FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
March 30, 2016
NPC INVESTS IN ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT, ONLINE LEARNING
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) Board of Trustees held their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 30. Items for report included a new degree program, enrollment management update, overview of the budget process, and an investment in quality assessment of online learning.
The March Student of the Month was introduced by Learning Acceleration Instructor,
Mark Chapel. Dawn Gonzalez, 25, is a Hot Springs resident and mother of three. She
has completed 93 hours toward an associate of science degree in education with a cumulative
grade-point average of 3.26. She hopes to complete her degree in August 2016 and become
an elementary school teacher. A Career Pathways student, Ms. Gonzalez is a National
Park College Student Ambassador and work study secretary for the Learning Acceleration
Division.
Dr. Donna Kay, Director of Online Learning recognized Radiography Program Director,
Debra Wilson for her work with the Quality Matters (QM) model, which has a mission to promote and improve the quality of online education
and student learning. Ms. Wilson was awarded QM Recognition for her Medical Terminology
course, the first course at National Park College to receive the honor. The College
is working toward expanding QM training for faculty on campus.
Darla Thurber, Assistant to the President recognized Phi Theta Kappa for their Five Star Chapter award, noting the officer team worked very hard to earn the distinction and the campus is very proud of their effort.
Dr. Wade Derden, Vice President for Academic Affairs requested board approval for a New Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Management. The degree will offer two tracts in either accounting or management and marketing.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr. Jerry Thomas presented an enrollment update. He discussed the team’s objective to create a robust enrollment management plan which provides a seamless registration and enrollment process for students. The plan will include understanding the needs and behaviors of prospective students, strengthening relationships with area high schools, an integrated approach to marketing, and the use of data to drive decisions.
Jeff Weaver, Vice President for External Relations reported that his team has worked very closely with the recruitment team to help reach enrollment objectives and is currently implementing a direct email marketing campaign. Communications Director, Melony Ritter provided an overview of the digital analytics the team collects and how the data helps shape marketing decisions.
President, Dr. John Hogan concluded the meeting with the president’s report. He provided a progress report of the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year which the campus has been working on for the past few months. He commended the team for working to draft a proposed budget that is conservative, structurally balanced, and takes the future funding prognosis into consideration.
The proposed draft prioritizes funding for faculty to implement over 15 new degrees, certificates and transfer options, a robust enrollment management program and student success initiatives. Hogan shared that the economic realities that shape the budget include uncertain state funding scenarios and the need to grow enrollment. He also explained that retirements have created employment gaps in key instructional and student affairs areas. He expressed that the team is working to reduce administrative overhead and increase faculty and staff positions that directly impact students. He noted that it is important to invest in NPC’s employees by continuing the quality pay initiative and increasing wellness and professional development opportunities.
Hogan added that as part of the budget process, the team is proposing a significant reorganization that recognizes gaps and surpluses in staffing needs, eliminates duplication and relocates some employees to positions that are needed to directly impact students. Employees potentially affected by the plan were given as much advanced notice as possible. Job assistance and counseling will be provided for affected employees, including an internal job fair. This type of reorganization is a moving target and is likely to create a domino effect of transitions on campus. He noted the outcome will be a rebalanced staffing plan which provides key faculty and staff in areas that will impact student success and enrollment growth.
Hogan announced the Innovative Technologies Center will host the Code.Connect.Innovate Conference on campus next week which will bring together Computer Science faculty and information technology staff from across Arkansas Higher Education to share ideas, foster best practices and stimulate innovation. He and William Polk, Project Coordinator for Community and Corporate Training completed an industry tour of AirTech Supply this week. NPC will host the monthly Arkansas Division of Higher Education Coordinating Board meeting on campus April 21-22.
