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Pellissippi State Technical Community College

ANNUAL SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

for 2000-2001

September, 2001

The contents of this report present a summary of institutional progress in meeting annually established benchmarks toward enrollment projections and outcomes stated in Pellissippi State Technical Community College's Strategic Goals and Benchmarks 2000-2005.

ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS

Based on enrollment projections reported by Tennessee Board of Regents for 2000-2005, Pellissippi State's enrollment projections were 8,218 headcount and 5, 329 FTE for 2000. Actual enrollment for Fall, 2000, was 7,859 headcount and 5,078 FTE or approximately 95% of target.

STRATEGIC GOALS

Goal 1: Access

Enhance access to students and residents of its service delivery area through financial scholarship support, alternative methods of course delivery, and support services to all students as well as through geographically diverse sites. (TBR)

Providing accessibility through multiple avenues was accomplished during the 2000-2001 academic year. Success was demonstrated by a 35% increase in courses offered in our distant learning program. Ten web courses were added to the previous year's 28 courses; telecourses and two-way audio/video courses maintained offerings in 24 courses. In addition, student enrollment in distant learning courses increased to 2, 568, up 25% from the previous year.

The International Task Force began meeting in September of 2000 to discuss improvements to the recruitment of and services for international students. The task force has met once a month since that time. One recommendation of the international task force was to have a full time staff person to work with international admissions and international student services. A full time international coordinator was hired in December of 2000. A second recommendation of the task force was to create a link to the international program's web page from Pellissippi State's home page. This link was created in September of 2001. Finally, the task force recommended that specific professionally produced recruiting materials be produced for international students. The current view book has space devoted to international student recruitment and plans have been made to create supplemental materials to accompany application packets.

The task force expanded its mission during the 2000-2001 academic year to include studying and recommending changes in the areas of international programming on campus, study abroad for domestic students, and internationalization of the curriculum. A faculty survey was conducted to obtain information about current international elements in existing courses. The College hosted a visit with Dr. Barry Chambers, the Vice Provost of the American University of Bulgaria this past Spring.

Vision Volunteer Network (Volunteering is Sharing in Others Needs) matched students' volunteer interest with various community service organizations. A particular active component of this Network was the America Reads Challenge Program. Pellissippi State students who volunteer are placed in elementary schools to work as reading and/or math tutors. The number of tutors increased 29% from the previous year and the number of tutor hours increased 71% from the previous year. These outcomes are suggestive that PSTCC students are providing a needed service in the schools.

Continued success is reflected in the opening of our Magnolia Campus. While serving 424 students during the first full year, the campus operated without an increase in the operating budget.

Goal 2: Academic Excellence and Institutional Quality

Continually strive to improve the currency, design, delivery, support, and evaluation of instructional processes and outcomes that include knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired by students in credit and non-credit programs. (TBR)

The College's effort to improve Academic Excellence in an alternate format was accomplished with a 40% increase in sections over the previous year's credit offerings in distance learning. Web course sections showed the greatest increase over telecourses and two-way audio/video courses.

A schedule for academic program review was developed. The program review for Interior Design Technology (IDT) was completed. While a young program, the review acknowledged that IDT faculty members were well qualified and very dedicated to the goals of the program. In addition graduates of the IDT program have proven to be highly competent upon entering their profession.

Goal 3: Accountability

Manage fiscal, human, and physical resources to meet customer needs. (TBR)

The SACS Self-Study Committees have worked diligently in their preparation for the April 2002 visit. Appointments for committee members were made from recommendations received from committee chairs. Approximately 180 individuals, serving as researchers, have been involved in various self-study committees. Members representing full-time employees made up of faculty, administrators, support staff, part-time permanent employees, full-time temporary faculty, and student representatives. In addition, of the 352 part-time faculty, over 30 percent responded to a self-study survey managed by the Self-Study Steering Committee. Researchers evaluated their findings, processed those findings through the Steering Committee, and presented Recommendations, Suggestions, or Various Proposals (RSVP) to the President's Staff for consideration. Principal committees submitted rough draft reports. The Midpoint Progress Report of the 2000-2002 Self-Study, April, 2001 was completed and is available for review. Preparations for the on-site visit are continuing.

Guidelines for college-wide space planning was addressed through the TBR Space Utilization Report. In addition, a SACS Committee review of Administrative Processes indicated that "Pellissippi State allocates sufficient physical space to each College function to ensure the effective performance of that function." The College is making adequate use of space for classes and programs.

Seven internal audits were completed with five of those audits yielding no findings. A state audit has been scheduled for next year.

Goal 4: Workforce Development

Continue to solidify its reputation as a community leader and partner, providing a variety of training and services focusing on increased demands of workforce preparedness. (TBR)

The College expanded partnerships with business and industry in its service area. Partnerships increased to 77, a 10% gain over last year. Business and Community Services expanded support for economic and community development by providing a range of services and training programs.

Working with the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Pellissippi State has been successful in responding to workforce needs through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program. Housed at the Chamber, the WIA promotes a comprehensive accountability system to assess the effectiveness of state government providing employability and training services to adult and youths. Four employees are currently working with the program.

The CISCO Networking Academy began training in January 2000 and provided classes to 30 students. The following academic year, student enrollment increased to 62 for the full academic year. The program was designed to teach students through credit and non-credit courses how to design, build and maintain computer networks of local, national and global businesses.

Pellissippi State was successful in establishing a Small Business Development Center in the Empowerment Career Center at the Magnolia Avenue Campus. A Career Specialist coordinates Small Business programs relating to the Empowerment Zone.

Established through the Testing Center, a Prometric Center was been approved. The center provided computer-delivered certification and licensure tests for the trades and professions, workplace skills assessments, continuing education courses in a board array of disciplines, skill-specific training in selected fields, and distance learning opportunities.

Goal 5: Articulation

Continue to expand opportunities for students to participate in articulated programs with other colleges and universities. (TBR)

Articulation agreements developed with East Tennessee State University (ETSU) have increased from five to thirteen in the following areas: Computer Integrated Drafting and Design (CID), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Business and Technology Concentrations, Geography, Geology, & Geomatics, Interior Drafting Technology (IDT), Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) - Manufacturing and Quality Control Concentrations and Nursing. With the University of Tennessee, eighteen new articulation agreements were developed in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. In addition, program agreements have been expanded at Tusculum College in the Professional Studies program.

Goal 6: Employee Development

Enhance the environment that supports the employees of the College through effective human resource systems, including compensation, benefits, employee assistance, training, rewards, recognition, and professional development. (PSTCC)

Increasing the African-American representation among faculty and staff was more than adequately accomplished as reflected in Table 1. Geier Goals. The labor supply in our service area was resourceful. In addition, recruiting and advertising practices were enhanced.

Table 1. GEIER GOALS 2000-2001

Goals 2000 Achieved 2001

Administration 5.60% 11.0 % (+)

Faculty 4.00% 5.40% (+)

Professional 6.70% 11.0% (+)

Student 6.81% 6.8% (Met)

A compensation study was conducted to evaluate the competitiveness of Pellissippi State's pay compared to the external market, and to develop a compensation plan and salary structure. Managing available resources proved to be an interesting endeavor for the College; however, implementing the comprehensive compensation plan while operating within the 2000-2001 budget was a great achievement.

GOAL 7: FACILITIES

Plan, construct, operate, maintain, and renovate facilities to meet the educational and operational needs of the college community, to enhance the aesthetic and recreational aspects of college life, and to meet governmental and legislative standards. (PSTCC)

The process for developing the Campus Master Plan for facilities was initialized. Preliminary plans were designed and presented for reviewed by administrators, faculty, and staff. The review provided opportunity for input by those individuals who would actually work in the facilities. Final Master Plan presented in July, 2001.

Goal 8: TECHNOLOGY

Maintain distinction as a leading technical college and sustain efforts to educate students for the technology needed to compete in today's and tomorrow's workforce. (PSTCC)

While departments increased the implementation of distance learning courses with multiple sections, a steady growth in integrating information and technology skills occurred in English 1010, English 1020, and Speech 2100. Although the number of sessions increased by 1%, the number of student enrollment increased from 4,611 to 4,324, a 6% increase.

With the use of the Technology Access Fees (TAF) the College's Information Technology Plan is fully operational. The IT plan provides opportunities for enhancements in the instructional and administrative use of technology.

GOAL 9: COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

Continue to build on College's position as a strong community partner, providing cultural and social opportunities to the population of its service area. (PSTCC)

The Seasons of the Arts continues to showcase regional and national performances to the College's community. With a 29% increase from last year, 22 performances were presented. In addition, the number of participants attending the performances increased from 2,814 to 5,110 reflecting an 82% increase in attendance at the events. Private funding to support the Seasons of the Arts exceeded its one year goal by 42%.

Pellissippi State established "Community Outreach and Involvement" as the College extended a broader invitation to citizens of the Center City, East (urban and rural), Northeast, and South areas of Knoxville through the opening of the Magnolia Avenue Campus.

Community Outreach & Involvement worked intentionally to strengthen Pellissippi State's connection to the surrounding community, often working in partnership with others doing community-building work (schools, neighborhood organizations, Empowerment Zone ZACS, businesses, faith-based organizations, self-sufficiency programs, community agencies, regional initiatives, etc.).

In addition to campus tours, several public events were hosted by the College each semester to encourage public access. The "Community Room" at the Magnolia Avenue Campus was available for community group reservation on a space-available basis.

Table 2. Availability of Community Room 2000-2001

Term Total visitors to campus by groups/organizations Tours Individual meetings held Community meetings attended

Spring 2000 (facility acquired) 1,016  15 17 15

Summer 2000  738 6 6 11

Fall 2000

(first official term)

 1,158  9 10 25

Spring 2001

 950 8 11 30

Summer 2001 (summer school) 110  3 2 4

TOTALS 3,972 41 46 85

STATEWIDE PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS

Annual Report Card - 2000

Measure PSTCC TBR 2-YR Inst. Average

Licensure NA 87%

ob Placement 93% 90%

Student Satisfaction (very satisfied/satisfied) 84% 86%

Alumni Satisfaction (excellent/good) 94% 93%

Core Knowledge/Skills (a/above average) 53% 43%

Graduation/Transfer Rates 38% 35%

Program Accreditation (6) 100% (84) 100%

External Peer Review (4) 100% (51) 96%