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 2022-23

1. Assess winter session and bi-term course offerings and add new courses based on feedback
2. Pilot Simple Syllabus
3. Provide professional development to support class delivery that is simultaneously offered in-person and virtually, with class recording and transcription
4. Provide co-curricular options that are virtual and in-person (and in some cases, both)
5. Promote Handshake to assist students in their transition to careers
6. Offer the Career and Life Skills Certificate program with a competency-based option
7. Offer the GO CAREERS Business Administration degree coast-to-coast
8. Complete the transition to Blackboard Ultra
9. Implement the High School Nurse Track program
10. Rollout the reimagined KCTCS Online
11. Expand wi-fi on Downtown Campus to include all classroom areas (including the Art Studio)
12. Explore processes for improving the awarding of credit for prior learning
13. Monitor the opportunity for federal Pell grant funding for justice-impacted students
14. Explore Detention Center training program as a credit-bearing or non-credit bearing program, including welding and other skilled trades
15. Revise the online quality assurance process
16. Attain 100% online faculty certification
17. Transform more classrooms with technology to allow in-person/virtual delivery
18. Implement the National Science Foundation grant-funded Industry 4.0 competency-based model
19. Offer Intro to Native American Literature (Summer 2022)
20. Participate in the Jobs for the Future/Competency-Based Education Network (JFF-CBEN) Equity Collaboratory second-year effort
21. Implement Respondus test proctoring software
22. Launch onsite English as a Second Language program at an employer partner site
23. Offer Spanish for Healthcare workers course
24. Expand Summer class offerings
25. Offer Math and Science classes one night a week in a hybrid format
26. Explore a competency-based electrical certificate
27. Seek opportunities to embed ALIGN recommendations in both educational delivery and student support services

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 2022-23

1. Support the development of a new and streamlined admissions application
2. Ask questions about the needs of special student populations on a regular basis to better support students in their studies and meet the needs of Perkins V
3. Develop an online orientation/virtual Pathfinder Day
4. Rollout new assessment and placement guides that include placement based on HS GPA and the statewide requirements of the Council on Postsecondary Education
5. Broadcast a regular Experiential Learning Center update in a television news format
6. Address opportunities for improvement based on the Council for Postsecondary Education review of our Diversity Assessment Plan
7. Re-establish the Multicultural Student Association
8. Complete the first cohort of the ACE (Academic Career Exploration) Program (in partnership with the Owensboro Black Expo) with Owensboro High School
9. Expand the second cohort of the ACE Program to Daviess County Public Schools
10. Expand the number of international student Designated School Officials to three
11. Open the Career Closet
12. Implement auto-awarding certificates for interested programs
    Improve and automate the application for graduation
13. Implement the new preferred name function once it is available in PeopleSoft
14. Explore how to use a TAO-like service, such as Credible Mind from the Owensboro Health and River Valley
15. Refine the changes to the FYE 100 diversity component based on feedback
16. Explore a specific assigned academic advisor for URM students
17. Improve accessibility to buildings
18. Implement the accessibility award for faculty
19. Implement Brainfuse online and virtual in-person tutoring
20. Launch partnership with the Family Scholar House for follow-ups with students in need
21. Create an orientation to academic expectations for dual credit students
22. Pilot a process for supporting underserved populations on SAP appeal

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 2022-23

1. Explore potential campus initiatives in support of the Council on Postsecondary Education Essential Skills Graduate Profile Academy
2. Implement a new “Beginner’s Basics” professional development opportunity as the pre-requisite session for entry into the Master Advisor sequence
3. Explore how to use the new KCTCS Guided Pathways
4. Reinvigorate the Associates in Fine Arts Programs, including transfer pathways with KWC and Brescia (e.g., Graphic Design) and Technical Theatre certificate transfers with the Technical Theatre BA at WKU
5. Facilitate additional four-year partner visits to classrooms to share the power of the BA/BS
6. Offer tours of universities/colleges as Merit events
7. Develop a Master Advisor supplemental session about transfer advising for technical program students
8. Explore the transfer application of a second Cultural Studies course
9. Improve the acoustics in the Pathfinder Den
10. Host an annual RN-BSN fair
11. Develop transfer pathways for the Commonwealth West Healthcare Workforce Innovation Center
12. Increase awareness about transfer opportunities for URM students
13. Explore transfer agreements with HBCUs

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 2022-23

1. Develop the plan for the Commonwealth West Healthcare Workforce Innovation Center
2. Admit the first class of the Career and Life Skills Certificate program
3. Pursue approval of the Career and Life Skills Certificate program as a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary program with the US Department of Education
4. Implement new Perkins V Career Pathways
5. Seek federal financial aid and VA approval for the new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) certificates
6. Implement a Plumbing FastTrack program
7. Incorporate experiential learning opportunity discussions into academic advising
8. Maximize experiential course credit for work experience
9. Implement Pathway 2 for Surgical Technology
10. Offer an Automotive certificate at Henderson County HS
11. Expand CDL student sponsorship opportunities and placements
12. Explore the creation of a Commercial HVAC certificate
13. Research the potential for a Respiratory Care program
14. Establish more placement sites for internships
15. Assist incoming refugees (and potential refugees) with entering educational programming at OCTC
16. Host an Allied Health Job Fair
17. Explore other potential new healthcare-related programs, e.g., Biomedical Equipment Maintenance, Infusion and Catheterization Technicians, Nuclear Medicine Technicians, and Advanced Imaging Technicians, Advanced EMT, Paramedic Tech partnership with Paducah
18. Explore how to use the new KCTCS Guided Pathways for career preparation
19. Implement the direct admit initiative for Nursing
20. ​​​​​​​Explore a Graphic Design Certificate

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 2022-23

1. Promote changes to the Dual Credit Scholarship/Work Ready Dual Credit Scholarship program to high school counselors, students, and parents
2. Partner with local colleges to host a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion event
3. Refresh the side of the Academic Building facing the parking lot
4. Have a regular walk-around of campuses to ensure we are putting our best face forward
5. Develop a comprehensive student life cycle communication plan
6. Improve lighting in parking lot P4 and lakeside
7. Redo program videos to highlight new technology, furniture, faculty, and staff
8. Update all program webpages
9. Remove all pdf, MS Word, and MS Excel files from our website
10. Install new campus entryway digital signage
11. Update Campus Center wall graphics/photos
12. Expand security camera installation to parking lots
13. Install more door/wall wraps
14. Add digital displays in high traffic areas
15. Wrap the CDL truck
16. Create an annual Impact Report for the OCTC Foundation
17. Partner with the Owensboro Times to enhance our digital presence
18. Formalize the Integrated Communications Workteam
19. Enhance our social media presence with student social media ambassadors
20. Replace flags/banners around campus
21. Reinitialize the Cultural Competency Workgroup initiatives
22. Explore CPE Cultural Competency Certification micro-credential for faculty, staff, and students
23. Support a third staff member’s participation in the Council on Postsecondary Education’s Academic Leadership Development Institute
24. Explore hosting an Art Market on the Downtown Campus coinciding with the Farmer’s Market
25. Pilot a summer flex work schedule
26. Present at the KCTCS Innovations Conference
27. Feature faculty/employee images and info on our website

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 2022-23

1. Fold the SEM plan and strategic plan into one another and build upon all the SEM efforts underway
2. Use the SEM team to assess monthly unit/office updates on SEM action steps and suggest responsive strategies
3. Achieve the SEM Key Performance Indicators
4. Join the KCTCS shared services initiative for prospect management
5. Review and revise prospective student communications
6. Publish the Office for Diversity newsletter each semester
7. Promote the new Pathfinder Den webpage
8. Host the Sixth Annual OCTC Donor Celebration
9. Host the Sixth Girls Empowerment Trail Blazer event
10. Sponsor Rooster Booster in October
11. Expand Alumni Appreciation events
12. Provide AMTEC summer training for KDE instructors
13. Host an enrollment event for prospective Hispanic students
14. Publish an integrated calendar that catalogs all events on campus
15. Improve the campus visitor experience
16. Partner with Beverly’s Hearty Slice for a free pizza outreach event
17. Produce video testimonies of healthcare professionals of color
18. Invite Neblett Center and Girls Inc. to campus for the Alcoa STEAM workshop
19. Host CPE Summer Bridge program Level-Up 2.0 and hire PT coordinator and assistant
20. Host employer CDL sponsorship events
21. Explore the installation of an electric charging station for vehicles on campus
22. Plan standardized tours of various lengths and focused on different guided pathway areas
23. Utilize the Cobra II car in community and recruiting events
24. Investigate new scholarships with an emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
25. Pilot the scholarship awarding platform in Blackbaud RENXT Software in conjunction with KCTCS