STLCC Receives National Honor for Innovative Student Scheduling System
March 06, 2026
Posted by STLCC in News Resources
St. Louis Community College placed in the top ten in a national competition recognizing innovation and excellence in community college programs and services.
The work of the College’s Course Scheduling Review Team (CSRT) was a top-ten finalist for the 2026 Bellwether Award submission.
The nationally recognized Bellwether Award focuses on cutting-edge, trendsetting programs worthy of replication. Annually, 30 community colleges are deemed finalists from a large group of applicants in the United States and its territories. The selected colleges compete for one of three Bellwether Award categories: Instructional Programs and Services; Planning, Governance, Finance; and Workforce Development.
The CSRT moved the College's scheduling process from a locally developed, internally competitive system to a more cohesive district-wide approach. This transformation has resulted in an improved schedule that significantly benefits the students and positively impacts enrollment and completion rates.
The initial CSRT team was led by Steve Collins, professor, history; Rokhaya Niang Ndao, professor, mathematics; James Munden, division dean, sciences; and Julie Massey, vice president, student affairs. Several members of the team presented their process and outcomes in February 2026 at the League for Innovation Conference in San Antonio, Texas, drawing great interest from member colleges.
“With the level of excellence found in community colleges, this recognition is extremely meaningful, and I commend our staff on this honor,” said Jeff L. Pittman, PhD, STLCC chancellor. “The focus on an improved student experience is reward in itself, and our students are getting the most important prize.”
This important shift is already delivering a more student-centered schedule, one that strengthens enrollment, supports persistence, and enhances the overall student experience. The current CSRT Team is chaired by Amanda White, professor of sociology, and includes Rob Lee, dean and director, South County, Julie Massey, VP student affairs, and Keri Janssen, associate professor, biological science.
STLCC was the winner of the 2024 Bellwether Award in the workforce development category for the entry, Show Me Synergy: Growing the Healthcare Workforce in St. Louis.
