Just as a distance runner is responsible for consistently training and maintaining a level of readiness to complete the long race, colleges must continually train and best themselves to maintain their exceptional readiness to support students as they cover the distance ― daunting hills and inclement weather included ― to completing their education.
Commitment to Completion
PTC Alum’s College Transfer Strategies Include Careful Pacing.
A college’s culture and policies can make or break a student’s on-time graduation prospects. In a two-year college environment where we are fortunate to witness 70 percent of the student body attending tuition-free, lack of tuition money should be a pretty weak reason for quitting at Piedmont Tech. But we all know that life happens, and it’s critical to explore institutional strategies for our students who face barriers that may be unrelated to money alone.
At Piedmont Tech, our investment in our students must mirror their investment in us. If they don’t finish what they start, that’s largely on us. For this reason, we biannually review and update our strategic plan and ensure that it takes into consideration empowerment of students to overcome or eliminate barriers to completion.
The 2019-21 Piedmont Technical College Strategic Plan addresses five broad tactical areas essential to college success: access to quality programs; effective academic and student support services, student and employee success; continuous improvement; community, workforce and economic development; and institutional sustainability and growth. The plan’s focus is on student success and student development from enrollment to graduation.
The plan begins with the goal of transforming lives by: creating and nurturing a culture of completion that helps students envision their goals; creating college-wide structures to better facilitate academic goal-setting and planning; refining services to ensure students have access to the support they need; offering a robust student-life program, and integrating student support and engagement opportunities into the learning experience.
The next component involves expanding student success by: developing a college-wide strategic enrollment plan; improving the effectiveness of recruiting and student intake; more clearly communicating the flexibility and return on investment available at PTC; and strengthening partnerships with regional employers, school districts and community groups to build a stronger pipeline from our programs into the workplace.
“At Piedmont Tech, our investment in our students must mirror their investment in us. If they don’t finish what they start, that’s largely on us.”
We believe in the pass-along value to students of supporting our people by promoting a collaborative culture for employees as well as substantial professional development opportunities. Strategies to accomplish that include: effectively leveraging HR processes to attract a diverse workforce; creating a Diversity Team to promote cultural understanding and sensitivity; offering comprehensive, value-added services and programs for employees; promoting holistic wellness across the work environment; providing strategically aligned professional development and learning opportunities for faculty and staff. The impact of a happy, empowered college workforce is immeasurable when it comes to innovating and inspiring in the classroom.
Another principle that anchors our strategic plan is our commitment to embracing continuous improvement. Using the most up-to-date data and assessment results available, our leadership works to make well-informed decisions regarding the continuous improvement of the college’s financial and physical resources. That includes implementing well-researched systems to make progression to completion as seamless and streamlined as possible and using proven lean tools to continually improve all operations. When our students see these improvements, like that water table on mile 6, help fortify them to the finish line.
By working with area employers and civic organizations, PTC upholds its commitment to strengthening communities, which helps ensure that jobs are available for the students who have been trained specifically for them and reinforces industry decisions to invest in our region, confident in its ready workforce.
Every footfall across the miles can take a toll on a runner’s body as well as her shoes. In that vein, we recognize that colleges need the upgrades and latest technology, not unlike a runner’s investment in the most innovative athletic footwear, to perform at their peak potential. When it comes to ensuring institutional sustainability, PTC exercises efficient and responsible stewardship of its financial and physical resources by: exploring all financial aid opportunities for students; maximizing acquisition and use of local, state and federal funding streams; and ensuring that our facilities and technology infrastructure remain modern, safe, efficient and up to date.