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TVCC tells Nyssa board dual-credit saves families money as college readies new workforce and bachelor programs
Summary
Treasure Valley Community College told the Nyssa School Board that dual-credit participation helps local students save on college costs, and previewed expansions including an advanced-energy trade center, allied-health facilities, and plans for bachelor's degrees in nursing and elementary education.
Treasure Valley Community College representatives briefed the Nyssa School Board on dual-credit participation by local students, tuition savings and new program expansions.
Dr. Dana Young, vice president of student affairs at TVCC, said the college served 5,148 people in 2024-25 and that a majority of their students are older than traditional college age. "People are usually surprised to learn that a majority of our students are over the age of 21," she said, noting TVCC serves many returning and mid-career students. Dr. Young said just under 25% of students identify as Hispanic/Latinx and that 26% of students did not answer the optional race/ethnicity question, a data gap TVCC is working to reduce because it affects funding.
TVCC staff reported local participation in dual-credit programs: in 2024-25, presenters cited 79 Nyssa students in career and technical education (CTE) courses and 34 taking academic transfer courses; they said Nyssa students collectively earned 703 college credits, which the presenters estimated saved families roughly $868 in tuition per student on average for a recent year. "We want to reduce the college costs for our Nyssa High School families," Dr. Young said.
Travis, TVCC's vice president of student services, described the college's affordability efforts, including more than $400,000 a year in foundation scholarships, athletic tuition waivers and merit- and recruiting-oriented waivers such as the Chucker Promise. "We really put a vested interest into making sure the college is affordable," he said.
Presenters also previewed program and facilities expansions. TVCC has acquired an Advanced Energy and Trade Center to house expanded electrical and plumbing apprenticeships and plans a facilities-maintenance degree to replace retiring skilled workers. TVCC said it will open an allied-health building to increase nursing cohort capacity, is developing a surgical-tech program and expects to field a first cohort for a bachelor of science in nursing through a statewide collaborative lottery (six seats). TVCC also reported initial approval steps for a bachelor's program in elementary education that it aims to launch in fall 2027 using a partner model to reduce startup burden for a small rural college.
Board members asked whether TVCC could add a physical-therapy-assistant (PTA) program. TVCC staff said the Higher Education Coordinating Commission requires evidence of employer demand and encouraged the board and local employers to provide letters or data showing likely job openings to justify a new program. "If you have a link or something you can send me where those numbers are compelling enough for us to build a program, we'd be happy to continue to work on that," a TVCC official said.
TVCC staff said they will aim to return with updates annually or every other year and left literature and contact information with the board. The presentation highlighted existing supports — benefits navigators, tutoring, contracted counseling and emergency funds — intended to reduce barriers for rural students and encourage degree completion.
