A wide range of topics garnered discussion during the Flint Hills Technical College Board of Trustees meeting Monday evening.
During the college update portion of the meeting, FHTC President Dr. Dean Hollenbeck brought up the topic of an economic impact study, which the institution is preparing to undergo in the near future. The purpose of the study is to measure the college’s impact on the regional economy and workforce. Dr. Hollenbeck says the study will provide several important pieces of information which includes the college’s rate of return on investment.
The study will be conducted by Economic Modeling Specialists International LLC, of Moscow, Idaho. Hollenbeck says there is a reason as to why the college chose to utilize an out of state entity to conduct the study. He explains the use of an “outside group” will “give the numbers more credibility.”
According to Hollenbeck, the entire study could take up to six months to complete. There is currently no set date for when the study will begin, however, he tells KVOE News it is not far off.
In other business, the board reviewed the 2019 academic year annual assessment. The report contains collected data from various levels of the institution allowing for the administration to reference the information to help make the most beneficial decisions for the institution as well as its students and stakeholders.
The information included a look at the institution’s four-year assessment implementation plan, course assessments, certification pass rates, institutional student learning outcomes and much more. According to Hollenbeck, overall the assessment is showing positive trends and numbers for the college. He says everything encompassed in the assessment are many of the same items the Higher Learning Commission — the governing body from which the college gains accreditation — look at when evaluating institutions.
Additionally, discussions took place on the fiscal year 2020 Perkins Program Improvement Grant Plan and the opening of a bank account for the Garnett AMT Program. Officer elections and the approval of financial reports also took place.
