Tech Prep,

Prep Education &

NSF Projects
SUCCESS STORIES

SIMPLE. CLEAR. SOLUTIONS.

 82010
CROSSBRIDGE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
SIMPLE. CLEAR. SOLUTIONS.
www.crossbridge1.com
937.299.6489
 Tech Prep & Higher Education
Annual Report 2006 Snapshot

Brochure Workforce Development Impact

Brochure & Fact Sheets Computer Information Systems

Executive Snapshot MEtaMorph Career Exploration

Executive Summary Self-Study for Reaccreditation

Grant Applications College & Careers Transition Initiative

How-To Guide Managing a Tech Prep Consortium

While only one image is shown, each project typically involved

multiple components for print, digital and/or web use.

Crossbridge Communications, LLC Success Stories 2009

SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS

Quality, Time & Budget
You have the rare ability to
transform abstract ideas into
something concrete and
substantive, and to make complex
challenges seem simple and do-
able.
Ron Kindell
Associate Vice President
Sinclair Community College
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
ANNUAL REPORT
2006 Snapshot
The Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium collaborates with 58 area high schools
to create seamless career-technical education programs that begin in high school
and continue through college. MVTPC is a nationally recognized, award-winning
program.
CHALLENGE
The consortium wanted to develop a compact, high quality document to provide
an overview to Tech Prep programs and describe new program elements. The
primary goal was to highlight success profiles of students from each program
area.
SOLUTION
We worked closely with the assistant director to map the scope and objectives
and analyze and profile multiple target audiences, which ranged from business
leaders to teachers, parents and students. We conducted interviews of
graduates, students, teachers and industry leaders; helped create a cohesive
document layout that blended with existing materials; wrote and edited all copy;
created coherent quotes and testimonies; and collaborated with the project
manager to coordinate, approve and verify the complex document layout.
RESULTS
The 2006 Snapshot is a core promotional and informational piece for the
consortium. It is used to attract quality students to the program, to
communicate with parents, teachers, administrators and critical business leaders
who partner with the program to provide hands-on technical work experiences.
Success Stories 2009

Leadership & Skill
Your facilitation of the process was
wonderfully effective. I knew you
could manage and produce great
communications on budget and
time, but I had underestimated the
importance and quality of the
facilitation required to accomplish
the task.
Your leadership and skills in this
area were most valuable. I
routinely recommend Crossbridge
to others seeking communications
assistance.
Dan Brazelton
Dean of Corporate & Community
Services
Sinclair Community College
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
BROCHURE
Workforce Development Impact
Sinclair Community College is one of the leading two-year colleges in the nation.
The Corporate & Community Services division provides quality executive,
managerial, professional and technical programs in multiple state-of-the art
facilities.
CHALLENGE
The goal was to find an effective means to convey the many ways individuals,
companies, organizations and communities in the region benefit from the
divisions ongoing workforce development programs.
SOLUTION
We identified a handful of key indicators, conducted research and background
interviews, compiled focused impact summaries, and created compact
descriptions carefully targeted to a diverse, external base of customers and
stakeholders. Concise descriptions were coupled with dramatic photos to create a
14-panel roll-fold brochure and PowerPoint presentation.
RESULTS
Working with the client team, we documented a regional impact exceeding $100
million. The materials were used as an early salvo in the levy renewal effort and
continue to demonstrate the colleges impact on the communitys economic
vitality. Sinclairs workforce development efforts have been featured in the New
York Times.
Success Stories 2009

Top Quality
The college president saw our new
program package and he was
impressed. He said they
exemplified the top quality
materials all programs should be
using.
Nancy Thibeault
Department Chair
Computer Information Systems
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
BROCHURE & FACT SHEETS
Computer Information Systems
The Computer Information Systems (CIS) program at Sinclair Community College
is a state-of-the-art IT program that leads to an AAS degree or to a variety of
industry-standard certifications and certificates. Sinclair Community College is
one of the leading two-year colleges in the nation.
CHALLENGE
As part of the NSF-funded IT efforts, the CIS program underwent a major
overhaul that created multiple areas of concentration and associate degree,
certification, certificate and FastTrack programs. The program was in desperate
need of a comprehensive package of materials, and the department chair
wanted these to reflect the programs high-quality content and state-of-the-art
technology.
SOLUTION
We designed, developed and executed a complete series of color-coded fact
sheets tailored to both degree and non-degree program offerings. Each fact
sheet mapped both core and optional courses. We also designed, developed and
executed an overview brochure highlighting the seamless educational strategy
and range of education, industry and government partners contributing to the
programs success.
RESULTS
The final package established a new standard in program fact sheets. It consisted
of 14 components, including the comprehensive brochure, program overview
and 12 two-page fact sheets for degree areas of concentration, industry
certification tracks, certificate options and FastTrack programs.
Success Stories 2009

National Recognition
To this day, Im astounded how
well you distilled all our thinking
and input into the final Executive
Snapshot I cant tell you the
number of compliments the piece
has received locally and nationally.
When the US Department of
Education wants extra copies, you
know youve successfully reached
your target market.
Tracy Jayne, Assistant Director
Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT
MEtaMorph Career Exploration
The Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium collaborates with 58 area high schools to
create seamless career-technical education programs that begin in high school
and continue through college. MVTPC is a nationally recognized, award-winning
program.
CHALLENGE
There were two major goals. The first was to design both print and web-based
curriculum targeted to 9th grade students to support early, meaningful career
exploration. The second was to develop useful how-to documentation describing
the development and implementation process.
SOLUTION
We worked with the team to pinpoint project parameters and profile the
divergent target audiences. We designed the logo and visual identity, edited and
helped structure curriculum and web-based content, wrote and edited the
Executive Snapshot, and designed the process map. We created a custom
PowerPoint presentation for the launch event and ongoing information and
training programs.
RESULTS
The curriculum is closing the critical 9th grade career knowledge gap. It received
US Department of Education recognition and is used by schools throughout Ohio.
Success Stories 2009
 SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Self-Study for Reaccreditation

Central Ohio Technical College operates four campuses in north-central Ohio. Its
mission is to provide technical training and education to area students and
employers, and it is one of the fastest growing two-year colleges in the state.

CHALLENGE

Institutions accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central

Association must periodically conduct complex self-reviews. COTCs previous self-
study resulted in multiple findings and a series of time-consuming and costly site
visits and reports.

Top Quality SOLUTION

I was confident that you would

ensure our final products would be We worked closely with the president, project coordinator, cross-functional
of the highest quality. I am very Steering Committee and external consultants to develop a targeted self-study
pleased and proud to present report. The goals were to attain unrestricted reaccreditation and identify and
them the Higher Learning substantiate significant strengths, challenges and opportunities. We also
Commission.
developed a compact Executive Summary suited for wider promotional
As a result of the Self-Study, we distribution.
have a core team of champions
empowered to own their processes
RESULTS
and outcomes.
Bonnie Coe, Ph.D. COTC received full 10-year reaccreditation without qualification. Evaluators
President
Central Ohio Technical College described the report and site visit as near to flawless as possible, and the HLC
displayed the package as a model at the national conference. The process created
a foundation for the development of the colleges first comprehensive strategic
Spectacular Job
plan.
My very personal congratulations
on a spectacular job. I am awed by
the quality. Youre truly the best.
Bill Sattelmeyer
Director
Digital Design Media
Central Ohio Technical College

Crossbridge Communications, LLC Success Stories 2009


Problem Solved
Thanks for pulling us out of the
drink.
Neil Herbersman
Director of Grants Development
Sinclair Community College
Top Quality
With your help, we completed three
top-quality grant applications
worth $2.25 million in funding
and all three were selected for
funding.
We could only accept one grant
award, but that effort alone
created $750,000 in new funding.
Ron Kindell
Director
Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
GRANT APPLICATIONS
College & Careers Transitions
Initiative
The Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium and Sinclair Community College
collaborate to provide seamless career-technical education programs that begin
in high school and continue through college. Both are nationally recognized,
award-winning entities.
CHALLENGE
The Miami Valley Tech Prep Consortium and Sinclair Community College were
working to develop a grant funding application for the College & Careers
Transition Initiative sponsored by the League of Innovation. The college president
was committed to landing one of these prestigious grants. To ensure the
applications were compact, the League had created extremely tight maximum
word counts for each application category. With only four weeks until the
submission deadline, the team called Crossbridge.
SOLUTION
We worked with the team to pinpoint guidelines, develop an accelerated timeline
and create extremely tight core descriptions for common elements that applied
to all three grant categories. We helped collect, interpret and illustrate key
indicators in tables and graphs, fleshed out the plan of action and deliverables
details. We ruthlessly edited all copy to ensure that every section in each of the
three applications did not exceed the designated word count.
RESULTS
All three grants were completed and submitted on time. Initially, all three were
selected for funding (totaling $2.25 million), but only one grant could be awarded
to the coalition under League criteria. The multiyear Engineering Technologies
effort received $750,000, was successfully completed, and is now a national
model.
Success Stories 2009

National Reputation
The how-to guides youve helped us
develop are widely regarded as
some of the best examples for Tech
Prep programs in the nation.
Bonnie Bensonhaver
Technical Consultant
Ohio Tech Prep
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
HOW-TO GUIDE
Insiders Guide to Managing a Tech
Prep Consortium
Ohio College Tech Prep manages the statewide effort to design, develop and
implement high quality, seamless technical education at the high school and
college level. It is recognized as one of the leading programs in the nation.
CHALLENGE
Differences in local funding, leadership capability and staffing levels created
widely varied management strategies and results from the 23 consortia.
SOLUTION
We designed, developed, executed and produced a comprehensive how-to guide
for managing Tech Prep consortia in Ohio. To increase consistency and support
topflight performance, the guide includes useful illustrations, checklists, graphics,
tools and resources to guide managers at every step.
RESULTS
The initial handbook was issued to consortia directors, relevant state staff and
other interested parties. It provided the focal point for a series of training and
development seminars, was featured at the National Tech Prep Conference and is
available for download from the Ohio Tech Prep website.
Success Stories 2009
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
 SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS

National Science Foundation Grants

Annual & Cumulative Reports IT@Sinclair Initiative

Best Practices IT Student Retention & Success

Center of Excellence Advanced Manufacturing Education

While only one image is shown, each project typically involved

multiple components for print, digital and/or web use.

Crossbridge Communications, LLC Success Stories 2009

SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS

$1.2 Million Impact
There is no question your work
helped us acquire the current
funding, which exceeds $1.2
million in value. Without this
partnership, we wouldnt be nearly
as successful as we are.
David Siefert
Director of Strategic Programs
Sinclair Community College
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
ANNUAL & CUMULATIVE REPORTS
IT@Sinclair Initiative
The IT@Sinclair program champions the comprehensive design, development,
implementation and continuous refreshment of IT curriculum for AAS degree
programs and professional and technical certification. The initial effort was
partially funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
CHALLENGE
Shortly after the IT@Sinclair Initiative was launched, the designated Principal
Investigator (PI) accepted a position elsewhere, so the program lacked leadership
during the critical startup months. When the new PI was appointed, he wanted to
ensure program results reported through FastLane and submitted as print
documents were captured and reported in an accurate, consistent and high
quality manner. The NSF-funded National Center of Excellence in Advanced
Manufacturing Education recommended he contact Crossbridge.
SOLUTION
To ensure long-term consistency and to expedite data collection and reporting
we created a series of models and templates. For print reports, we designed a
standard annual report outline and created a template and for FastLane, we
helped develop an effective strategy to offset gaps and challenges with the
evolving online reporting system.
RESULTS
Throughout the combined eight years of effort, we developed content for both
print and FastLane annual, cumulative and final project reports for IT@Sinclair
Initiative and the subsequent IT Student Retention & Success program. In total,
we completed more than 19 progress and results reports, including eight annual
reports (print), eight FastLane reports (online), two cumulative results reports
and one executive summary.
Success Stories 2009

Expertise
We could not have
accomplished this work
without your expertise, flexibility,
persistence, and insight.
Charlotte Wharton
Dean of Business Technologies
Sinclair Community College
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
BEST PRACTICES
IT Student Retention & Success
The IT Student Readiness & Retention effort was funded by the National Science
Foundation to find ways to boost student readiness, retention and success in
rigorous IT programs, and continue work begun by the IT@Sinclair program.
CHALLENGE & SOLUTION
Throughout two NSF projects spanning eight years, best practices were used to
document accomplishments, provide evidence of progress and serve as the
primary deliverables. We developed a master best practice structure, model and
strategy to improve accuracy, speed and consistency across multiple subject-
matter experts ranging from curriculum development to technology to NSF
project management and reporting strategies.
RESULTS
We completed 14 best practices, many of which are national models:
How to Design & Implement IT Tech Prep Programs
Creating a Seamless Information Technology Curriculum
Implementing Competency Based Learning Evaluations
Capturing Competency Based Employer Feedback
Designing & Implementing Instructor Resource Guides
Boosting Student Retention & Success: The CIS First-Year Experience
Course
Understanding Drag-and-Drop Curriculum Tools: The Sinclair Curriculum
Exchange (SCX) Program
Using the Learning Opportunity Decision Support Technology
Integrating Teaching and Learning: Rigor, Rhythm, and Respect
Designing & Implementing Student Readiness Assessments: Phase I
Designing & Implementing Student Readiness Assessments: Phase II
Results
Submitting FastLane Annual Project Reports: Tips & Tricks
Managing for Success: The Insiders Guide to NSF Project Management
Managing for Success: The Insiders Guide to Organizational Change &
Transformation
Success Stories 2009

Highly Successful
There are only a handful of
partners I consider go-to people,
and youre certainly on that list.
Great job You helped us take
this from a vague starting point to
a highly successful deliverable.
David Harrison
Dean
Business Technologies
Crossbridge Communications, LLC
SIMPLE CLEAR SOLUTIONS
NATIONAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Advanced Manufacturing Education
Sinclair Community College is one of the leading two-year colleges in the nation,
with 37,000 students attending classes online or at five campuses and learning
centers in southwest Ohio. It is one of only 12 Vanguard Learning colleges in the
country.
CHALLENGE
The National Science Foundation awarded $6.8 million to Sinclair Community
College and the University of Dayton to develop a National Center of Excellence
for Advanced Manufacturing Education (NCE/AME). The mission was to develop
state-of-the-art education to support the needs of US manufacturing operations.
All NSF grants require a range of extensive results-based communications.
SOLUTION
Crossbridge helped design, develop and produce more than 15 critical
deliverables, including eight FastLane, annual and cumulative results reports, two
industry-specific training programs, multiple PowerPoint presentations, one
pivotal executive summary, a marketing brochure, a professional journal article
and components for the module development kit.
RESULTS
The total value of the NCE/AME grant exceeded $6.8 million, and overall,
Crossbridge has helped Sinclair acquire or retain close to $8.5 million in NSF
project funds.
Success Stories 2009
SIMPLE.CLEAR.SOLUTIONS. 937.299.6489 www.crossbridge1.com