Organization Information
Lead Organization
Lake Tahoe Community College
Who engaged in this project?
Lake Tahoe Community College, South Tahoe High School, 20+ dental offices in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and
a variety of outdoor recreation/wilderness medicine providers and stakeholders related to Search and
Rescue and Emergency Medical Services in the region.
Funding Information
Total Funding Received
$50,180
Type of Funding Received
Workgroup Proposal
Student Information
Who were the intended beneficiaries?
Students of color, low-income learners, first-generation learners, rural learners, adult learners, and comebackers.
How many students were served?
65 students
Program Information
Expands dual-enrollment Dental Assisting and promotes high-demand careers with credentials and externships in healthcare, culinary, and forestry.
How is this project reaching high-priority or underserved student populations?
The Dental Assisting and Radiology Program career pathway serves one of the most diverse student cohorts of any dual enrollment or career education pathway offered by Lake Tahoe Community College. Program demographics over the last 5 years show between 50–83% female and female-identifying students, and between 60–83% Hispanic/Latinx students served. Student success rates are typically 100% for entire student cohorts.
What is different now because of the work you were funded to accomplish?
Dental students are now able to train on the actual equipment they will use in the field, including gaining hands-on experience with the scanner used by most dental offices in the region, as well as access to high-quality simulations with the new manikin. In Dental Radiology Part 3 (HEA 147C), students hone workplace dental assisting skills and take part in a comprehensive externship placement experience. Clinical placements are available at multiple dental offices.
The Wilderness Medicine and Outdoor Leadership program, utilizing marketing funding, is currently experiencing record enrollments in related courses, with additional sections being added.
Do you have any insights that could help others in the Collaborative?
The success of the project is due in large part to the incredibly dedicated faculty leading both the Dental Assisting and Radiology and Wilderness Medicine / Outdoor Leadership programs at Lake Tahoe Community College. They have worked tirelessly to keep their instructional approaches and equipment aligned to industry standards and best practices, and have invested significant time in recruiting and training their respective instructional cadres. A focus on expanding supports for disproportionately impacted student populations has led to strong student success and persistence outcomes.
