Strategic Plan

OCTC Objective 1: Scheduling and Curriculum - The College offers coursework in timeframes and modalities that are responsive to student and community needs.

Metric for Success (KCTCS Key Performance Indicator): Academic Year Enrollment
Unduplicated total enrollment headcount (for credit) in most recently completed academic year (summer, fall, spring).  Reach target set by KCTCS.

Action Steps for 2024-25

1. Expand program offerings and course modalities to meet the needs of adult learners
2. Offer First Year Experience (FYE) 100 during fall and spring 2nd bi-term semesters
3. Explore offering a 3-credit hour FYE course targeting potential transfer and undecided students
4. Implement Competency Based Education (CBE) certificates in technical programs
5. Obtain SACSCOC approval to implement Technical Theatre CBE Program
6. Explore developing a Prison Education Program
7. Explore offering a course similar to the University of Louisville's (UofL) Healthcare Leadership Prior Learning Assessment class
8. Offer new Advanced CNA course
9. Explore offering Early Childhood Work-and-Learn model
10. Explore converting pass/fail grading to traditional A/B/C grading
11. Offer CT and MRI Certificates
12. Explore offering evening and weekend courses
13. Offer African American History & Literature courses
14. Ensure courses are listed with the correct modality in PeopleSoft (hybrid, in-person, online)
15. Attain 100% full-time faculty KCTCS Essential Standards (KES) certification as new faculty are hired
16. Revise OCTC Quality Assurance process to align with KCTCS standards
17. Explore ways to expand what HealthForce Kentucky is developing to other programs
18. Utilize HealthForce mobile labs for classroom instruction
19. Explore offering additional healthcare related programs
20. Offer Medical Laboratory Technician Program with Henderson Community College
21. Seek approval to change the prefix for American Sign Language, which is a foreign language and cultural studies course
22. Explore offering performance and production classes and programs
23. Consider hiring a full-time Economics instructor
24. Complete Veterinary Technology reaccreditation
25. Explore offering 4- and 12-week courses
26. Embed industry certificates into curriculum
27. Explore offering a 3D printing certificate
28. Offer certification in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
29. Obtain Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval for Aquaculture
30. Explore offering certificates embedded within programs (e.g., Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technician (Automotive), Public Leadership (Business), and Medical Receptionist (Medical Information Technology))
31. Provide support for quality and accessible equipment and funding for the AAS in Professional Studio Artist Program
32. Offer transitional English courses to improve reading and writing skills of students with low test scores
33. Obtain SACSCOC approval to use HealthForce mobile labs as Off-Campus Instructional Sites
34. Implement HealthForce Two Mobile Lab
35. Provide professional development for AI, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR)
36. Provide professional development for regular and substantive interaction (RSI)
37. Expand use of VR and AR in courses
38. Scan employer work environments to incorporate AR into classrooms
39. Explore hiring a part-time Career and Life Skills (CLS) Specialist who holds a special education credential to grow the program, teach GEN 102 Foundations of Learning, develop course modifications, supervise the development and execution of person-centered planning for every student, and assist with recruitment and admission
40. Explore creating an experiential learning lab
41. Continue to explore opportunities to host a technical program onsite at Daviess County Detention Center
42. Explore cohort model for targeted credential programs
43. Pursue additional funding sources to continue TechX Boot Camp Bridge Program
44. Explore opportunities to develop electric vehicle battery manufacturing curricula through AMTEC

OCTC Objective 2:  Student Support - Meeting learners where they are with the services they need, the College’s learner-focused faculty and staff help students reach their potential.

Metric for Success (KCTCS Key Performance Indicator):  Two-Year Persistence Rate
Unduplicated percentage of students entering in the fall semester who earn a credential at the initial institution by the end of the following academic year, transfer by the end of the following academic year, or are still enrolled at the initial institution at any time during the following academic year. Reach target set by KCTCS.

Action Steps for 2024-25

1. Implement a full-time FYE administrator
2. Revamp the FYE Program
3. Teach students ethical uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
4. Expand user access to Starfish
5. Implement the CPE 10 Essential Skills
6. Increase funding to the HHFA department to assist with AAS in Bluegrass and meet the growing costs to support theatre, art, chorus, and Skylark
7. Explore additional honorary student organizations
8. Develop faculty mentors
9. Identify and explore replacement of damaged and non-ADA compliant furniture in classrooms and common areas
10. Implement new process for collecting bad debt
11. Explore options to address inability to withhold transcripts for students with balances
12. Create a "maker space" for students
13. Embed career services into enrollment and advising processes
14. Explore options for easier and faster transcript release from external institutions
15. Develop and implement new Quality Enhancement Plan
16. Increase available assistance and develop a student organization for non-native English-speaking students
17. Explore implementation of guided pathway advising
18. Increase student awareness of kynector Coordinator
19. Develop communication plan for dual credit and concurrently enrolled students
20. Expand advisor training on pathways and transfer options
21. Improve advising process for dual credit and concurrently enrolled students
22. Improve advising and transfer communication to all advisors
23. Offer a triage model for student support
24. Secure funding for Food Pantry
25. Create awareness of resources available to address students’ basic needs
26. Research appointment scheduling software that works with PeopleSoft
27. Explore childcare options
28. Increase utilization of Handshake
29. Provide nutritional and affordable/subsidized food options on campus
30. Increase student awareness of lactation room
31. Expand use of the career closet to address clothing needs not related to job interviews and to provide gender-affirming clothing
32. Move location of advising information on PeopleSoft Student Self-Service Center
33. Work with System Office to include advisor information on student schedules
34. Add OCTC building legend to student schedule
35. Participate in the KCTCS Mental Health Task Force
36. Replace TAO with a more robust mental health support platform
37. Explore hiring an additional counselor
38. Implement and refer students to the Owen Autism Center Inclusive Circles Program
39. Have faculty and staff participate in "Be a Student for a Day" to discover obstacles students face on campus
40. Increase inventory for loaner laptop program

OCTC Objective 3:  Transfer - The College creates seamless pathways so students can make a successful transition to four-year colleges and universities.

Metric for Success (KCTCS Key Performance Indicator):  Post-KCTCS Outcomes
Percentage of non-returning credential earners (degree, diploma, certificate) in one academic year that enroll at a four-year institution or are employed and earn a wage greater than or equal to the federal poverty level in the following academic year.  Reach target set by KCTCS.

Action Steps for 2024-25

1. Promote the new WKU Agriculture transfer plan
2. Review common transfer options and offer required courses
3. Promote TRiO's transfer support services
4. Collaborate with Brescia University in Fine Arts
5. Promote OCTC classes to students attending 4-year institutions
6. Work with UofL to allow Consortium Agreements
7. Build relationships with 4-year institutions outside of Owensboro
8. Develop and promote meaningful transfer pathways
9. Explore hiring a full-time Transfer Coordinator
10. Promote transfer plans to HBCU's in Kentucky
11. Develop process to prepare students for navigating transfer challenges
12. Partner with additional 4-year institutions to waive application fees if students meet with an on-campus representative
13. Make students aware of transfer pathways early in their academic career
14. Promote transfer scholarship and financial aid information to students
15. Promote transfer majors rather than degrees
16. Utilize HealthForce Kentucky to promote transfer options
17. Connect students receiving accommodations who plan to transfer with the disability services office at their transfer institution
18. Explore options to increase transfer rate

OCTC Objective 4:  Careers - The College creates seamless pathways, including experiential learning opportunities, so students can make a successful transition to in-demand careers.

Metric for Success (KCTCS Key Performance Indicator):  Targeted Industry Sector Credentials
Credentials awarded in academic programs aligned with the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board’s Targeted Industry Sectors (Healthcare; Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics; Information Technology, Business, and Finance; and Construction).  Reach target set by KCTCS.

Action Steps for 2024-25

1. Implement Work & Learn model for Automotive Technology
2. Develop career pathway partnerships for AFA and Professional Studio Artist (e.g., RiverPark, Bluegrass Museum, etc.)
3. Offer Work Ready KY Scholarship during summer semester if approved by KHEAA and funding is available
4. Increase matriculation of technical/high demand concurrent enrollment students to degree completion
5. Incorporate career and program counseling at local high schools
6. Utilize Lightcast for career exploration
7. Connect students with community resources specifically geared towards their career interests
8. Partner with local high schools to allow students to attend career exploration days
9. Collaborate with high school clubs (e.g., Art, Drama, FFA, 4-H) to create early connections
10. Expand employer invitations to classrooms to talk about their industries and job opportunities
11. Explore training on what is coming in careers (e.g., robotics and automation)
12. Host SkillTrain event for ESL students in partnership with International Center
13. Partner with HealthForce KY to offer healthcare career exploration

OCTC Objective 5:  Marketing and Image - The College inspires and enables individuals to reach their goals and shares their stories of success with the many stakeholders we serve.

Metric for Success (KCTCS Key Performance Indicator):  Employee Retention Rate:
The retention rate of regular KCTCS employees during the academic year.  Reach target set by KCTCS.

​​​​​​​Action Steps for 2024-25

1. Explore participating in student competitions (e.g., Skills USA, Trade Wars, Art/Drama)
2. Implement new interactive campus map
3. Bolster Arts and Humanities opportunities/productions (e.g., Bluegrass Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, etc.)
4. Expand alumni outreach with Almabase
5. Highlight careers of alumni on OCTC website and social media platforms
6. Promote the Professional Studio Artist - Bluegrass & Traditional Music Program
7. Create marketing materials for Center of Academic Excellence-Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation
8. Identity and market programs and courses to adult learners
9. Create opportunities for OCTC alumni to share 4-year college experiences with our students
10. Celebrate Common Reading 20th anniversary
11. Develop marketing materials for diverse populations
12. Update program rack cards
13. Celebrate Community College Month
14. Add directional signage in Main Campus parking lots
15. Complete Foundation webpage refresh
16. Complete installation of digital sign at Main Campus - 231 entrance
17. Begin Campus Center kitchen renovation
18. Begin elevator upgrade project
19. Explore replacing Downtown Campus switchgear
20. Implement HVAC upgrade project
21. Repair broken automatic doors
22. Continue installation of cameras inside buildings
23. Complete fire alarm update project
24. Complete Southeastern Campus fire sprinkler system project
25. Replace non-working faucets
26. Replace chalkboards with whiteboards and refurbish/replace existing whiteboards where needed
27. Explore installing a digital sign at Southeastern Campus and upgrading the Downtown Campus digital sign
28. Finish exterior improvements of Academic Building (parking lot side)
29. Continue rotation of parking lot sealing and striping
30. Paint Main Campus building names
31. Paint Main Campus mall area
32. Evaluate repairing unlevel sidewalks
33. Explore upgrading Dayman Gallery lighting to improve student and guest experience
34. Explore updating building kitchen areas addressing microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, cabinets, sink tops, etc.
35. Explore adding benches outside Science Building
36. Provide campus construction schedule to minimize disruptions
37. Explore expanding campus recycling efforts
38. Evaluate streamlining travel processes
39. Increase awareness of security button on campus phones and computers
40. Develop webpage for the START Center
41. Utilize CDL semi and Cobra trailer at events
42. Promote transfer opportunities
43. Spotlight service-learning projects
44. Increase program participation at community events for visibility and student outreach
45. Advertise Study Abroad trips to Australia in 2025 and Japan in 2026
46. Launch faculty & staff blog
47. Promote OCTC Nature Center
48. Update and improve faculty and staff online directory
49. Produce faculty/staff testimonials on the value of OCTC
50. Explore how AI can assist with student questions
51. Increase focus on mental wellness (e.g., mental health events, zen space)
52. Increase the use of video on all platforms
53. Provide professional development on utilization of the KCTCS app

OCTC Objective 6:  Recruitment and Outreach – The College engages with the community and expands partnerships for regional economic, social, cultural, and intellectual prosperity.

Metric for Success (KCTCS Key Performance Indicator):  Alternative Revenue:
Annual dollar amount of financial contributions from grants, contracts, advancement, and other external sources and endowment income.  Reach target set by KCTCS.

​​​​​​​Action Steps for 2024-25

1. Increase program representation at college events
2. Increase matriculation of dual credit/concurrent enrollment students
3. Revive OCTC Speech & Debate Team
4. Explore training faculty to use Signal Vine
5. Host a Theatre Arts Camp with the possibility of offering credit for prior learning
6. Partner with Boy/Girl Scout Troops to earn badges for campus events
7. Highlight Education First Employers
8. Enhance promotion of the Work Ready KY Scholarship
9. Expand recruiting efforts (e.g., treatment and recovery centers, churches, K-12 Parent Night)
10. Host 8th Annual Girls Empowerment Trailblazer Event
11. Host 8th Annual OCTC Donor Celebration
12. Integrate virtual reality into marketing and recruiting
13. Promote Healthcare Facilities Leadership connection to SkillBridge
14. Create a small OCTC card that faculty/staff can give to potential students
15. Promote OCTC's expansion into hybrid and electric vehicle technology
16. Make career information more visible on website
17. Promote Career and Life Skills Program
18. Increase representation and marketing for General Education programs/courses
19. Participate in K-12 digital backpack programs
20. Increase youth visits to campus (e.g., Girls Inc., Western Academy, Boys and Girls Club, middle school summer camps, etc.)
21. Host additional community events on campus (e.g., Art Fair, Native American Festival, Boy/Girl Scouts)
22. Explore ways to increase URM student participation in technical, high wage earning programs
23. Explore hiring a full-time recruiter
24. Develop new Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Plan
25. Implement and utilize new CRM
26. Evaluate collaborating with employers to increase employer sponsored tuition opportunities