On August 22, I met with faculty to talk candidly about student success. I asked faculty for input related to the following four questions:
• What are the top three challenges you face as faculty members in trying to pursue student success?
• How do we best measure student performance?
• If you were on my board, what criteria would you use to measure my performance?
• How do you believe your performance should be measured?
I want to thank all of the faculty for participating in the faculty meeting. As a follow-up, a 90-day Acceleration Team will be created whose goal will be to gain a deeper understanding of the feedback received and to identify value-added actionable and sustainable strategies that maximize classroom time and directly impact student success. Classroom instruction is the most influential time we have with our students. We must have an unrelenting focus on maximizing every moment of instructional time. The Acceleration Team will research and make recommendations to address the following research questions: How can we (as an institution) accelerate student success through the classroom experience without adding additional work to faculty? The Acceleration Team’s outcomes will be presented to the Executive Committee and Council for Academic and Student Affairs (CASA). The Team will consist of faculty (teaching) from the BCAS, CCE, HHS, and IET divisions. The Student Services and Center for Teaching and Learning staff are a vital part of supporting our student success efforts in the classroom and will be involved as well. However, this will be a faculty driven Team. Faculty from each division will appoint one faculty member from their respective division (BCAS, CCE, HHS, and IET) by November 29. Additional faculty may be appointed at a later time to further represent the divisions.
Team members must exhibit a high level of maturity and critical thinking and must be able to exemplify the following principles:
• Be proactive versus reactive
• Focus on responsibility versus blame
• Listen first to understand before being understood
• Focus on growing circle of influence, not circle of concern
• Agree to disagree and seek win/win agreement
• Apply the abundance mentality versus scarcity
• Be innovative
• Build meaningful professional relationships
Team members will be asked to seek and gain understanding of their own perspectives, perspectives of the workplace, and the community of practice through specific readings, viewings, and other data points relevant to the discovery process. Team members will be required to develop and deliver powerful and concise presentations to solicit feedback regarding the proposed recommendations/outcomes. The Acceleration Team will begin meeting the first week of December and will meet at various times over the 90-day period which will conclude in late February or early March.
I look forward to working with the Team through the discovery process to learn what strategies and tools we can use to further our goal of Maximizing Student Success.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Student Success and Financial Goals
As you review our Student Success Rates graph, notice that we are making progress towards achieving our stretch goal of 70 percent fall to fall retention. Our new goal for next year is 62 percent for fall to fall. We all have a part in achieving this goal - from the employees that help beautify our campus, to the employees that provide student support services, to the faculty that engage our students every day in the classroom. We have achieved so much since our planning sessions in 2007-2008. If you look at your input from those sessions, you can really see the progress we have made. However, there is much to be done and I know we can achieve even greater things together.
I am excited to have Dr. Julie Phelps, mathematics instructor and project director for Achieve the Dream at Valencia College, to speak to us at our annual employee recognition luncheon on December 20. Dr. Phelps has studied ways to increase student engagement, learning, retention, and graduation among developmental education students. The December 20 meeting will begin at 10 a.m. for all faculty and staff and a special faculty session will be held after lunch. More information about her visit will be sent via e-mail. Please save the date – December 20!
I previously mentioned a financial goal too. As we create greater efficiencies and effectiveness, we should improve our financials too. We have set a goal of $1.5 million in addition to net assets by June 30, 2012. We have developed a financial model that projects the College will need $76 million over the next five years in order to meet our future programming needs, IT infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and phase I and II of the Campus Master Plan. We must continue to reevaluate our business processes and work smarter in order to achieve greater efficiencies to meet our financial goals.
Job placement rates are becoming increasingly important for us to use as a measure of success. For the past three years, we have scored below the system average. This year, we will evaluate our current tracking mechanisms and will set a goal next year.
Again, I am grateful for all your hard work and ask you to Be Real, Be Bold, and Be Better! Remember, organizations do nothing, plans do nothing, technology does nothing, people do everything!
I am excited to have Dr. Julie Phelps, mathematics instructor and project director for Achieve the Dream at Valencia College, to speak to us at our annual employee recognition luncheon on December 20. Dr. Phelps has studied ways to increase student engagement, learning, retention, and graduation among developmental education students. The December 20 meeting will begin at 10 a.m. for all faculty and staff and a special faculty session will be held after lunch. More information about her visit will be sent via e-mail. Please save the date – December 20!
I previously mentioned a financial goal too. As we create greater efficiencies and effectiveness, we should improve our financials too. We have set a goal of $1.5 million in addition to net assets by June 30, 2012. We have developed a financial model that projects the College will need $76 million over the next five years in order to meet our future programming needs, IT infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and phase I and II of the Campus Master Plan. We must continue to reevaluate our business processes and work smarter in order to achieve greater efficiencies to meet our financial goals.
Job placement rates are becoming increasingly important for us to use as a measure of success. For the past three years, we have scored below the system average. This year, we will evaluate our current tracking mechanisms and will set a goal next year.
Again, I am grateful for all your hard work and ask you to Be Real, Be Bold, and Be Better! Remember, organizations do nothing, plans do nothing, technology does nothing, people do everything!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Why Reward?
In my recent email about compensation enhancements, I stressed the delicate balance and positive implications of meeting both our student performance goals and our financial goals in order to be sustainable. I am now asking you to read and think about how and why there will be compensation enhancements in the future and, for that matter, why there is compensation at all.
I believe that successful academics and successful economics are inextricably linked. It’s like an ecosystem. At the risk of being seen as a cosmologic nut, consider the T’ai Chi symbol or Yin and Yang. Please give me the benefit of the doubt and read this excerpt on the subject from my dissertation:
YIN, YANG, AND HEGEL
The concept of Yin and Yang has its roots in Chinese cosmology and is represented by the familiar Yin/Yang symbol called the T’ai Chi. This symbol, pictured in Figure 1, shows the interrelatedness between the two parts. Yin is represented by the dark portion and Yang by the light. These are seen as equal opposites always in a cyclical balance, as one increases the other decreases. Within each is the seed of the other, represented by the light and dark dots, each found in the fullness of the other. This representation says that one part cannot exist without the other. The significance of this balance was stressed by many Chinese philosophers who believed this symbolism was played out in life, determining social and political harmony. Believed to represent the great forces of the universe, the T’ai Chi is seen as the perfect balance between opposites. Both are together in one circle revealing that both powers form one cycle. The relationship of Yin and Yang is not antagonistic. The two are together, separate, yet forming one circle revealing their mutual interdependence. This concept is also found in the dialectic worldview, where as any force reaches its extreme it becomes its opposite. The presumption being that any particular reality is formed by the interaction of two opposites. The result is not that of one force or the other but the synergistic and complimentary balance of both (Anonymous, 2002, Ehman, 1996, 168 Feng Shui Advisors, 2002, Microsoft, 2002).
As I am fond of saying, “bottom line,” we must meet our financial AND our student performance goals in order to be sustainable. That’s a simple statement with lots of detail in the background. Our primary role is in helping our students in increasing their economic and social value to society. When they COMPLETE with us, they must be able to do what it is that we say they can do and know what it is that we say they should know. Anything less is unacceptable. In order for them to complete, they either have to stay on course here or transfer somewhere else. As we have discussed, ad nauseam, some related factors we control and others we do not. We are, and have been, working on those factors we can control. If we do a good job and create greater efficiencies and effectiveness, we should, through strategic and tactical execution, improve our financial footings as well.
Now, most of us have to work in order to have housing, food, clothing, health insurance, future retirement, etc. Many of us could choose other occupations and possibly even make more money. If you have studied psychology, you are aware that there are intrinsic (i.e. personal fulfillment and joy) rewards and that there are extrinsic (i.e. financial) rewards. With most people, neither reward alone can sustain us. Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? There is a base of mostly extrinsic items but as we move up his pyramid, rewards become more intrinsic in nature but they still rely on the extrinsic.
Next year, the bar will be raised. I will share our future goals in my next blog post. The old EPMS/FPMS performance system that you love SO much (sarcasm intended) will change dramatically, I think, for the better. It will be less laborious and focus on value-added; more to come on that later.
I believe that successful academics and successful economics are inextricably linked. It’s like an ecosystem. At the risk of being seen as a cosmologic nut, consider the T’ai Chi symbol or Yin and Yang. Please give me the benefit of the doubt and read this excerpt on the subject from my dissertation:
 |
| Figure 1 - The T'ai Chi |
The concept of Yin and Yang has its roots in Chinese cosmology and is represented by the familiar Yin/Yang symbol called the T’ai Chi. This symbol, pictured in Figure 1, shows the interrelatedness between the two parts. Yin is represented by the dark portion and Yang by the light. These are seen as equal opposites always in a cyclical balance, as one increases the other decreases. Within each is the seed of the other, represented by the light and dark dots, each found in the fullness of the other. This representation says that one part cannot exist without the other. The significance of this balance was stressed by many Chinese philosophers who believed this symbolism was played out in life, determining social and political harmony. Believed to represent the great forces of the universe, the T’ai Chi is seen as the perfect balance between opposites. Both are together in one circle revealing that both powers form one cycle. The relationship of Yin and Yang is not antagonistic. The two are together, separate, yet forming one circle revealing their mutual interdependence. This concept is also found in the dialectic worldview, where as any force reaches its extreme it becomes its opposite. The presumption being that any particular reality is formed by the interaction of two opposites. The result is not that of one force or the other but the synergistic and complimentary balance of both (Anonymous, 2002, Ehman, 1996, 168 Feng Shui Advisors, 2002, Microsoft, 2002).
As I am fond of saying, “bottom line,” we must meet our financial AND our student performance goals in order to be sustainable. That’s a simple statement with lots of detail in the background. Our primary role is in helping our students in increasing their economic and social value to society. When they COMPLETE with us, they must be able to do what it is that we say they can do and know what it is that we say they should know. Anything less is unacceptable. In order for them to complete, they either have to stay on course here or transfer somewhere else. As we have discussed, ad nauseam, some related factors we control and others we do not. We are, and have been, working on those factors we can control. If we do a good job and create greater efficiencies and effectiveness, we should, through strategic and tactical execution, improve our financial footings as well.
Now, most of us have to work in order to have housing, food, clothing, health insurance, future retirement, etc. Many of us could choose other occupations and possibly even make more money. If you have studied psychology, you are aware that there are intrinsic (i.e. personal fulfillment and joy) rewards and that there are extrinsic (i.e. financial) rewards. With most people, neither reward alone can sustain us. Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs? There is a base of mostly extrinsic items but as we move up his pyramid, rewards become more intrinsic in nature but they still rely on the extrinsic.
Next year, the bar will be raised. I will share our future goals in my next blog post. The old EPMS/FPMS performance system that you love SO much (sarcasm intended) will change dramatically, I think, for the better. It will be less laborious and focus on value-added; more to come on that later.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The Apple of Technical/Community Colleges
In reading an article about Steve Jobs, I came across the following statement:
“The lessons we could learn from Steve Jobs aren’t all that remarkable. Many of them contain wisdom that we already know – we just don’t apply it. Why not? Is it that we lack courage? Or is it that we find it hard to believe that tenets so simple can prove so effective? Surely that’s the moral of the Apple story: there is genius in simplicity. But simple is hard.”
In my mind, what we are trying to achieve at York Tech is no different than what Jobs was trying to achieve at Apple. Providing people a product/experience like none other. Our efforts to improve the student success rates and the experience at York Technical College for students seems so simple yet so difficult! So, what can we learn from Steve Jobs’ achievements and those of his team?
1. Be Real
Steve Jobs was true to himself. He believed in his vision and the courage to change the world. Jobs and his creative team made Apple the most influential and valuable corporations in the world. And one way to see the measure of the value they created is by tracking the stock price of Apple from 1997, when Jobs returned to Apple, to its peak. We too should be true to ourselves and to others. As I have said previously, being real doesn’t mean telling people whatever is on your mind or being unprofessional, but rather, helping real people navigate through the real world. Real people care, are appropriately vulnerable, and separate themselves from the noise to focus on the goal. We should try to better understand students, fellow employees, and ourselves in an effort to help us all improve.
2. Be Bold
Steve Jobs dared to think differently. He pushed the envelope in product design and is now known as one of the greatest inventors of our time. He imagined the unimaginable and will inspire generations to come. What would happen if we perceived no limits to our success; if we were unafraid to step outside our box, daring to expand the horizon of possibility? Being bold means taking personal responsibility and being a value-added part of the whole. Thoughtfully stepping up to solve problems and exemplifying what we represent. We should take personal responsibility for adding value.
3. Be Better
Steve Jobs designed products better than they had to be. Even when he failed, he learned from those failures and tried again. If we never try, we’ll never get it right. In the words of Sir Ken Robinson, “Now, I don’t mean to say that being wrong is the same thing as being creative. But what we do know is that if you are not prepared to be wrong you will never come up with anything original.” Be Better means striving to continuously improve. The very core of our mission is about helping people learn, grow, and achieve. We desire that for our students and ourselves as we seek to better the community we serve. We must be better than we have to be!
Together, we can be the Apple of Technical/Community Colleges. Be Real, Be Bold, Be Better!
“The lessons we could learn from Steve Jobs aren’t all that remarkable. Many of them contain wisdom that we already know – we just don’t apply it. Why not? Is it that we lack courage? Or is it that we find it hard to believe that tenets so simple can prove so effective? Surely that’s the moral of the Apple story: there is genius in simplicity. But simple is hard.”
In my mind, what we are trying to achieve at York Tech is no different than what Jobs was trying to achieve at Apple. Providing people a product/experience like none other. Our efforts to improve the student success rates and the experience at York Technical College for students seems so simple yet so difficult! So, what can we learn from Steve Jobs’ achievements and those of his team?
1. Be Real
Steve Jobs was true to himself. He believed in his vision and the courage to change the world. Jobs and his creative team made Apple the most influential and valuable corporations in the world. And one way to see the measure of the value they created is by tracking the stock price of Apple from 1997, when Jobs returned to Apple, to its peak. We too should be true to ourselves and to others. As I have said previously, being real doesn’t mean telling people whatever is on your mind or being unprofessional, but rather, helping real people navigate through the real world. Real people care, are appropriately vulnerable, and separate themselves from the noise to focus on the goal. We should try to better understand students, fellow employees, and ourselves in an effort to help us all improve.
2. Be Bold
Steve Jobs dared to think differently. He pushed the envelope in product design and is now known as one of the greatest inventors of our time. He imagined the unimaginable and will inspire generations to come. What would happen if we perceived no limits to our success; if we were unafraid to step outside our box, daring to expand the horizon of possibility? Being bold means taking personal responsibility and being a value-added part of the whole. Thoughtfully stepping up to solve problems and exemplifying what we represent. We should take personal responsibility for adding value.
3. Be Better
Steve Jobs designed products better than they had to be. Even when he failed, he learned from those failures and tried again. If we never try, we’ll never get it right. In the words of Sir Ken Robinson, “Now, I don’t mean to say that being wrong is the same thing as being creative. But what we do know is that if you are not prepared to be wrong you will never come up with anything original.” Be Better means striving to continuously improve. The very core of our mission is about helping people learn, grow, and achieve. We desire that for our students and ourselves as we seek to better the community we serve. We must be better than we have to be!
Together, we can be the Apple of Technical/Community Colleges. Be Real, Be Bold, Be Better!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Welcome New Employees
Several new employees have joined the York Tech family in the past few months. Below are just a few of the new faces on campus.
Leah is originally from central Florida and has lived in Charlotte for the past ten years. She received her B.S. in Finance and an M.S. in Mathematics from UNC Charlotte. Prior to graduate school, Leah worked as a financial analyst for a healthcare consulting firm. Leah replaces Nasser Navidar.
A former honor graduate of York Technical College, Andie has helped tutor our OST/AOT classes and assisted in the keyboarding and open labs. Andie is a Who’s Who for Two-Year Colleges and a Governor’s Career Award recipient. Before joining the Corporate and Continuing Education division, Andie worked part-time in the Student Support Services department. Andrea replaces Levonne McCullough who retired earlier this year.
Welcome to York Tech – Leah, Jennifer, and Andie!
 |
Leah Hollingsworth Mathematics Instructor |
Jennifer has a B.S. in Biology from Winthrop University and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of South Carolina. She spent the last four years working in Molecular Diagnostic laboratories including the Greenwood Genetic Center (Greenwood, SC) and the Molecular Pathology Laboratory within Carolinas Healthcare System (Charlotte, NC). Jennifer replaces Bruce Romein who retired earlier this year.
 |
| Jennifer Morgan Biology Instructor |
 |
| Andrea (Andie) Wray Administrative Specialist, Corporate and Continuing Education |
Welcome to York Tech – Leah, Jennifer, and Andie!
More new employee announcements coming soon….
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
New Outdoor Collaborative Learning Space
Next week we will begin work on a new outdoor collaborative learning space. The area between A-building and B-building will transform into a beautifully landscaped area for faculty, staff, and students to gather. The inviting, informal space will support our efforts to promote collaboration not only inside the classroom but outside as well. Thanks to employee input from the 2007 listening sessions and Campus Master Plan visioning sessions, we are making this concept a reality.
A portion of the parking lot between the Administration Building and A-building will be closed off to allow for the construction contractor to bring in equipment and materials. Handicap parking spaces will still be available and appropriate ramps will be added in the interim. Pedestrian traffic will be routed around the construction area. Our goal is to have construction completed by early December.
Thank you for your understanding as we continue our efforts to enhance the campus environment.
A portion of the parking lot between the Administration Building and A-building will be closed off to allow for the construction contractor to bring in equipment and materials. Handicap parking spaces will still be available and appropriate ramps will be added in the interim. Pedestrian traffic will be routed around the construction area. Our goal is to have construction completed by early December.
Thank you for your understanding as we continue our efforts to enhance the campus environment.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Welcome New Employees
I’d like to introduce to you three new employees to the York Tech family.
Teresa Faile joined the College on June 1 as an Administrative Assistant in the Center for Teaching and Learning. Teresa is a native of Lancaster and has lived in Rock Hill for the past 26 years. She previously worked at Premier, Inc. in Charlotte, NC for 18 years. Teresa is a graduate of York Technical College, where she received an Associate Degree in Computer Programming and an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science. Teresa also received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Management from Limestone College.
Brittany Burton, Employment Coordinator in Human Resources, joined the York Tech family on July 1. Brittany is a native of Columbia, SC. Her previous work experience includes the SC Department of Health and Human Services as a Program Assistant and the SC Department of Probation, Pardon, and Parole Services as a Training Coordinator in Human Resources Development. She received a Bachelors in Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Francis Marion University and an Master of Arts in Conflict Management from Columbia College.
Bree Robinson, Program Coordinator/Loan Counselor in Financial Aid, joined the College on July 1. Bree is a native of Darlington, SC. She previously worked as a Financial Aid Counselor at Central Carolina Technical College. Bree received a Bachelor of Arts from South Carolina State University and a Master of Arts from Webster University.
Welcome to York Tech – Teresa, Brittany, and Bree!
Welcome to York Tech – Teresa, Brittany, and Bree!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
New Commission Member
Ms. Douglass is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is also a member of the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Task Force, Rock Hill Economic Development Committee Quality of Life Task Force, and serves on the Board of Directors Executive Committee for the Community Blood Centers of the Carolinas. She is a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Rock Hill.
Ms. Douglass replaces Ms. Carolyn Carpenter, who retired after 20 years of service to the College.
The other nine governing board seats are held by:
Mr. Charles Z. Robinson (Chair)
Human Resources Consultant, Prosperity Resources, LLC
Ms. Geri H. Rucker (Vice-Chair)
Regional Vice President, Founders Federal Credit Union
Mr. E. Paul Basha
President & CEO, York Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Mr. James “Jim” C. Hardin, III
Attorney at Law, James C. Hardin III, PLLC
Dr. A. Douglas “Doug” Marion
Ophthalmologist, Eye Associates of Chester, PA
Mr. Robert “Bobby” B. Meek
Owner, Century 21 Palmetto Homes Realty
Mr. Harry M. Miller
Executive Vice President for Planning and Development, Comporium Communications
Mr. Jeffrey C. Sigmon
President, JEFCO Communications
Mr. Bruce “Tony” A. Vaughan
Retiree
Thursday, July 14, 2011
July Summer Camps
The campus is buzzing with activity this month as several of our summer camps get underway. The following three grant-funded camps introduce participants to the College and to potential careers.
The Digital Design Camp, funded by the US Department of Education and hosted by the TRiO Talent Search program, will include 45 middle and high school students. The camp focuses on careers in digital technology and is scheduled for July 18 – 22. Nikita Baxter may be contacted for more information.
The Workforce Development Summer Camp, funded by the J. Marion Sims Foundation, will include approximately 40 participants from YouthBuild and Community Powerhouse in Lancaster County. Participants will explore careers in both credit and non-credit programs. The camp dates are July 11, 13, 14, 18, 20, and 21. Kiwanna Brackett may be contacted for more information.
The Summer Institute & Workshop, funded by the National Science Foundation – National Network of Pulp and Paper Technology Training, will include rising high school freshman through college students. High school and college faculty are invited to participate. Abitibi Bowater will also participate in this important summer workshop. The camp focuses on careers in the Pulp and Paper field and is scheduled for July 21 – 22. John McGill and George Russell may be contacted for more information.
I am very grateful to all who have planned these wonderful summer camps!
The Digital Design Camp, funded by the US Department of Education and hosted by the TRiO Talent Search program, will include 45 middle and high school students. The camp focuses on careers in digital technology and is scheduled for July 18 – 22. Nikita Baxter may be contacted for more information.
The Workforce Development Summer Camp, funded by the J. Marion Sims Foundation, will include approximately 40 participants from YouthBuild and Community Powerhouse in Lancaster County. Participants will explore careers in both credit and non-credit programs. The camp dates are July 11, 13, 14, 18, 20, and 21. Kiwanna Brackett may be contacted for more information.
The Summer Institute & Workshop, funded by the National Science Foundation – National Network of Pulp and Paper Technology Training, will include rising high school freshman through college students. High school and college faculty are invited to participate. Abitibi Bowater will also participate in this important summer workshop. The camp focuses on careers in the Pulp and Paper field and is scheduled for July 21 – 22. John McGill and George Russell may be contacted for more information.
I am very grateful to all who have planned these wonderful summer camps!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
New Vice President for College Advancement
Melanie is a 2007 graduate of Leadership North Carolina, where she served as class leader. In September 2010, she was named Young Professional of the Year by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Melanie is a graduate of Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia where she received a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics. She also earned a master's degree in educational leadership from Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee. Melanie is a native of Huntsville, Alabama.
We look forward to having her on the team!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Board Approves Tuition Increase
Occasionally, I come to you with news that is more of a necessity than a cause for celebration. I recognize that this is one of those times. At our most recent Commission meeting, the Board voted to approve a tuition increase of $5.50 per credit hour (or 3.93%). Also, the Commission approved the removal of the tuition cap to allow the College to begin charging tuition and fees for all credit hours taken, beginning fall 2011. Other fees will remain the same for the coming academic year.
The decision to increase tuition was a difficult one. We take our students financial burdens very seriously. The need for change was driven by decreases in State support resulting from changes to the State’s formula for allocating funding and the requirement that the College’s tuition stay above the minimum value established by the State. The College believes that this increase represents a reasonable balance of its financial needs and those of its students.
Please see the related press release for more information.
The decision to increase tuition was a difficult one. We take our students financial burdens very seriously. The need for change was driven by decreases in State support resulting from changes to the State’s formula for allocating funding and the requirement that the College’s tuition stay above the minimum value established by the State. The College believes that this increase represents a reasonable balance of its financial needs and those of its students.
Please see the related press release for more information.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Graduates Pass National Exams!
Thirteen of our dental hygiene students graduated on May 10 and recently took the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. I’m happy to report that all of the students (100%) passed their exam on their first attempt. In addition, 92 percent of the students passed the SC clinical exam (only one student missed by just .75 points). The one student plans to retake the exam in the near future. I greatly appreciate the hard work of Edna Martin, Wanda Hayes, Pam Sherer, Dr. Charles Crosby, and Ginny West for preparing the students for the licensure exams.
In addition, our Radiologic Technologists graduates sat for the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) certification exam within five days of graduation and all passed. This cohort scored the highest mean average score in at least a decade, possibly ever, of 91.2 out of 100. At the present time, York Technical College's Radiologic Technology program results for 2011 place us in the 92nd percentile of programs nationally (and a few internationally). This ranking is not just for two-year Associate degree programs but all Radiography program graduates including four-year Bachelor degree graduates in Radiologic Sciences sitting for this exam. Congratulations Michele Wells and Kim Ford!
In many cases, learning outcomes can be challenging to measure and difficult to adjust our strategies for success. In other fields, such as this, we see the direct results of a focus on those outcomes and the great job faculty do to help students achieve. Thank you all for your dedication to our students’ success!
In addition, our Radiologic Technologists graduates sat for the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) certification exam within five days of graduation and all passed. This cohort scored the highest mean average score in at least a decade, possibly ever, of 91.2 out of 100. At the present time, York Technical College's Radiologic Technology program results for 2011 place us in the 92nd percentile of programs nationally (and a few internationally). This ranking is not just for two-year Associate degree programs but all Radiography program graduates including four-year Bachelor degree graduates in Radiologic Sciences sitting for this exam. Congratulations Michele Wells and Kim Ford!
In many cases, learning outcomes can be challenging to measure and difficult to adjust our strategies for success. In other fields, such as this, we see the direct results of a focus on those outcomes and the great job faculty do to help students achieve. Thank you all for your dedication to our students’ success!
Friday, May 13, 2011
SACS Visit
As part of our Fifth-Year Interim Report with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS COC), new off-campus sites that have been reported to SACS COC since our last reaffirmation will be visited next week. A committee of six peer evaluators from community colleges in the southeast will visit Rock Hill High, Northwestern, South Pointe, Lancaster, and York Comprehensive to validate that the resources and services offered through our dual-enrollment offerings are adequate. The Committee arrives on Monday, May 16 and will begin their high school tours on Tuesday morning. The visits at the high schools will entail interviews with the high school dual-enrollment coordinator, media specialists, faculty, and students. On Tuesday afternoon, they will visit our campus to interview additional personnel. If you see them touring our campus, please make them feel welcome. If you have questions about the visit, please contact our Accreditation Liaison, Jacquelyn Nesbitt (jnesbitt@yorktech.edu).
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
One Week to the 2011 Graduation!
Next week, 404 students will participate in the York Technical College Commencement. Michael Brezillac will represent the 2011 graduating class by providing a welcome at the ceremony. Recipients of the President’s Award for Students, being recognized during the ceremony, include:
Michael Thomas Brezillac, Arts and Sciences
Jodi Lynn Turner, Business and Computer Technology
Olga Krasnov, Health and Human Services
Richard Thomas Childers, Industrial and Engineering Technologies
In addition, the following nominees for the President’s Award for Instructional Excellence will be recognized:
John McGill, Arts and Sciences
Gwen Wilson, Business and Computer Technology
Sandra Farley, Health and Human Services
Mike Zavinski, Industrial and Engineering Technologies
I urge all of you to make plans to attend the ceremony on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. at the Winthrop Coliseum. Watching our students walk across the stage is our greatest reward; knowing that we played a part in helping them achieve their goal.
Michael Thomas Brezillac, Arts and Sciences
Jodi Lynn Turner, Business and Computer Technology
Olga Krasnov, Health and Human Services
Richard Thomas Childers, Industrial and Engineering Technologies
In addition, the following nominees for the President’s Award for Instructional Excellence will be recognized:
John McGill, Arts and Sciences
Gwen Wilson, Business and Computer Technology
Sandra Farley, Health and Human Services
Mike Zavinski, Industrial and Engineering Technologies
I urge all of you to make plans to attend the ceremony on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. at the Winthrop Coliseum. Watching our students walk across the stage is our greatest reward; knowing that we played a part in helping them achieve their goal.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Students Test Their Skills
Susan Sherlock is to be commended for her initiative and innovation to engage students. Many thanks to Ginger Dewey, Frank Caldwell, Lee Craig, David LeGrande, Nora Othman, Cree Stout and Tom Dickerson for volunteering at the event.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Welding Program Receives AWS SENSE Certification
Our next step is to become an AWS Accredited Testing Facility. This will allow us to test our students to American Welding Society (AWS) criteria and certify the student upon successful completion of the exam. The student could then market themselves as an AWS Certified Welder.
I appreciate the hard work of Rich Santoro (pictured right), Hezekiah Barnette (pictured left), and Mike Brumbach for receiving these designations for the College’s welding program.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
JRCERT ACCREDITATION
Congratulations to our Radiologic Technology program on the continuation of accreditation granted by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for the accreditation of traditional and distance delivery educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. The program was evaluated according to the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography. The program received full accreditation in 2007, with no recommendations, for the maximum term of eight years. The recent site visit was an interim, self-study report, for which they again received no recommendations. Radiologic Technology is scheduled for a full study again in 2015.
I’m proud of the efforts displayed by our faculty, in particular Michele Wells and Kim Ford, to provide a quality educational program for our students. Thank you for all you do.
I’m proud of the efforts displayed by our faculty, in particular Michele Wells and Kim Ford, to provide a quality educational program for our students. Thank you for all you do.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Parking Lot A Expansion
Soon, you will begin to hear the sound of backhoes and cement trucks. This is the exciting and long-anticipated sound of parking expansion! It is no secret that our campus has had a deficit in parking space. With overflow parking housed at the Hood Center, having students, faculty and staff shuttled back and forth during peak times has not been an easy process. I want to thank you all for your cooperation and patience. I’m happy to say, the wait is almost over!
J.E. Dunn Construction Company will begin work on Monday morning, April 4. We anticipate the project will be substantially complete on July 3, with final completion scheduled for August 2, just in time for our fall 2011 students.
The new parking lot, containing an additional 165 parking spaces, will be located on the south end of the main campus, where the Lineworker Program was formerly located. The Lineworker Program has been moved to the Heavy Equipment Operations site in Chester County. I am proud of our College personnel and the students who pitched in to make this move happen smoothly and in less than four weeks. That was quite an accomplishment.
As can be expected with any construction project, traffic and pedestrian flow may need to be rerouted at various times. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience. As we begin new construction projects in the future, some parking will be used for those facilities. The goal will be to plan for additional parking as we build.
J.E. Dunn Construction Company will begin work on Monday morning, April 4. We anticipate the project will be substantially complete on July 3, with final completion scheduled for August 2, just in time for our fall 2011 students.
The new parking lot, containing an additional 165 parking spaces, will be located on the south end of the main campus, where the Lineworker Program was formerly located. The Lineworker Program has been moved to the Heavy Equipment Operations site in Chester County. I am proud of our College personnel and the students who pitched in to make this move happen smoothly and in less than four weeks. That was quite an accomplishment.
As can be expected with any construction project, traffic and pedestrian flow may need to be rerouted at various times. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience. As we begin new construction projects in the future, some parking will be used for those facilities. The goal will be to plan for additional parking as we build.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
YTC SENSE 2010 Findings
I am very pleased to share with you the results of our latest administration of the Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE). This past fall semester was the second time we administered the survey and the results are very encouraging. The SENSE items focus on entering students’ experiences during the first three weeks of their first semester.
The SENSE data are organized around six benchmarks: Early Connections, High Expectations/Aspirations, Clear Academic Plan, Effective Track to Readiness, Engaged Learning, and Academic/Student Support. Each benchmark is then comprised of individual survey items related to that benchmark. I am encouraged that York Tech students rated the College higher than its peer colleges for all six benchmarks. York Tech benchmark scores ranged from a high of 63.2 to 50.8, where the average score for all participating colleges is 50.0. We also increased our scores for four of the six benchmarks from last year.
In 2010, York Tech students reported higher levels of engagement from last year based on their responses to many of the individual survey items. Although two years of data is not enough to consider a trend, the data seem to suggest that some of our recent changes in institutional policies and practices may indeed be positively influencing our students’ experiences, and hopefully, their eventual success. For example, the percentage of students who reported never skipping a class increased almost seven percent. It seems reasonable to conclude that this may be related to our change in attendance policy. We set higher expectations of our students by reducing the allowable number of absences, and the students have responded in a positive manner.
We need to use some caution, however, in interpreting changes from one year to another. This is especially true given all of the policy and practice changes we have implemented specific to the ‘front door’ of the College. Nonetheless, I encourage you to review the College’s benchmark scores and related survey items and to discuss their possible meanings with your peers and even with your own students.
You will hear more about the data and related initiatives as we continue our SENSE Benchmark Fridays this spring semester. The next session deals with the Effective Track to Readiness benchmark and is scheduled for Friday, March 18, 2011. You will hear more from the Professional Development Committee (PDC) about this very soon.
In the meantime, please review the key findings of the 2010 SENSE report for York Tech and other information about SENSE at www.ccsse.org/sense.
The SENSE data are organized around six benchmarks: Early Connections, High Expectations/Aspirations, Clear Academic Plan, Effective Track to Readiness, Engaged Learning, and Academic/Student Support. Each benchmark is then comprised of individual survey items related to that benchmark. I am encouraged that York Tech students rated the College higher than its peer colleges for all six benchmarks. York Tech benchmark scores ranged from a high of 63.2 to 50.8, where the average score for all participating colleges is 50.0. We also increased our scores for four of the six benchmarks from last year.
In 2010, York Tech students reported higher levels of engagement from last year based on their responses to many of the individual survey items. Although two years of data is not enough to consider a trend, the data seem to suggest that some of our recent changes in institutional policies and practices may indeed be positively influencing our students’ experiences, and hopefully, their eventual success. For example, the percentage of students who reported never skipping a class increased almost seven percent. It seems reasonable to conclude that this may be related to our change in attendance policy. We set higher expectations of our students by reducing the allowable number of absences, and the students have responded in a positive manner.
We need to use some caution, however, in interpreting changes from one year to another. This is especially true given all of the policy and practice changes we have implemented specific to the ‘front door’ of the College. Nonetheless, I encourage you to review the College’s benchmark scores and related survey items and to discuss their possible meanings with your peers and even with your own students.
You will hear more about the data and related initiatives as we continue our SENSE Benchmark Fridays this spring semester. The next session deals with the Effective Track to Readiness benchmark and is scheduled for Friday, March 18, 2011. You will hear more from the Professional Development Committee (PDC) about this very soon.
In the meantime, please review the key findings of the 2010 SENSE report for York Tech and other information about SENSE at www.ccsse.org/sense.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Employee Recognition
The annual South Carolina Technical Education Association (SCTEA) Conference was held February 17-19 in Myrtle Beach. The following York Technical College employees were recognized recipients of the Educator of the Year award.
Faculty: Jane Fleischer
Staff: Candee Brakefield
Faculty: Jane Fleischer
Each recipient received a plaque and a $100 check. Congratulations to each of you!
I also want to thank Warren Cook, Teresa Smith, Vicki Stewart, and Ginger Dewey for serving on the SCTEA Executive Board this year and representing York Technical College so well! Your hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Governor Haley Supports SC Technical Colleges
I had the pleasure of meeting with Governor Haley yesterday along with the other SC Technical College Presidents, SC Technical College System President Dr. Darrel Staat, and SC Commission on Higher Education Chairman Ken Wingate. I was encouraged by her understanding of what we do, her support of the technical college system, and the changes that are needed to improve the educational opportunities for the citizens of South Carolina. Click on the following link to view a video of the press conference that was held after the meeting: http://scbusinessblog.com/?p=263
Friday, February 4, 2011
Students Speak
Yesterday, I dropped by Heather Eddy's BIO 210 class. After I introduced myself, many of the students began bragging about their experiences at York Tech. Please take a moment to watch the video I recorded.
The comments by these students are yet another testament to the great work we do to support students!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Staff Recognition
Charlene Goodson said it best, “people are so quick to complain when they have a problem, but most don’t take the time to write a praise about someone.” That statement seems all too true. We tend to hear from students when they are unhappy with a person or process, but rarely do they take the time to commend someone. However, Charlene Goodson has done just that. The following letter written by Ms. Goodson praises Yolanda Atkinson Feaster, WIA Case Manager, for her excellent service and words of encouragement. What I found most profound in her letter was the following:
“She made it clear she was happy to help me because my success in my courses was what mattered most. I could tell these weren’t empty words, but that she really cared about my success as a student, which has meant so much to me.”
Thank you, Yolanda, for your outstanding work with our students!
“She made it clear she was happy to help me because my success in my courses was what mattered most. I could tell these weren’t empty words, but that she really cared about my success as a student, which has meant so much to me.”
Thank you, Yolanda, for your outstanding work with our students!I realize that good things happen all the time that no one may ever know about. I want to say thank you for each and every effort you make to be better than we have to be!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)