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 2023-24

1. Explore methods to improve the process of awarding credit for prior learning
2. Convert an existing faculty position from Communications to Technical Theatre
3. Offer Technical Theatre Certificate through competency-based education
4. Attain 100% online full-time faculty certification
5. Academic Affairs to assess winter and summer session course offerings
6. Implement a revised online quality assurance process
7. Examine accessibility of online courses
8. Offer Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Certification in Auto Tech program
9. Explore opportunities to develop AMTEC curricula for electric vehicle battery manufacturing
10. Explore offering 2nd Bi-term FYE Course in fall and spring semesters
11. Academic Affairs to submit CDL Professional Certificate (16 credit hours) for Senate approval
12. Continue to monitor federal regulations regarding Second Chance Pell
13. Explore offering additional language courses including American Sign Language in-person and online
14. Seek opportunities to embed ALIGN recommendations in both educational delivery and student support services
15. Review D, E, W rates in general education gateway courses and technical courses
16. Research utilization of Mastery-Based Grading in five general education courses
17. Explore implementation of guided pathways
18. Offer African American History and African American Literature courses
19. Offer Fabrication Technician Certificate (upon Senate approval)
20. Provide professional development for Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) in online courses
21. Investigate addition of Aquaculture
22. Explore offering a competency-based electrical certificate
23. Implement competency-based welding certificate
24. Develop a Welding Program with language proficiency supports for ESL students
25. Explore other potential new healthcare-related programs (e.g., Medical Lab Technician, Biomedical Equipment Maintenance, Infusion and Catheterization Technicians, Nuclear Medicine Technicians, Advanced Imaging Technicians, Dental Hygiene, Respiratory Care, and Advanced EMT)
26. Explore offering Specialty Healthcare Certifications
27. Explore offering Graphic Design Certification
28. Explore options to increase virtual reality in classrooms (e.g., VR simulator for Criminal Justice Program)
29. Explore ways to increase female participation in technical, high wage-earning programs

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 2023-24

1. Explore offering New Student Orientation in spring semester
2. Conduct student satisfaction survey throughout various times, not just graduation
3. Create social group for students with disabilities
4. Expand collaborations with federal, state, private, and faith-based organizations to provide comprehensive ESL learner services
5. Provide program cards and recruiting materials in Spanish
6. Increase efforts to implement and promote Handshake across campus
7. Develop pathways for the Commonwealth West Healthcare Workforce Innovation Center
8. Participate in KY CPE Student Basic Needs Action Network
9. Encourage students to attend future Regional Diversity Conferences
10. Increase opportunities for student campus engagement (e.g., outdoor gaming area, Pi Day, Scrabble, recreational reading group, etc.)
11. Enhance onboarding of incoming students through the KY CPE Community College Research Center (CCRC) ACIP process
12. Expand early intervention opportunities with further application of Starfish
13. Explore partnership with Unite Us
14. Explore "cafeteria style" food service options
15. Increase participation in Career & Life Skills Certificate
16. Improve ADA accessibility to building entrances
17. Develop advisor training sessions to address serving URM students, students with disabilities, and first-generation students
18. Enhance academic advisor training on transfer options for General Education Certification
19. Increase the number of KES and ADA compliant courses
20. Increase student awareness of value of PTK transfer scholarship
21. Expand tutoring options available to students
22. Utilize KY Humanitarian Assistance Scholarship to recruit and support refugee students
23. Host the annual Artificial Insemination certification course (Veterinary Technology and Agriculture)
24. Research options to address student accounts with past due balances including a debt payback forgiveness program (like West KY)
25. Explore ways to minimize debt for adult and dual credit students
26. Provide dedicated support for international students
27. Designate SkillTrain Liaison as first point of contact for refugee students
28. Offer Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) as BB Module in all courses
29. Explore providing an on-campus ATM
30. Explore re-establishing the Multicultural Student Association
31. Reinvigorate ELC news update video series
32. Create Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Mentorship Program to help underserved population on SAP appeals
33. Provide access to ESL interpreter services
34. Research options to streamline student check-in process in Student Services
35. Strengthen Wi-Fi and cellular service across all campus spaces
36. Conduct student media preferences survey
37. Explore options to improve acoustics in Pathfinder Den
38. Host KY CPE Graduate Profile Academy Assurance of Learning Day II
39. Explore options for recording essential skill development through badges in Handshake or Merit
40. Promote WKU's Workforce Administration bachelor's degree to AAS graduates
41. Promote availability of lactation privacy room
42. Implement UNITE US Software
43. Utilize scholarship awarding platform in Blackbaud RENXT Software

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 2023-24

1. Establish KWC transfer guide for secondary education
2. Develop an academic advisor training session about transfer advising for technical program students
3. Increase faculty participation in WKU-O "Hilltopper for a Day"
4. Evaluate and revamp transfer academic advising
5. Explore working with KWC on Graphic Design transfer pathway
6. Increase high school partner awareness of the Graduate Profile Academy 10 Essential Skills
7. Increase awareness of transfer opportunities for URM students
8. Increase awareness of transfer opportunities for all students
9. Provide transfer information at New Student Orientation
10. Conduct additional university tours for URM students

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 2023-24

1. Continue to seek opportunities to expand the Detention Center Re-entry Success Program to include hands-on learning
2. Expand Work & Learn Models into additional programs
3. Launch Commonwealth West Healthcare Workforce Innovation Center
4. Increase the number of experiential learning opportunities (ELOs) available to students
5. Build additional ELT "pre-program" Technical Bridge courses to support ESL students
6. Expand national AMTEC outreach regarding new courses, credentials, and equipment
7. Implement "Employer Make a Match" into additional programs
8. Expand utilization of subject matter experts in classrooms
9. Expand GO CAREERS into additional programs
10. Hire Commercial HVAC instructor
11. Host HVAC Alumni and Employer Night
12. Incorporate experiential learning into academic advising process
13. Evaluate optimizing experiential course credit for work experience/credit for prior learning
14. Partner with Owensboro Innovation Academy on building pathways into skilled trades
15. Develop plumbing apprenticeships
16. Recruit students for Workforce Solutions Greater Owensboro Electrical Apprenticeship Program
17. Renew revised MOA with Project Badge

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 2023-24

1. Explore opportunities to add additional door and wall wraps on Main Campus
2. Expand utilization of Archibus room reservation system
3. Launch faculty and staff blog
4. Complete Campus Center exterior stairway project (planter boxes)
5. Utilize CDL truck at events
6. Celebrate Community College Month (April)
7. Explore development of a "welcome center" utilizing student ambassadors to provide directional and parking information to improve the campus visitor experience
8. Replace worn and damaged furniture in common areas
9. Encourage participation in CPE Cultural Competency Certification Micro-credentials
10. Utilize digital signage to recognize and welcome campus guests and visitors
11. Develop integrated calendar for all events (fairs, recruitment and outreach events, tours, etc.)
12. Add faculty and staff headshots to online directory
13. Finish Academic Building updates including landscaping
14. Consider options for flexible work schedules (e.g., flexible work hours, four-day work week, remote work)
15. Provide training on Microsoft Outlook focused inbox
16. Refresh Foundation webpage
17. Complete HVAC replacement project phase I
18. Add campus directional signage to IIC lot
19. Explore ways to increase presence of Pathfinder at events
20. Repair Large Animal Facility signage
21. Replace exterior doors at Main Campus
22. Implement new Master Plan
23. Explore options for an on-campus fitness facility or discounted rates at local gyms
24. Update parking lot lighting schedule
25. Agriculture Technology program to participate in Agriculture Expo
26. Create a Pathfinder Educator Guide
27. Finish pdf, Word, Excel free website project
28. Create program videos
29. Refresh building name letters on Main Camus
30. Refresh side of Academic Building facing parking lot
31. Explore continuation of Cultural Competency Workgroup
32. Explore repainting of Main Campus mall area
33. Explore repairing unlevel sidewalks on Main Campus
34. Repair/replace accessibility pavers by P5 (Academic Lot)
35. Replace outdoor flags and banners at all campuses
36. Explore replacing Main Campus gutters
37. Examine longevity of student computers in Pathfinder Den, START Center, and Financial Aid
38. Seal and stripe additional parking lots
39. Explore adding security cameras in parking lots
40. Shoot new recruiting material including photos and videos
41. Create signage in Campus Center for gaming systems
42. Complete Southeast Campus surveillance camera updates
43. Automotive Technology program to host Sunset Cruisers Cruise-In
44. Update Campus Center graphics and signage
45. Update Donor Wall in ATC building
46. Update old and broken classroom furniture (chair desks, chairs with deteriorating wheels)
47. Update program webpages
48. Upgrade all fire alarm panels throughout campus
49. Upgrade kitchen in Campus Center
50. Upgrade library security systems
51. Develop webpage for the START Center

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 2023-24

1. Increase the number of experiential learning opportunity (ELO) external placement sites
2. Promote advanced credentials to students that earned a GED or short-term credentials
3. Participate with Beverly's Hearty Slice
4. Increase efforts to achieve the SEM Key Performance Indicators
5. Participate in Construction Career Day
6. Participate in CPE TechX Bridge program
7. Explore development of new professional promotional videos
8. Explore engaging students through a fun activity during Pathfinder Day (e.g., mini scavenger hunt)
9. Enhance and expand OCTC Program Fair
10. Explore communication opportunities with high school students
11. Explore feasibility of launching Department of Education's Fresh Start Initiative at OCTC
12. Host enrollment event for prospective Latinx/Hispanic student populations
13. Host the Seventh Annual Girls Empowerment Trail Blazer event
14. Host the Seventh Annual OCTC Donor Celebration
15. Increase consistency of recruitment materials on tables at college and/or career fairs (e.g., tablecloths, view books, tabletop banners, minimal number of rack cards, etc.)
16. Increase number of dual credit students that enroll as full-time students following graduation
17. Increase shadow day opportunities for students to explore program areas of interest
18. Increase transfer rates
19. Install electric vehicle charging station
20. Purchase new technology for recruiting (e.g., simulators, virtual reality, etc.)
21. Host CDL Academy open house with Owensboro Riverport Authority
22. Partner with Breaking the Cycle for mentorship opportunities
23. Explore sending personalized notes to students
24. Plan standardized virtual tours of various lengths, focused on different guided pathway areas
25. Have a SkillTrain Program Fair
26. Research a recruitment tracking tool to track and distribute data relevant to return on investment on students enrolling after participating in tours, fairs, etc. (Do these events = student enrollment?) Possibly use Radius?
27. Explore having a Trade Wars event
28. Utilize Cobra II car in community and recruiting events
29. Award TTMA Community Workforce Development Scholarship