus project comes from a $125,000 grant from Blandin Foundation, a $30,000 grant from Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, a $20,000 grant from Iron Range Resources, and $6,700 (and more) in local contributions. This next year will see some exciting new developments in the future of CCHE and the North Shore Campus!

Areas of Need: Cook County Higher Education’s 2008 budget is $175,300. This will be used to offer health related college courses and certificates (Nursing Assistant, Trained Medication Administration, and EMT), health related degree programs (Massage Therapy, Registered Nurse, and Paramedic Technician), plus business related workshops and certificate programs including Leadership Management, Personnel Management, Customer Service, ServSafe Food Handling, and Real Estate continuing education. In addition to state, county, and foundation grants, CCHE depends on donations from individuals interested in seeing area residents reach their full potential through education. There are several areas of immediate need!

Scholarships:There are currently three degree scholarships available to CCHE students, although. One of the scholarships is specific for Lake County residents, and the other two are specific for Cook County residents. CCHE is in the process of building endowments for these scholarships to provide support in perpetuity.
General Opperating Support:If the CCHE office and staff were not here, students would lose their support services! Thus, contributions to general operating expenses provide real and tangible support for area residents as we work to provide these valuable educational services to the community.
New Facility: Renovation plans are underway, and expect to cost $220,000. This will renovate the upper floor and include ADA accessible restrooms, Interactive Television classrooms and computer lab, student services, testing room, and offices. Additional funds will be needed to install a platform lift ($37,000) to make the first and second floor accessible within the building, $30,000 to replace the asbestos exterior siding, and $75,000 to complete the renovation needs of the first floor classroom, student study area, and student break room. Architectural drawings and enginnering is completed for the whole project. We would love to have the opportunity to talk to you about naming possibilities if you are interested in supporting the cost of a classroom. Stop in and see the plans!
How to Give:
Cash and stock: This is the simplest way to give and provides immediate benefits for students who rely on Cook County Higher Education. These gifts can qualify for income tax deductions. And, if your securities have appreciated in value, giving them as a charitable contribution can help you avoid capital gains taxes.
Estate: Whether you are in the process of updating your estate plan, or just beginning, there are a variety of charitable tools available to meet your financial and philanthropic goals. A gift through your estate can be as simple as a bequest to Cook County Higher Education in your will or trust, or a beneficiary designation of a life insurance policy, retirement plan or financial account. You may find life-income gifts, such as a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust a good choice, providing you with immediate tax savings and annual income for you and/or your spouse or other loved one.
The types of gifts you make with your estate can make a difference to your family, friends and the charities you support. We would be happy to explore the best choices for you and work with your attorney or financial advisor if you decide to make a planned gift to benefit Cook County Higher Education.

If you're considering a gift and would like more information: Contact CCHE Director, Paula Sundet at 218-387-3411 or Bill Hansen, CCHE Board of Director at 218-663-7150. As with all estate decisions, please consult an attorney, a tax professional or an investment professional for advice before finalizing your gift choice.

Student News

Testimonials: Ann Dawson is enrolled in the RN program via Hibbing Community College. She works part time and has two small children. She says, “It is great to be able to do the nursing schooling in a small community, and still get the same education.” She adds, “Thank you for all the hard work and hours you put in for us. I know that we would not have the opportunities if it was not for people like you that give to the community. I know how hard you work and I am very appreciative.”

Student Services:In 2007, CCHE locally provided 17 college classes and 29 workshops. Overall, 357 participants enrolled in college courses and workshops, a 21% increase over 2006 enrollment.
Four major forms of course delivery are available to CCHE students:

On-Site Courses: Many students, daunted by the unfamiliarity of correspondence, on-line, or ITV courses, are eager to enroll in on-site courses to experience the interaction of students and teacher. Through Lake Superior College and Vermilion Community College (Laurentian), CCHE has hosted three-credit, four-credit, and one-credit courses.

ITV: Interactive Television is relatively new to Cook County. It was temporarily installed in late 1997, and permanently located in the Community Education facilities in early 1998. ITV provides an opportunity for a real-time classroom experience without leaving the county.

Correspondence Courses: CCHE students take traditional correspondence courses using support materials such as videos, on-line resources, e-mail and FAX communications, and proctored exams. Correspondence courses allow an individual to take courses in subject areas specific to his or her needs, so CCHE has a broad range of distance education materials from across the nation.

Online Classes: Computer technology is opening a whole new world for distance education. Courses are available online, and even entire degree programs. In addition to college course offerings, CCHE works with the local resources of Community Education and the local Internet server Boreal Access to provide a wide range of computer training courses to the community.

In addition to enrolled students, CCHE serves hundreds of adults, including high school students, who are researching their education options. Students who elect to take on-campus courses often make their decisions after exploring their options by utilizing the materials in our resource center. CCHE is not limited by the resources of one educational system, so individuals are able to consider quality distance education opportunities offered by institutions from around the world.


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Cook County Higher Education - North Shore Campus - 300 West 3rd Street
P.O. Box 57 - Grand Marais, MN 55604 (218) 387-3411
email: highered@boreal.org