Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College SACSCOC Website

• March 15, 2024 Meeting Minutes
• May 07, 2024 Meeting Minutes
• October 27, 2024 QEP Committee Update

1. Please rank the following topics in terms of your preference for the College's next QEP, with 1 being the most preferred.

2. Please rank the following topics in terms of your preference for the College's next QEP, with 1 being the most preferred. - comments

The faculty met via Teams. Faculty Chair, Emily Abrams, began the meeting at 1:30pm.

A motion was made to approve the meeting minutes from February 16, 2024. The motion was made by Brian Fields, seconded by Sandy Holbrook, the motion to approve was by acclamation.

Old Business

None

Department Reports

President’s Report

Dr. Lindon began the report by bragging about the great job done at the U.S. Skills Competition and congratulated the winning students and all those involved.

Pertaining to enrollment, SKCTC is ahead of Spring goals and trending ahead of revenue projections. Students are still enrolling and adding to the total headcount until March 31, 2024. Dr. Lindon suggested faculty keep an eye on the enrollment tracker. Summer and Fall enrollment have already opened and are showing positive trends as well. Around 58 or so students were lost to cancellations, the business office worked on those accounts and cancelled as few as possible.

Dr. Lindon provided faculty with news about FASFA delays. It is a concern that students may try to wait and file when they shouldn’t. There was an issue with the Federal form that was distributed but students should go ahead and file to be placed in the queue. The College will experience delays in receiving the information needed to calculate and distribute funds, therefore, faculty should make efforts to bring awareness of additional resources available such as Work Ready programs, scholarships, and more to alleviate worries about tuition costs. The College will experience delay in receiving the information needed to calculate and distribute funds to students.

Dr. Lindon attended the Board of regents meeting and the Frankfort education meeting that were held March 14, 2024. A $3 tuition increase was approved. Two years ago, a $7 increase was approved but only $4 was used and this increase is the remaining $3 which will help with the College budget. There was also discussion that colleges will now budget for a 3% cost of living increase annually, but the board will not always approve the proposed increase. Dr. Lindon stated that budgets must be submitted to the state in April.  

At this time, Lige Buell asked if the increase would reoccur each year or only for the 2024-2025 year. In which Dr Lindon responded that it was reoccurring and will be budgeted for each year to be prepared in the event the cost of living rises again.

Budget increases are expected, these include utility increases, insurance increases, computer upgrades, and Huron adjustments. Computer upgrades are required but efforts are being made to reduce the number of computers without sacrificing services to students and negotiating deep discount contracts.

Concerning Huron adjustments- Consultants will be phasing out different topics that have been researched and presented upon by Huron at the system level. Dr. Sarah Ballard, head of the Project Management office at KCTCS, manages the Huron project work. The project is not meant to add any new or additional initiatives by narrowing down the focus within the project. College Presidents are listening to faculty and have acknowledged initiative fatigue.  

Huron compensation project- budgeting is being completed for the first phase of the Huron compensation project. Pay bands are set to minimum, midpoint and maximum as work is being done to create a new payroll personnel system. Employee titles will be migrated to the new system. Not all employees will see compensation increases during this initial phase. Those with less years of service may see compensation adjustments first. Additional compensation adjustments will be seen in the subsequent phases of the Huron Project.

The floor was open for questions. No questions currently.

At this time Dr. Lindon asked Dr. Johnson if she needed to add anything to the discussion. Dr. Johnson added to the FASFA update, this includes campaigning to high school students who have applied and pre-registered, distributing financial aid office contact information, the maximum amount possible, and scholarships available. Dr. Johnson reiterates this is a nationwide complication and is not isolated to SKCTC.

Dr. Lindon stated she is working with Dr. Quarles on a date for visiting SKCTC, but the goal will be sometime in April. Secretary Derek Ramsey working with workforce and Jessie Shook, will also be visiting some of the campuses in April possibly the 4^th or 6^th.  At this time, it is unknown which campuses will be visited.

CPE diversity visit is scheduled for April 10, 2024. Dr. Lindon stated she would be present for that meeting and bragged about the good work SKCTC does with the DEI team.

Finally, there was recognition of the Whitesburg Respiratory Care Program. Congratulations on their site visit that went well and is now moving forward.

The floor was again open for questions. No questions, concerns, or comments.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Report (Dr. Lambert)

Prison Education Program Update: We have finalized our MOU with the Department of Corrections and have obtained a letter of approval regarding the implementation of a prison education program at BCFC. As of March 2024, there is now an approved MOU between KYDOC and SKCTC on file. The next steps are

• to receive approval from SACS-COC and the U.S. Department of Education.
• Schedule times for personnel to visit the BCFC and help inmates fill out the FAFSA
• Create flyers to advertise the opportunities available to inmates
• Identify courses that will be offered each semester.
  • These are 8-week courses only.
  • Only offering the A.A. and A.S. entirely online
• Get faculty offering these courses training with the LMS that the KYDOC uses.
  • Securus
• Hire a FT coordinator to facilitate communication between inmates and faculty, provide advising, mentoring and continued support for the needs of the inmates.

Summer and Fall enrollment – After 2 Weeks of pre-registration

Summer

2024                   2023

145                      78

Summer 86% increase in enrollment headcount over the same period last year

Fall

2024                   2023

61                        13

Fall 450% increase in enrollment headcount over the same period last year

CPE Program Review Process: Allied Health was part of the First Year for the new process.

There are 4 cycles for program reviews, all Allied Health programs have been submitted for System Review prior to the Friday, March 15^th deadline.

We were requested by CPE to submit three Improvement plans: enrollment, student demand, and labor market demand were chosen. This request was separate from the Program Reviews submitted or each program’s score on their rubric.

Dr. Lambert was happy to announce an upcoming meeting with Union College on March 18, 2024, at 2pm on the Knox campus to cover the possibility for transfers, MOA, MOU and more.

There will be a Curriculum meeting on April 9, 2024, at 10:00am, discussing the courses that need to be added to either a “no print” list or an inactive list.

Dr. Lambert also added his Congratulations to the Whitesburg Respiratory Care Program.

 

At this time Dr. Lindon made known that she forgot some updates:

The Senate Education Committee hearing voted on Senate Resolution 179 which asks for KCTCS and CPE to work together on a study that concludes at the end of year regarding many facets, effectiveness, processes, single accreditation, consolidation and more. Dr. Lindon stated she is pleased with it and stated because it gives us control over our own destiny, taking the work from the Huron study and building on it versus legislators making these determinations for us. Dr. Lindon stated that questions about single accreditation were raised, and, in her opinion, she is not in favor because she feels it takes away from the College’s autonomy, flexibility, and responsiveness to our communities or industries. This passed with consent and does not have to go to the house therefore, that process will start.

Senate Joint Resolution 132 also passed with consent. Centering around completing the study to look at if the state wants HCTC to be a 4-year college while still allowing technical degrees and select bachelor’s degrees. This will be due December 1^st by CPE. There will be more information and discussions that Dr. Lindon will keep us informed about.

The floor was opened for questions. Emily Abrams made comments about the need for these studies to look at both pros and cons of different servicing areas between the campuses of SKCTC, for example Middlesboro’s campus is different geographically and culturally than Whitesburg. Another aspect to be considered is the accreditation processes for Allied Health programs.

Dr. Lindon mentions that Deans have already expressed concerns regarding accreditation processes of the Allied Health programs.

Lige Buell made comments about a discussion during the Board of Regents meeting about creating a position for a provost for the system and an example model for single accreditation would be Ivy Tech in Indiana.

Dr. Lindon stated that representatives from Ivy Tech have been brought in and talked to about looking at their single accreditation model. Additionally, there are several positions open from the systems office such as HR VP, Marketing VP, finance and more.

Vice President of Student Affairs (Dr. R Johnson)

Dr. Johnson stated that the Joint Chief Student Affairs Officers and Chief Academic Officer met. During the meeting there was a lot of discussion about the Huron study and student leadership, importance of our position and need for VP of student success and academic affairs.  There is support for those structures because they will inspire colleges to work together.

There are leadership opportunities for SKCTC students. There was also a discussion on the KCTCS All-Academic team. It was unanimous that the name was misrepresented the group purpose and should focus more on leadership rather than graduates. Voting decided to keep the process the same for this year.  Dr. Johnson requested faculty to submit recommendations for students; one transfer and one from a technical program. Next year more focus will be on leadership. There is a leadership program, but some institutions have low participation because schedules are conflicting. Efforts will be made to merge the two, to make a competitive leadership program.

The Graduation Committee is making progress preparing for Graduation. Dr. Lindon is making changes to the Graduation script, arrangements are being finalized, and Will and Dakota are creating the student success video.

Dr. Johnson reminded faculty of Honors Night for each campus as the dates and times are set. Please prepare and submit award certificates for your students to committee chairs soon.

Additional New Business

Dr. Holbrook provided the faculty with updates on the committee in charge of surveying stakeholders about QEP.  The committee met to discuss ideas on how to proceed. Dr. Rick Mason will be creating a survey with a list of topics and space for anyone to add a topic. Topics must be specific and measurable. Dr. Mason plans to have this survey available by March 22, 2024, through the SKCTC website, app, and in a mass email. Faculty are encouraged to share the survey link via Blackboard. The survey will also be shared on the College’s social media pages so all stakeholders will have access to share ideas.

Questions, Comments, & Announcements

None

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 2:15pm; first motion by Tim Long, second by Brian Fields.

 

Recorded by: Samantha Stanton 03.25.24
Approved by: Emily Abrams 03.25.24

Welcome

Meeting opened at 130pm by Emily Abrams, Faculty Chair. The meeting is recorded and closed captions are available.

Approval of Past Meeting Minutes

Emily Abrams made a motion to approve the April 2024 meeting minutes. First approved by Ryland Pope, seconded by Lisa Barrick.

August Special Session Minutes Approval.  Motion approved by Brittany Anderson, seconded by Ryland Pope.

Old Business

No Old Business to Discuss

New Business

Dr. Pasty Jackson, Interim President

• Expressed appreciation for the dedication and hard work by the Whitesburg Campus pertaining to the lockdown on September 19, 2024, due to an incident at the Whitesburg Courthouse
• Discussed last Strategic planning meeting that will take place in Middlesboro in September. The group will be compiling the data during the month of October and then draft a document by the end of that month.  The plan is to present to the Board of Directors meeting in November for approval.
• Stated that the College is building an extremely strong database of people that can influence, impact or invest in the college. Was not able to go into specifics about projects in process; however, very excited to share later.
• Stated that the College does have another endowed scholarship coming to support our students.
• Kudos to the PR and the Advancement Department working together collectively to build community relationships and the work they are doing daily with the students.
• Stressed that the College is working diligently on the 2027 Accreditation and that Dr. Lambert is sharing information with faculty for her, and if any help or clarification is needed, reach out.
• Spoke about the budget and how there are stronger ways to do produce a budget that faculty will have a voice to justify what is needed.
• Explained that annual plans are going to be useful when it comes time to talk to the Cabinet and inform them of our needs. “Giving a bit more substance to be able to prioritize needs for instruction and academics.”  
• Enrollment tipped over 3,000 on 9/20/2024 Overall we are trending toward the goal of 3252 or 3257. There are approximately 110 additional workforce application that have not been added to the head count.  There are more opportunities through workforce development that are going to occur over the rest of September and October.  The closeout date is October 31, 2024.
• Looking strong in FTE. Dual credit is doing exceptionally well
• Revenue is approximately 448,000
• Asked for questions. There were none.

Dr. Kevin Lambert, Vice President of Academic Affairs

• Twelve-week courses began on 9/16/2024 and the 2^nd five-week courses begin on 9/23/2024
  • All no shows are due within six days after that class begins and need to be reported.
  • The classes that started on 9/16/24, all no shows should be reported no later than 9/23/24.
• Mandatory KCTCS mandatory training for employees is due by October 9^th.
• Faculty needs to continue looking at their 2025 schedules and e-mail to your appropriate Dean.
• Spring schedules go live in October
  • The first for pre-registration.
  • Only 10 days away.
  • Send them to Cathie Day as soon as possible as she is the one working on them. She is focusing on Spring; however, get the Summer and Fall schedules in as quickly as possible.
• The Syllabi are due to your Dean now.
• Systems office monitoring
  • Deciding whether it is feasible to purchase syllabus software for the entire system. Will keep updated.
  • Annual planning documents are due by October 1^st. They were dispersed earlier this month. If you did not receive, or misplaced it, let Dr. Lambert know and he will resend
  • Some areas will need an extension, and an email was sent to Dr. Jackson to explain why.
• Annual Reviews
  • All programs are required to participate and will be due in October of this year.
• NOCTI test
  • Shane Gibson has assumed the role previously held by Sabrina Mullins on the Whitesburg Campus.
  • Shane Gibson will be coordinating for those that use it. He is becoming familiar with the process.
• Programs going up to CPE for review in the Spring of 2025
  • Automotive technology
  • Business administration
  • Computer and Information Technology
  • Diesel Technology
• Local Curriculum Review Committee met on 9/16/24
  • Discussed possibility of adding new programming at Southeast and they decided on the following programs
    • Sonography
    • Cybersecurity
      • Can be up and running in the Spring with piloting some classes prior to approval of SACS
    • Surgical technology
      • Expansion to the Whitesburg Campus
    • Presented to the faculty for approval of the three programs
      • Motion for approval by Brian Fields and seconded by Sandy Holbrook.
      • Motion carried by signifying of virtual hand raising unanimously with no objections.
    • Explained that for the programs to move forward, approval will have to be obtained. Therefore, no date can be given as to when the programs will be up and running.
    • Lambert will begin working with the Governing bodies to gain approval.
  • Two programs were tabled
    • Agriculture and Aquaculture
    • Graphic design
  • Brian Fields mentioned Fire Science, as Eastern has a bachelor’s degree in fire Science
  • Possibly looking at Broadcasting with a certificate or some sort of degree and development of a curriculum
  • Johnson commented that there have been quite a few calls about the aviation program
    • There was a pilot and a plane. The pilot wrecked the plane so that put the program on hold.  It is a requirement of the program. 
    • Lambert stated that if anyone knows of anyone interested in teaching and has a plane, send them his way Even if you have a pilot, you must have a plane.
  • Jackson made the comment that we need to have programs that stand out and are unique. We need to step away from duplicating programs and still meet the needs of the communities we serve.
    • Look for grants with the advancement office.
    • Maybe a local philanthropic opportunity where people would want to invest and want to see the college grow.
    • Identify and overcome barriers that might be in place to prevent implementation of these programs.
    • She mentioned the funeral service program that once was, and the equipment is still here and not being used. This is an opportunity for our area.  This would be a unique opportunity.  Replace what did not work. May want to consider a relaunch and retool. 
  • Mason will be asked to resend the Strategic Planning Survey out and 100% participation is wanted. Input is very important in strategic planning.
  • AHOC hosted an event at the Harlan Center promoting the College’s Allied Health programs.
    • Kudos to Mike Gayhart and his team setting up the event and for all those that attended.
    • The event had a great turnout from local high schools and the Challenge Academy. Students from Letcher County were there as well.
    • Some of the currently enrolled students attended and assisted our faculty.
  • Christan Wooten, the Nurse Aid Instructor at the Knox Campus was accepted into the Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education Leadership Fellowship Cohort for 2024-2025. It is a great honor.
    • Only 12 CTE professional educators were selected for this opportunity. It allows for individuals to grow in areas of leadership, policy, and professional development.
    • Jackson requested that Dr. Lambert work with Lee to promote this through KCTCS Scoop to celebrate this accomplishment.
  • New Faculty Kelly Hoskins
    • Clinical Coordinator of the radiography program in Pineville
    • Forer student and graduate of SKCTCS.
  • The Haunted Mine will be returning
    • The dates are October 25^th, 26^th, and 31^st.
    • See Tim Long for more details.
    • Presented by SKILLS USA
    • If you want to participate, please let Tim know.
  • SAC/COC updates
    • Fifth year response was submitted on September 7^th.
    • Lambert will be sending a copy out
    • The Prison Education Program prospectus was submitted over the Summer. It is available to view by contacting Dr. Lambert.
    • The follow-up request for information concerning the MCHC off-campus instructional site was submitted in August.
    • The Annual SACS/COC Board of Directors is held in December. This year it is being held in Austin, TX.
      • SKCTCS has been invited to attend the class of 2027 reaffirmation activities.
      • A group will be attending to gain information and prepare for the SACS visit.

Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Vice President of Student Affairs

• Discussed how the effect of the event in Whitesburg may have impacted our students. Stated that Sherry Tinsley is the contact person for the new Mental Health Services, Talk Campus.
  • Talk Campus is on the chit chat page
  • It is available 24/7.
  • Very user friendly for the students
  • If you, or your students, have questions, please reach out.
• Approval for recertification for Federal financial aid has been received.
  • She discussed the process
  • The revamping of the FAFSA process
  • Any new program that goes through the college must be put on our Federal Financial Aid and it needs to be done early
  • If the certificate drops below 16 hours Dr. Johnson must be notified to have it taken off the Federal Financial Aid Application PPA.
• Continue to use Starfish. Kudos to those working behind the scenes with Starfish
• Enrollment management plan
  • One has expired
  • Is beginning the 2024-2030 process
    • Achieving the Dream
    • College America
    • SIM team working to add in the information for this specific strategic plan.
  • Quarles presented to the KCTCS board that Southeast is leading in enrollment. Out of the entire system we are 15.7% higher than we were this time last year.
  • Jackson has forwarded Dr. Johnson the opportunity that Achieving the Dream has invited Southeast to be one of the leading colleges.
    • Johnson, Ryland Pope, and Rick Mason will be meeting next week. Dr. Mason is pulling data now.
  • Jackson recommended that faculty work together with Dr. Mason, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Conklin, and Dr. Reiser to strategize how to keep from taking programs.
    • She stated that they have a Future Fridays, where staff would go out into the middle schools and have presentations of some of the programs we have.
    • Discussions about achieving their goals and how to achieve them.
    • Lambert stated that they are going to try to start expanding something that started at the Knox campus called College Corner
      • Once a week a dedicated day, or once every two weeks a faculty member and a student services person is going to go sit and the school and talk about Southeast and our programs. It has taken off in Barbourville, Knox Central, and Lynn Camp.
      • They are going to start piloting and look for requests for volunteers going out in October.
    • The DEI report for the CPE has been postponed for this year.
      • This does not mean that the program has stopped, it is just postponed.
      • It is moving forward.
      • Kudos to Ryland Pope and the team.
      • Rigorous report for the performance-based funding and a lot of behind-the-scenes work is being completed. Ryland Pope has worked diligently on the strategic plan.
      • Jackson reinforced that SKCTCS, and the system, is committed to maintaining an open atmosphere for everybody that we serve. The language in the plan must truly depict who we are and what we’re doing so that there aren’t false perceptions by people that are making the decisions. There is an intense effort across the system on how we preserve, protect, and how we project what we really are doing and what we are about.  We need to take this as an opportunity to redefine as a system and communicate better so that we can preserve this part of our mission.
      • Johnson stated that they are very holistic in the plan already and it’s more of cultural engagement and a different atmosphere.
    • Johnson attended the CPE Council.
      • She networked with Lily that works at CPE and does a lot of behind the scenes for student basic needs and student success.
      • She was a sounding board and asked for Dr. Johnson’s major barriers. She stated that childcare.  Most of the surveys state that childcare is a major obstacle.
      • Lily stated that they are looking into sponsoring and being the hub of a grand, and they needed two community colleges or institutions to be part of the initiative. She invited Southeast to begin the research phase and SKYCTC to see what we can do with childcare on our campuses.  Will update as information is available.
    • October 26^th the Middlesboro Campus will host local emergency services, firefighters, and different agencies to have Halloween with Heroes. This is a tentative date. Everyone is invited to attend. Let Dr. Johnson know if you want to participate. The recruiters are going to be there.

Additional New Business

Sandy Holbrook

• She contacted several faculty members regarding QEP surveys
  • Desires to do some in person classes and get some of the survey responses with the top five topics that were identified from the last survey.
    • Digital literacy
    • Career development
    • Financial literacy
    • Online readiness and learning
    • Revamping FYE 105
  • There were 159 responses to date.
    • Missing from the Gen. ED side.
      • Can extend the survey until September 27^th
      • Will email individuals to get responses
    • Career Development has taken the lead
    • Followed by Financial literacy

Kathryn Handzlik

• We need tutors for the Cumberland, Harlan, and Knox Campuses
  • Tutors create their own schedule
    • Monday-Friday 8:00 to 4:30
    • Up to 15 hours per week
    • $10/hour
    • Qualifications are a GPA of 3.0 and an A in the subject they want to tutor or a faculty recommendation
  • Encourage students to apply and to participate in tutoring

Ryland Pope

• The Diversity Committee (what it is called internally) has always been called the Cross functional team. This will be the new terminology.
• Professional Development Opportunity
  • During the Swappin’ Meeting
    • The Heritage Festival on the Cumberland Campus
    • October 4^th at 10:00 am., Dr. Daniel Walters, who’s currently working with the University of Tennessee, is going to come and lead us in a workshop about effective communication and engagement strategies for the Latinx and Indigenous Native Indigenous demographics within the Southeast Service.
    • Why do this?
      • The Indigenous population is the fastest growing population by percentages in enrollment for the college right now
      • The Latin X not the quickest enrolling for our institution, but there is an influx of this demographic migrating to our area
      • Our enrollment numbers are not increasing at the same rate.
      • There is an equity gap, so the college is losing tuition dollars with this specific demographic.
      • The Cross Functional team is hosting this workshop for advisors, success coaches, and recruiters specifically.
        • For effective communication and engagement strategies for these two demographics.
        • All faculty is invited to participate. Newman Hall room 101
      • Another opportunity is the Latin X Heritage Festival in Cumberland Gap, TN
        • Hosted on September 28^th
        • There will be a recruitment booth.
        • Networking event for the College
        • There will be a debriefing after the festival to gather information on what was learned about the specific demographic and how we can better serve them as an institution
        • The information will be used to design specific recruitment strategies.
        • All advisors, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend.
      • Diversity is very interesting
        • It can be a very hot topic in today’s climate
        • This can be a growth driver for the college and that’s the way the Cross Functional team is looking at it.
          • We have a mission to serve our faculty and staff to the highest abilities, making sure that we have the most welcoming and inclusive campuses as possible
        • Different demographics are our bread and butter, the reason why we are here.
          • Veterans
          • Disabled students
          • LGBTQIA
          • Multitudes of ethnic demographics
          • Low-income students
        • The mission of the Cross Functional Team is to serve and support all of our students
      • Jackson explained a strategy that they use at Big Sandy
        • Sponsor an event yearly and invite different entities such as
          • Superintendents
          • Principals
          • Counselors
          • Students
        • It has been a great success and faculty take back what they learn to the classroom or advising. It is strategy driven. Ryland will contact Dr. Jackson for more information.
      • Ryland states that they are trying to develop a regional exchange between all the Eastern Kentucky Colleges. Specifically, both our sister community colleges develop pathways for enrollment to four-year institutions.
      • The Cross Functional Team is spending $5,000 this year on professional development and training.

Elana Scopa-Forson

• Invites everyone to the Swappin’ Meeting on October 4^th and 5^th.
  • There will be a free library, if anyone wants to donate books, especially children’s books, take to Godby room 119. Or place them in her mailbox.
  •  
  •  

Questions, Comments, & Announcements

• Ongoing construction in Pineville has relocated the respiratory program to the Middlesboro campus.
  • Kudos to Tammy Redmond for the “hospitality”
  • Kudos to Larry Mills and Chad Watson who have been key in relocating their equipment and getting them situated.
  • Kudos to the M/O staff at Middlesboro for all their help

 

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Chairwoman Abrams, approved first by Brian Fields; seconded by Ryland Pope. Concluded at 1445.