Academic Leadership Team
September 22, 2020
1:30 pm
Via Zoom
Members Present: Gayle Arries, Tiffany Blackwell, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Ahmad Chaudhry, Jenni Creamer, Mark Dougherty, Mandy Elmore, Adam Ghiloni, Melinda Gillespie, Scott Harvey, Glenn Hellenga, Gabe Hollingsworth, Jenn Hulehan, Linda Jameison, Tom Lawrence, Bryan Manuel, Chris Marino, Jeremy McCracken, Mary Orem, Sarah Shumpert, Luke VanWingerden, Tasheka Wright
Members Absent: Rick Cothran, Marci Leake
Other Attendees: Ken Kopera, Richard Macbeth, Catherine Watt
Length of Meeting: 1.5 hours
Linda Jameison and Ahmad Chaudhry welcomed the group. Chris Marino introduced Catherine Watt, the new Director of Compliance. Adam Ghiloni introduced Melanie Gillespie, the new Financial Aid Director.
Project Management Process – Follow Up – Ken Kopera & Richard Macbeth
Ken followed up on the September 8 project management process presentation and asked the members of the group if they had any questions. It was noted that reducing the amount of paperwork and defining whether or not a project charter is required based on the scope of an employee’s work would be helpful. Ken appreciated the input and reported that the workgroup will continue to revise the process.
Fall Coordination Team Updates & Blackboard Resources – Sarah Shumpert
Sarah provided a summary of the breadth and scope of what the teams have done and an overview of the content in the Blackboard course. She noted the four subteams and each team’s priority. Much work was done in a short time. Planning is continuing using the fall assessment for spring considerations.
Sarah also noted the Faculty Resources Course in Blackboard. It is a repository for different training events, the COVID19 resources from the work of the subteams, and COVID19 college updates. Sarah thanked everyone involved in creating this important resource.
Pulse Check Notes Discussion - Summary of Actions Taken – Jenni Creamer
Jenni presented an Enrollment Update. While final enrollment numbers are not due to the System Office until October 15, using operational date, the update provided an overview of fall enrollment trends. Tri-County’s enrollment was down between 9% - 10%. The System Office reported anywhere from a 40% decrease to flat. Enrollment for most colleges reported a 5% - 7% decrease in enrollment. Jenni’s presentation included the following:
· Fall 2020 – College Wide
· Enrollment Trends: Academic Divisions
o Health Education had no decline
o EIT had the highest decline
· Fall Enrollment Trends: Race & Ethnicity
o Decrease in Black and Hispanic populations
o Both populations had a decrease greater than other populations or the college as a whole
o Focused recruitment of these students in the future
· Fall Enrollment Trends: Age
o 19 and under is the largest population
o 40 – 49 had the greatest decline
o 35 – 39 was consistent
· Fall Enrollment Trends: Campus Locations
o Anderson and Easley are down
o Oconee is steady with mostly dual enrollment students
· Our Path Forward: Spring 21 and Beyond
o Unique efforts for spring
o Reviewed assumptions and action plans
§ Communities of color need targeted outreach and support – three-pronged approach
§ Discussions with parents of students who took the semester off; need to reach out to try to assist. Jackie Blakley will stay in touch with these parents.
Executive Staff Strategic Direction - Overview of Work – Linda Jameison
Linda recognized that the college is working hard on spring semester, and that many employees are at capacity, but she also noted the need for the college to move forward. The college will address four strategic directions during the next 10-year plan. She gave an update on considerations for the next one to three years.
· Optimizing Employees’ Potential
o Develop High Performing Teams
§ Broaden competency and expertise
§ Survey on competencies
· Enhancing Partnerships
o Implement CNC employer collaborative
§ Leverage the needs of small businesses
§ Move from service provider to solutions provider
o System Resilience
§ Support for collaborate effort
· Expanding Capabilities - Overlap and package
o Ad Hoc Skills Academy
§ Marry up what we have with need
§ No new certificates
§ Can support business and individuals
§ Eliminate barrier of jargon; promote efficiency
· Fostering Learning and Collaboration by Integrating the Student Experience
o Define
o Common language and expectations for every point of the student life cycle
When PAC resumes, it will be able to zero in on the 2020 – 2030 plan.
Ahmad noted that directions three and four overlap. We are already working on direction four with an EIT cohort with Anderson County, and various pilots that are under way.
At this point the minutes of the September 8, 2020 meeting were presented. Mandy Elmore motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Luke VanWingerden seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Area Updates – All
Mary Orem noted that scheduling tutoring appointments through Starfish was causing too much confusion. Now, these appointments are scheduled by phone.
Tasheka Wright noted that LC 101 will start next week and be held via Zoom. The October Advising session will take place via Zoom as well, and will be a question and answer format.
Chris Marino reported that his team is preparing for the five-year SACS report and is getting a handle on institutional and program accreditation. He noted that the fall student survey will take place during the second week of October. Chris also noted that Catherine Watt will be the faculty credentialing contact in his office.
Melanie Gillespie reported that she is learning Banner and adapting to it. She is still meeting people and learning how to work together. She is excited to be here and is looking forward to working with everyone.
Jackie Blakley noted the upcoming drop-in for the Business & Public Services students.
Ahmad Chaudhry noted a robotics/surgery pilot with the Engineering & Industrial Technology division.
Gabe Hollingsworth reported that an all student call campaign is underway. The plan is to complete the campaign prior to the opening of advising. He thanked everyone for the work. He announced that Ann Turner has joined TC Central as a part-time employee.
Glenn Hellenga noted that students tend to appreciate the phone call campaign, and often just want someone to listen.
Gayle Arries announced a media press campaign to gather information about students’ communication preferences. The goal is that 400 students complete a 100-question survey to gather this information. There are some student incentives to participate, and she asked that faculty and staff mention this to students. Gayle also noted that marketing strategies are moving along, and she and Tiffany Blackwell have a planning retreat soon.
Jeremy McCracken announced that Tonia Faulling is the Faculty Senate Vice President, so she will join the group. Som Linthicum is the Faculty Senate Secretary.
Tom Lawrence reported that the open administrative assistant position in the Arts & Sciences division has been posted. Also, the academic advisor for his division will be away for about three weeks. He noted that most of the Bridge to Clemson students are in hybrid classes, but some are experiencing anxiety and have requested preferential changes to delivery modes. For the most part, these students are being referred to their instructors to help work through any issues.
Luke VanWingerden announced that all full-time employees now have laptops; some forms are rolling out via Dynamic Forms; and new call ques, with streamlined approaches to logic, are rolling out.
Scott Harvey noted that Session B grades are due on October 1. Advising begins on October 5, so he asked the group to be sure that courses are keyed in by September 23. Scott reported that Degree Works training has been delayed, and updates will be sent via e-mail. Catalog work will begin soon, with edits in November and December. Sarah Shumpert noted that her office has been working consistently on curriculum needs, so there should not be many changes.
Bryan Manuel reported that hiring a youth apprenticeship coordinator is moving along. While it is part of Apprenticeship Carolina, that position will be housed at Tri-County. He is working on a one- page information piece about youth apprenticeship that should be ready soon. He wants to leverage teams and ownership of the program and will keep everyone in the loop.
With no remaining agenda items, the meeting was adjourned.
Recorded By: Anne Bryan
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 13 @ 1:00, via Zoom
