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 2025-26

1. Pilot multi-term course scheduling

   2. Hire an American Sign Language adjunct instructor and a full-time Economics instructor

   3. Explore offering evening and weekend courses

   4. Explore offering 4- and 12- week courses during spring and fall semesters

   5. Enhance Allied Health program support by upgrading the Anatomy and Physiology lab with

   modern technology to improve learning outcomes and student engagement

   6. Create a State-of-the-Art Anatomy and Physiology/Simulation Lab to equip Veterinary

   Technology students with hands-on experience and cutting-edge learning tools

   7. Upgrade CIT labs with Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity to equip students for a digital,

   security-focused workforce

   8. Integrate the 10 Essential Skills into the curriculum, including FYE 100

   9. Offer Medical Laboratory Technician Program with Henderson Community College and

   HealthForce KY

   10. Explore implementing Competency-Based Education (CBE) modality into general education

   courses and additional programs (e.g., Medical Information Technology)

   11. Consider offering an additional foreign language course (e.g., German or French and

   American Sign Language)

   12. Utilize HealthForce mobile labs to offer employer-sponsored CNA courses

   13. Provide a retention-focused ENG 100/101 New Student Orientation in Fall 2025

   14. Offer KMA II course as employers request it for their employees

   15. Utilize new Ohio County Health Villa Point radiography clinical site

   16. Work with System Office to advocate for the state to recognize general education

   certification as a completed certification for performance funding eligibility

   17. Support implementation of Innovation SEM grants

   18. Navigate legislative changes

   19. Achieve SACSCOC Reaffirmation

   20. Implement changes to FYE 100

   21. Develop degree maps for all programs

   22. Evaluate the credit for prior learning (CPL) process utilizing the OCTC CPL work team

   23. Leverage the Work Ready KY Scholarship to provide additional course offerings during the

   summer

   24. Provide customized CNA training in HealthForce 1 through an employer-sponsored

   consortium initiative

   25. Seek federal funding to develop electric vehicle battery manufacturing curricula through

   AMTEC

   26. Seek Center of Academic Excellence - Cybersecurity Phase II approval

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 2025-26

27. Expand use of VR/AR in Criminal Justice Program

28. Explore ways for Academic Affairs and Adult Education to work together to provide support for instructors teaching students who are not English-language proficient

29. Secure funding for 2025-2030 TRiO grant

30. Increase Starfish usage among faculty

31. Create a mentorship program that fosters connections among faculty, staff, and students

32. Utilize the OCTC Cyber Club to provide peer-to-peer troubleshooting support for students

33. Implement policy in syllabi regarding ethical uses of Artificial Intelligence

34. Establish a space where students can create headshots, record videos, and complete other related tasks

35. Update Art Studio equipment and tools

36. Improve communication with students regarding opportunities to earn credit for basic CIT courses

37. Repair or replace non-working classroom speakers

38. Develop a Craftsman Closet

39. Explore developing a "Healthcare Closet" for students needing uniforms, stethoscopes, shoes, etc.

40. Offer affordable and healthy food service on campus

41. Explore opportunities to improve the bad debt collection process

42. Evaluate possibilities for merging the Diesel lab with the former Welding space

43. Consider enhancing the Dayman Gallery, particularly the lighting, to create a professional-quality experience for AFA students

44. Build a recording studio to support professional training and mentorship for Bluegrass Music students

45.  Explore inclusive seating options

46. Implement Year 1 of the QEP

47. Research translation devices designed to assist students who are non-native English speakers

48. Provide enhanced assistance, beyond tutoring, for non-English-proficient students during both enrollment and classroom activities

49. Promote a culture where seeking mental health support is encouraged to increase student follow-through on counseling referrals

50. Research replacement options for TAO that include a more robust mental health support platform

51. Embed Career Services into enrollment and advising processes

52. Implement Anthology Reach

53. Improve advising process for dual credit and concurrently enrolled students

54. Complete update of the student basic needs hub website

55. Enhance student schedules by adding an OCTC building legend, a key explaining class days of the week, advisor information, and guidance on accessing student email

56. Broaden student services to support additional needs, including food insecurity and access to clothing

57. Enhance the career closet inventory to include more than just interview attire

58. Explore implementation of guided pathway advising

59. Enhance awareness of the resources offered by the Ready to Work Program for parenting students

60. Implement the Mental Health Task Force recommendations

61. Explore hiring a Success Coach for special populations

62. Explore opportunities to collaborate with local partners to supply fresh produce for the Pathfinder Pantry

63. Administer a survey to gather student feedback on how they would feel most supported

64. Host workshops for students to develop effective job applications, resumes, and cover letters

65. Maximize the use of Handshake's capabilities

66. Develop web page for the START Center

67. Increase matriculation of dual credit and concurrent enrollment students to complete OCTC credentials

68. Improve faculty and staff knowledge of programs and best contacts for fielding student questions

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 2025-26

69.  Increase participation in WKU-O's "Hilltopper for a Day"

70. Explore AFA-Theatre transfer agreements with Murray State and KWC

71. Encourage students to engage with faculty regarding transfer

72. Obtain GPA information on OCTC students transferring to Brescia and KWC

73. Market USI Reciprocal Agreement

74. Promote PTK transfer scholarship

75. Incorporate discussions of transfer options during the initial advising process

76. Arrange student visits to KWC and Brescia for events and activities to help them become

familiar with the campuses

77. Foster collaboration between Transfer and Career Services

78. Increase engagement with Kentucky's HBCU's to facilitate transfer opportunities

79. Research top five transfer barriers and develop potential solutions

80. Develop process to prepare students for navigating transfer challenges

81. Partner with 4-year institutions and employers to showcase careers that require a bachelor’s degree and emphasize how OCTC provides an affordable pathway to those credentials

82. Cultivate relationships with southern Indiana high schools and colleges

83. Focus on promoting majors/transfer intent instead of general AA/AS/AFA degrees

84. Increase student awareness of transfer/general education certification options, the availability of financial aid and scholarships for transfer, and the value of an AA/AS degree

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 2025-26

85.  Increase the number of dual credit high school students who enroll in the nursing program immediately following their high school graduation

86. Increase the number of OHRH nurse externs who receive clinical credit for their hours worked in the externship role

87. Continue development of an employer engagement asset team

88. Complete and launch the HealthForce KY Innovation Center

89. Build on the success of the ELC and Title III grant with a strong emphasis on career services and career development

90. Shift the focus from credential attainment to career readiness

91. Host program specific career fairs

92. Increase internship opportunities for all programs

93. Expand employer participation in the Education First Employer initiative

94. Explore professional development certifications within the community

95. Create "Discover Events" through collaboration between Career Services and faculty, such as program representatives and industry professionals visiting classrooms to discuss career opportunities

96. Create a list of targeted credentials, ensuring students are guided toward the certifications needed for specific jobs, and align this with the number of certifications required by organizations and businesses in the region

97. Pilot the Kentucky Adult Education Graduating to Greatness initiative

98. Establish employer sponsorships for work and learn programming (i.e., GO FAME, GO Careers, etc.)

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 2025-26

99. Improve retention of both full-time and part-time faculty in programs with higher attrition rates, such as nursing

100. Participate in the KY Association of Environmental Education workshop

101. Showcase additional alumni testimonials

102. Explore hosting an alumni celebration event

103. Host Boots and BBQ

104. Host GG Talbott Road Race

105. Implement the HealthForce KY Healthcare Educator Innovator Award

106. Repair leaking roof and replace damaged/stained ceiling tiles in Radiography lab

107. Replace the Downtown Campus switchgear

108. Complete Science and Technical Building elevator projects

109. Evaluate replacing flooring in multiple areas (e.g., ACA 114, LRE classrooms, Counseling Center)

110. Replace water damaged ceiling tiles

111. Replace Main Campus exterior water spigots

112. Repair hail storm damage to greenhouse and Downtown Campus

113. Complete HVAC Project Phase I and begin Phase II

114. Identify and explore replacement of damaged and non-ADA compliant furniture in classrooms and common areas

115. Paint Main Campus building names

116. Replace all Main Campus doors

117. Replace chairs in ATC 107

118. Explore adding benches outside Science Building

119. Expand recycling efforts on campus

120. Host Trade Wars 2025

121. Participate in Going Pro 2025

122. Promote student clubs

123. Launch QEP marketing campaign

124. Promote OCTC Nature Center

125. Add directional signage in Main Campus parking lots

126. Create new marketing materials for the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) designation removing the National Security Agency logo

127. Spotlight faculty and staff that are also OCTC alumni

128. Utilize the CDL Semi and Cobra at events (e.g., Daviess County Lions Club Fair)

129. Host events to strengthen faculty and staff relationships, including tricycle races, speed meetings, and competitions

130. Feature faculty and staff who began with an associate degree and progressed to their current position

131. Encourage faculty and staff to showcase swag from their four-year alma mater

132. Showcase the external services in which employees are involved

133. Produce a "Trade Wars "marketing video

134. Utilize HealthForce One Mobile Lab in Trade Wars event

135. Create marketing materials to promote engaging elective courses

136. Complete the necessary repairs to the Main Campus lake

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 2025-26

137. Foster Advanced Manufacturing's partnership with Kaiser Aluminum

138. Seek community partnerships to support campus events and fundraisers

139. Explore untapped trades (e.g., plumbing, carpentry) for potential adult training programs

140. Select student representatives from each program to take part in program-specificrecruitment events

141. Expand community use of the Acorn Theater, Dayman Gallery, and Bluegrass Music recording studio

142. Designate specific days for prospective students to shadow classes and participate in events

143. Seek grant funding to support the offering of summer camps

144. Launch HealthForce Kentucky "Healthcare in a Box" initiative

145. Leverage the HealthForce KY Innovation Center to promote and recruit for healthcare careers

146. Increase awareness of the Career and Life Skills program

147. Create a tour video for the Computerized Manufacturing and Machining Technology Program

148. Promote the Work & Learn model for Automotive Technology

149. Produce videos showcasing various departments (e.g., Student Services, Counseling Center)

150. Enhance recruitment initiatives for adult learners (e.g., organize a program fair specifically tailored to their needs)

151. Develop video vignettes featuring labs and simulations, NOCTI scores, job placement rates, and starting salaries

152. Create a marketing campaign that highlights the OCTC student experience, featuring exceptional faculty, strong student services support, a variety of student clubs, creative opportunities, renowned guest speakers, study abroad programs, and more

153. Leverage the Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation to promote the Computer Information Technologies Program

154. Organize a Demonstration Fair where students can experience firsthand the various career

paths available

155. Host Super Saturday (family programming) events

156. Explore new opportunities for continuing the Academic Career Exploration program

157. Explore offering high school focused STEAM camps

158. Identify local employers who hire individuals with an AA/AS degree

159. Highlight and inform students of employers offering tuition benefits

160. Recruit students upon completing the Reentry Success Program

161. Achieve OCTC annual fundraising goal