As the spring semester comes to an end at Flint Hills Technical College, administrators say they are pleased with how both staff and students responded to the major changes that hit them two months ago.
As part of Tech Talk with President Dean Hollenbeck on Tuesday, Vice President of Instruction Steve Loewen said the switch from the traditional classroom setting to remote education went well — but he’s looking forward to seeing students back in classrooms by August, if everything works out.
One adjustment that may be needed if COVID-19 returns this fall is a faster emphasis on Adobe Connect, a video chat platform that works with other college software. Loewen also says the college worked to find the right communication method to reach the most students, whether it was text, email, social media or phone calls.
As the college continues that work, it also has to plan for the possible impacts of COVID-19 on enrollment and the budget. The college’s Board of Trustees discussed adjustments during its monthly meeting Monday, but Hollenbeck stressed the current projections are for at least flat enrollment at the start of the semester if enrollment doesn’t actually increase. Part of Hollenbeck’s thought process is rooted in past economic and enrollment trends.
In the meantime, the college has adjusted plans for spring commencement, which was supposed to be this upcoming weekend at White Auditorium. There will be a virtual graduation this upcoming Saturday, with online activities starting at 8 am and the ceremony starting at 10 am on www.fhtc.edu. The nurse pinning ceremony is June 25.
