Accademic Leadership Team Minutes 3/10/2020

Academic Leadership Team

March 10, 2020

2:00 pm

RH 220

Members Present: Gayle Arries, Tiffany Blackwell, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Ahmad Chaudhry, Jenni Creamer, Rick Cothran, Galen DeHay, Mark Dougherty, Mandy Elmore, Adam Ghiloni, Pam Goodman, Linda Jameison, Tasheka Johnson, Scott Harvey, Glenn Hellenga, Gabe Hollingsworth, Tom Lawrence, Bryan Manuel, Chris Marino, Jeremy McCracken, Mary Orem, Sarah Shumpert, Luke VanWingerden

Members Absent: Scott Harvey, Bryan Manuel

Other Attendees: Grayson Kelly, Marci Leake

Length of Meeting: 1 Hour

The minutes of the January 28, 2020 meeting were approved as presented.

New Branding Webpages/New Marketing/Recruitment Communication Opportunities

Gayle Arries and Tiffany Blackwell led this discussion, and reviewed the handouts on marketing prioritization and enrollment planning. Gayle reviewed the college’s page, tctc.edu/brand, and noted valuable information about branding, standard promotional tools, signage and wayfinding, and generic postcards.

Tiffany reviewed the enrollment planning handout and noted what is continuing and what is new. New includes:

Embedding I-BEST into enrollment strategies.


Transient-focused direct mail cards.

Tiffany also noted the post cards, which can be ordered from Marketing, and noted that Marketing will pay the postage. Currently, these are generic. If this is successful, they may expand to departments.

Gayle discussed the marketing prioritization handout and discussed the different levels. She reviewed the Automotive Technology Level 1 plan and noted the accolades and EMSI data that each plan will have. For non-academic areas, she will work with directors to deliver accurate, consistent information.

Pandemic Planning

Galen reported that a group is finalizing the college’s pandemic plan. Much discussion took place and the following points were noted.

The academic divisions’ continuity plans are either final or close to final.


Send final plans to Galen by close of business on March 13, 2020.


Will continue to update tctc.edu/coronavirus with information.


Must continue the delivery of our programs and services. . Focus on critical needs. Do the best you can.


SACSCOC requires a letter stating our plan. Plan requires SACSCOC approval.

Educational Plans

Academic plans for continuity at a distance for two weeks.


E-learning day


Discussed concerns.


Communication to students. Refer them to their instructors


Each dean has communicated to department heads and faculty.


Will take place in class on Thursday and Friday. Faculty has control over the delivery method.


Will expose students to resources and allow practice.


Will better define gaps to help assess development and training needs for faculty and students.


Expecting training needs, the Office of Academic Development has concerns about being able to meet the demand.


Base set of things and instructor needs to know how to do. Use of BlackBoard is up to each division for E-Learning day.

Curriculum & Instruction will assemble to create a two-week outage plan based on information from faculty. Luke VanWingerden will be included.

Additional discussion

Weekly, standing meetings are taking place to share information. Shared drive is updated often. Changes are posted quickly.


Question about closure: Governor closes state agencies in consult with DHEC.

Student Absences

Attendance will still be taken. Work with students, be practical.


Everyone must make the decisions that are best for them, but there may consequences.


Students do not need to provide a doctor’s excuse. If it is provided, due to HIPPA concerns, faculty should not accept it. Refer to Student Development.

Announcements

Were delayed until a later meeting.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

　

Recorded By: Anne Bryan

Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 11 @ 1:00, in RH 220

Academic Leadership Team Minutes 1/28/2020

Academic Leadership Team

January 28, 2020

1:00 pm

RH 220

Members Present: Gayle Arries, Tiffany Blackwell, Jackie Blakley, Ahmad Chaudhry, Jenni Creamer, Rick Cothran, Galen DeHay, Mark Dougherty, Mandy Elmore, Adam Ghiloni, Pam Goodman, Tasheka Johnson, Scott Harvey, Glenn Hellenga, Gabe Hollingsworth, Tom Lawrence, Bryan Manuel, Jeremy McCracken, Mary Orem, Sarah Shumpert, Luke VanWingerden

Members Absent: Tim Bowen, Linda Jameison, Chris Marino

Other Attendees:

Length of Meeting: 2 Hours

The minutes of the January 14, 2020 meeting were approved as presented.

Jeremy McCracken is the new Faculty Senate Vice-President. Galen welcomed him to the group.

Catalog

Scott Harvey discussed the catalog and reiterated the timeline and deadline. The catalog training sessions will help with questions, so he encouraged everyone to attend. Edits are due by February 12. The catalog should be ready by April 1.

He noted the following.

The style guide mostly applies to grammar and narratives.


If a process, policy, or purpose did not change, do not re-write it. Not liking the voice or style is not a reason to make a change.


This is not the time to change a program.

Student Success Framework

Galen DeHay presented Student Success – An Evolving Definition, and distributed a copy of the presentation. The presentation noted the following:

Goals of the presentation


Challenges


Evolution of Student Success Definition


Community College 1.0 – Focus on Access


Community College 2.0 – Focus on Access and Completion


Community College 3.0 – Access and Completion and Post-College Success

　

　

　

TCTC Definition of Student Success- Completing a meaningful, high quality credential that leads to a family–sustaining wage.


Four Measures


Labor Market Outcomes


Learning


Equity


Completion and Transfer w/ Bachelor’s Degree

Cases for Going Beyond Completion - Video Review & Discussion:

How is each person making a case for moving beyond completion and considering post-college outcomes as a definition for student success?

All had a long-term trajectory


Inward-looking focus


Use analytics differently – look beyond completion, but how far? What data do we use to better understand and predict paths?


Symbiotic relationship with industry


Relationships w/


Students


Business and industry


4-year institutions


Definition is about student success, not the institution’s success.

What role do external partnerships play in achieving this definition of student success?

Important to align curriculum correctly and provide training for industry or readiness for a 4-year institution.


Partners must be active participants; not a "convenient" partner


Establish mutual priorities


Influencing becomes important

How does this definition of student success relate to improving economic mobility?

Contribute to the community


Community, student, family success are key


Prepared to be life-long learners; can adjust to new industries

What actions can you take to help shift our focus to this definition of student success?

Be intentional about the most important skills of critical thinking, problem solving, continued learning. Integrate into what we do.


Use the model as a lens


Need some metrics – something to evaluate against


Some data will be very hard to get


Measures will evolve


Once we have KPIs, focus will evolve


Can’t use as one-size fits all


As we update policies & procedure, consider if changes help the equity of our students.

　

　

　

　

　

Learning Literacies

Mary Orem and Som Linthicum discussed learning literacies. Mary gave an overview of the history of the Learning Commons. Som presented the learning literacies and noted the focus on perspectives on what instructors do and what they want students to do. The presentation included the following.

Review of the Major Themes


The Challenge – to unite the library and tutoring center


Learning Commons Mission Statement


Integrate/Co-habitate


Blended Approaches


Critical literacy


Tutoring and holistic learning


Balance between struggle and structure for a positive student experience


Motiving Spirit


Learn to learn


Construct meaning from content


Science of Learning


Learning Literacy


Meta-cognative Awareness and Critical Thinking


Growth mindset


Durable learning through mental doing


Active learning


Integrative learning


Mapped literacies to skillshops; and one-on-one


Internal partnerships


Interdependence of work is so important

Announcements

Tasheka Johnson- Noted that success check points have started.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

　

Recorded By: Anne Bryan

Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 11 @ 1:00, in RH 220

Academic Leadership Team Minutes 1/14/2020

Academic Leadership Team

January 14, 2020

1:00 pm

RH 220

Members Present: Gayle Arries, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Ahmad Chaudhry, Jenni Creamer, Galen DeHay, Mark Dougherty, Mandy Elmore, Adam Ghiloni, Pam Goodman, Linda Jameison, Tasheka Johnson, Scott Harvey, Glenn Hellenga, Gabe Hollingsworth, Tom Lawrence, Chris Marino, Bryan Manuel, Mary Orem, Sarah Shumpert, Luke VanWingerden

Members Absent: Tiffany Blackwell, Rick Cothran

Other Attendees:

Length of Meeting: 1 Hour

The minutes of the October 22, 2019 meeting were approved as presented.

With Robin McFall’s retirement, Pam Goodman is the new Faculty Senate President. Galen welcomed her to the group.

Online Teaching Credential

In compliance with SACSCOC, we have an online teaching credential. Our current provider, University of Wisconsin-Madison, has announced a significant price increase, so we are considering other options. A faculty workgroup that designs and updates online courses will evaluate options and provide recommendations for a possible new provider. No processes will change, and until the contract expires, we will continue to use the University of Wisconsin- Madison for this credential.

PolyCom

PolyCom classes were initially used to help community campuses have enough students to run their classes, and was driven by a math faculty member’s interest in and knowledge of the delivery method. The use of PolyCom has grown, and it is time to review some instructional issues. Since most of the PolyCom courses are taught in the Arts & Sciences Division, Tom Lawrence has pulled together a workgroup of the faculty that use the system to identify themes. Some themes to be addressed are academics, policy, governance, and scalability issues. In the future, the other deans, Registrar’s Office/Student Data Center, IT and others will be included in these discussions. Goals for the workgroup are to:

Gather information.


Improve planning and management of these classes.


Plan how to build this out.


Consider what issues we are trying to solve.

　

　

　

Discussion noted the following:

Be sure to consider the enrollment and academic strategies for the community campuses.


Keeping in mind that one small change can have a big impact, the technology and infrastructure will not change in the classrooms.


Call it synchronous virtual learning rather than a polycom class.


The workgroup will meet through April.

　

Equipment Expenditure Update

Galen noted that our current budget has $1.6 million for equipment. With spending of only 400,000 so far, he asked the members of the group to move their requests forward. There may be a significant amount of recurring money available in the state budget. The technical college system will most likely receive some of this money. In order for Tri-County to receive some of these funds, we need to demonstrate a need. Excess money in the equipment budget will not support a need.

Curriculum & Instruction Department Reorganization

Galen reported that the Curriculum & Instructional Support Office has been reorganized, with additional responsibilities for Sarah Shumpert. The reorganization will allow greater support for curriculum development, faculty development, and large scale projects that are unique to Academic Affairs. Faculty Development now reports to Sarah. Sarah will report to the VICE President for Academic Affairs. Sarah noted this office will now be called Academic Development. We are aligning this change with the budget cycle, and an announcement will go out soon.

Service Excellence – Internal Service

Galen distributed the TCTC ICARE Service Standards. Currently, we use those standards with students, but Galen reviewed them with a different focus. He asked the group to consider using those standards with each other. Based on information from the recent focus groups, Galen noted that this is an emergent issue, and one that leaders can address. He noted that anyone at any time depends on someone else, and without each other there is no Tri-County. He asked that we:

Approach each other in a spirit of kindness


Respect each other without exception – Do not have to agree.

He noted that while we have made progress in the transformative employee experience, it will take time and work to change perceptions and expectations. Instead of assumptions, he asked the group to ask questions and be curious.

Wonder why?


Wonder how?


Educate each other


Assume the best of people

　

　

ACTION ITEM:

The members of the group will review the ICARE Service Standards with their employees.

　

Announcements

Galen:

We have contracted with a company to do thermal imaging of the buildings to help identify maintenance and upkeep needs and to address the root cause of any issues.

Linda Jameison:

Working toward being able to enter a success plan for students in Starfish. Will allow academic appeal approvals to be documented in Starfish. A plan is in place for suspension status.

Mary Orem:

Tonya Walker will leave the college on January. Mary is recruiting for the learning strategist position.


Added some new data bases.


Appreciated the input on what to purchase this year.


SCILS Consortium is ending. We will join the state’s new library system.

Jenni Creamer:

Reported the spring 2020 enrollment numbers – FTE up by 1.64%; down by 19 individual students.

Tom Lawrence:

Thanked everyone for all the support for the Arts & Sciences student engagement event.

Ahmad Chaudhry:

Reported that the Fulp Hall renovations are underway. Bathrooms are first, then moving floor to floor.

Tasheka Johnson:

Announced that there are four advising-related faculty development training sessions this spring. She asked the members of the group to encourage people to attend. Sessions include:

Math Placement


Course Placement


Financial Aid


Starfish

Tasheka will send this information to Gayle Arries for the Weekly Edge.

Chris Marino:

Perkins 5 is progressing. Working with stakeholders and will meet to ask questions. Must be more insightful about how the funds help students.

PACE REC Board is conducting a regional needs assessment in conjunction with K-12.


How do we integrate all the boards?


We have good, appropriate questions that we can use outside of Perkins.


Must comply to the focus of career and technical education to get funding.


Value beyond the funding; worth having good answers to the questions.

　

Luke VanWingerden:

Katie Baggott will join the IT team on February 3. She is the IT Knowledge Manager and Trainer.


PLEAT Phase 1 has moved to the Easley Campus. Anderson and Oconee should be soon.


Considering next steps for eTC. Mark Dougherty is leading that team

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

　

Recorded By: Anne Bryan

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 28 @ 1:00, in RH 220A

Academic Leadership Team Minutes 10/22/2019

Academic Leadership Team

October 22, 2019

1:00 pm

RH 220

Members Present: Tiffany Blackwell, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Ahmad Chaudhry, Jenni Creamer, Rick Cothran, Galen DeHay, Mark Dougherty, Mandy Elmore, Adam Ghiloni, Pam Goodman, Linda Jameison, Scott Harvey, Gabe Hollingsworth, Tom Lawrence, Chris Marino, Bryan Manuel, Robin McFall, Mary Orem, Sarah Shumpert, Luke VanWingerden

Members Absent: Gayle Arries, Tasheka Johnson, Glenn Hellenga, Brian Swords

Other Attendees: Travis Durham, Trent Hulehan, Dorian McIntire, Ted Stokes

Length of Meeting: 2 hours

The minutes of the September 10, 2019 meeting were approved as presented.

Mark Dougherty introduced Travis Durham, the new Student Conduct and Advocacy Coordinator. Galen DeHay welcomed Robin McFall, the new Faculty Senate President, and Pam Goodman, the new Faculty Senate Vice President, to the group.

Academic Program Review

General Engineering Technology – Dorian McIntire

Key Measures:


Delivery


Student Paths


Graduate Opportunities


Assessment of Learning


Student Feed Back

What GET Is:


Complete STEM coverage


Not only automation


Analytical vs. Procedural


Design/maker oriented


Transfer program is housed in GET


Re-entry for students who opt out of a BS degree

Resources:


Faculty and Advisory Committee


Support services


Lab space and equipment

Outreach


Showcases are a great way to market the program

Pathway Flowchart


AAS degree


Work/career


BS degree

Learning:


Active


Projectbased


Public displays of completion


Integrative learning

SWOT Analysis:


Strength – Critical thinking


Weakness – Confusing name – Considering changing the name to Systems Engineering Technology


Opportunity – Re-entry students. Fills a unique niche


Threats – Confusion about the purpose


External influence to modify the curriculum

Course Timeline:


Growth peaked in 2015, then dropped


Trending up now

Strategic Plan


Initiatives help the program stay in front of the trends

Discussion and questions touched on the following.

Define the program so that it can be fed into. Work with advisors to make them aware of GET and to consider ways to refer returning/transfer back students to GET. Share the questions Dorian asks students with advisors to help them in that process.

The placement rate is high, so market to/recruit under-represented populations. Need strategies to do that.

As a maker/project based program, consider different tracks.

Programs have to follow the state program model, so changing the name to Systems Engineering Technology has some constraints.

　

Media Arts Production – John Woodson

Reviewed the program’s mission statement and stressed the goal to prepare graduates to create content where ever it is needed. He noted that more graduates are placing in non-traditional jobs.

　

Growth:


127% growth since Fall 2016


Name change may be the reason why


Raised the standards to a "C" in core courses and general education courses must be university transfer courses


Faculty is always training


MAP advisory committee


Online radio station


Student success coaches and academic resource specialist key in directing students to MAP program

Program Configuration:


Students earn the degree and certificates at the same time

Placement:


More in non-traditional positions


With growth, placement is harder. Opportunities are not as clear


In the exit class, teach students to not limit their searches

Facilities:


Very good


Hill Studio, Control Room, classrooms, study area


Needs:


Another full-time instructor


Adjuncts are very difficult to find


Eventually need to update and replace equipment

Three-year Plan:


Retention – work with high school career centers to identify students interested in MAP


Articulation – work with senior institutions to give students options.


Clemson is now accepting ARV courses for graphics and for Bridge students


Research the need for a graphics design degree

　

Discussion and questions touched on the following.

They work hard to recruit and retain minority students. Media needs diversity.

Hope to use the Anderson Institute of Technology more. Can hold software-based classes at AIT, but not studio work.

Need to recruit adult students (25/30s).

Classrooms are dedicated due to the nature of the program and the equipment, so there is ample room for growth.

　

　

　

Student Loan Default Rate Data

Galen gave some background on how the default rate of sister colleges can impact Tri-County.

Adam Ghiloni distributed and discussed the Default Cohort by Division/Major Grouping for 2016 and 2017.

Data is based on from where the student graduated and includes debt that came from other institutions. Also, students take debt from Tri-County to other institutions. All institutions are impacted by defaults.

Need to review data and ask program level/division questions.

Consider how to help students who aren’t eligible for Pell funding


They still have significant need


Middle class left out of the policy discussion


Re-direct funds in a more targeted way


Funding from the Foundation

We want to offer the most cost effective education. Do not want to get into a situation where we cannot grant aid. Currently our default rate is the lowest in the state and at the national average for all institutions.

To help students, we limit the amount of aid and create an individualized borrowing plan. Once they see the impact, they usually self-reduce/regulate and borrow less.

CALL TO ACTION:

These data are provided so that programs can ask questions about their default rates and consider ways to improve them. Resources are available to help programs with high default rates. Adam will be happy to meet with divisions/departments on this topic.

Due to time limitations, Announcements were delayed to the next meeting, and the meeting was adjourned.

Recorded By: Anne Bryan

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 14 @ 1:00, in RH 220A