ANNUAL REPO RT FAYET TE VILLE TECHNI CAL C O MMUNIT Y C O LLEGE 2016-17 WE ARE THE TROJANS FTCC relaunched the Trojan Athletics Program in 2016 with Women's Basketball, Men's Basketball, and Men's and Women's Golf. ON THE COVER: The Trojan Men's Basketball Team celebrates winning the final game of the season in March 2017. INSIDE SPREAD: The Trojan Women's Basketball Team cheers with Coach Eric Tucker after his 300th coaching win. Ann ual Rep o r t CONTENTS Thoughts from President Keen 1 Year in Review 4 Athletics Spotlight 8 Military Perspective 16 Faculty and Staff Spotlight 18 Numbers at a Glance 22 Alumni Feature 24 Foundation News 26 32Donor Circles "No doubt, my greatest joy ... pertains to seeing personal, positive growth occur when students ... engage — and succeed — in classes at Fayetteville Tech. " — Dr. J. Larry Keen President, Fayetteville Technical Community College Dear Supporter of FTCC — Many wonderful activities and events are always occurring at Fayetteville Technical Community College. As President of the College, I take great pleasure in seeing the everyday accomplishments that occur across many different areas throughout the campus. No doubt, my greatest joy — the one that consistently surpasses all others — pertains to seeing personal, positive growth occur when students enroll in classes and engage — and succeed — in activities at Fayetteville Tech. There are many reasons why Fayetteville Technical Community College is the smart choice for education. The diverse characteristics of our student population are impressive. Fayetteville Tech serves high school juniors and seniors through High School Connections, providing opportunities for high school students to earn college academic credits at no tuition expense to them. Soldiers, veterans, and military family members also share a pres- tigious presence on our Military-Friendly® and Best for Vets campus where programs of study build on military training and experience. Fayetteville Tech brought athletics back to the campus in the fall of 2016 with men’s and women’s basketball and golf. Plans are under way to expand our athletics programs during 2017-2018. But in the larger scope, every student at FTCC is a valued member of the student body; the combined talents and characteristics from all students weave an intricate pattern that uniquely marks the true measures of success at Fayetteville Tech. With more than 250 curriculum programs of study to choose from—as well as programs of study in Adult High School and Corporate & Continuing Education, students have a broad selection of choice in the areas of business, engineering, automotive technology, public service, applied technology, and health programs. FTCC continuously assesses new opportunities based on community interest as well as input from employers on training needs. We respond by adding new programs of study and classes. College transfer programs allow students a seamless transfer of their associate degree academic credits to a four-year college and money-savings on tuition. Research indicates that FTCC transfer students perform very well in the four-year college environment. Some of the programs at FTCC are 100 percent online, adding convenient, flexible options for students. These thoughts represent only a fraction of the unique experiences available at your community college to promote hope, opportunity, and success. I invite you to engage with us at our beautiful campus locations in Fayetteville, Spring Lake, and Fort Bragg or visit our website for virtual tours. You will soon discover why FTCC truly is “the smart choice” for education. Sincerely, Dr. J. Larry Keen President Tho ug h ts f ro m P res iden t K een 1 FT C C B O ARD O F TR US TEES Mr. Charles E. Koonce Mr. Ronald Crosby Dr. Dallas Mack Freeman Mr. Hilton T. Hutchens, Jr. Board Chair Mrs. Delores P. Ingram Dr. Marye J. Jeffries Mrs. Sheryl J. Lewis Mr. Charles Harrell Dr. Linwood Powell Mrs. Esther Rabano Thompson Mr. William S. Wellons, Jr. Mr. David R. Williford Dear Friend — I have learned over the years, through my valued relationship with FTCC, that a day spent at this College is truly a day filled with hope and invitation. In 1964, I began a 34-year career at FTCC as an instructor of mathematics. Throughout the years, I served in a variety of roles including Registrar, Director of Adult Continuing Education, Director of Admissions, Director of Student Services, Director of Fort Bragg Continuing Education, and Director of the Small Business Center. In 2007, I received a great honor to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees. For the past two years, I have served as Chairman of the Board. These personal experiences at FTCC have given me unique opportunities to learn about the positive role the College executes daily throughout the community but also globally by giving individuals hope and changing lives in positive ways. My experiences have allowed me to meet many wonderful individuals — youth seeking a high school diploma or higher education; individuals seeking new job skills due to changing workplace technology or those displaced from their jobs seeking skills to help them re-enter the workplace; soldiers, veterans, and military family members wishing to enhance their lifestyles through greater learning. These opportunities represent the highlights of my career, and I feel so very fortunate to say that FTCC has been and is a very important part of my life. As you read this annual report, you will see only a snapshot of the many examples of ways FTCC effects positive change for others. I am proud to say that Fayetteville Technical Community College — a place very dear to me — represents for many the pathway to hope, opportunities, and a brighter future. Thank you most sincerely for your continued support of this great college. Charles E. Koonce, Chairman Board of Trustees 3 HIGHLIGHTS 2016 Top Ranking Veteran Top Choice In 2016, FTCC was ranked third nationally by Military Times in its 'Best for Vets: Career & Technical Colleges' for 2017. The annual rankings factor in the results of Military Times’ comprehensive school-by-school survey of veteran and military student offerings and rates of academic achievement. Philanthropy Support from the Gene Haas Foundation In August, the Gene Haas Foundation donated $15,000 to the College as a grant to support student scholarships. The scholarships are given to qualifying students enrolled in a machining-based training program at the college level. Haas' commitment to the importance of U.S. manufacturing has incited him to grow his personal foundation and direct his foundation board to focus on manufacturing education in the form of scholarships for Computer Numerically Controlled machinist training. Corporate & Continuing Education Enrollment and Expansion Climbs Corporate & Continuing Education raised the bar to serve more than 20,500 students and graduated 230 students from the Adult High School Program. The Corporate & Continuing Education branch offers more than 2,300 classes and has been expanding online and distance learning options to reach even more students. New projects during the year included customized training with eClerx, a partnership with Mastec, growth in the Caliber Train- ing Center, and expansions in the ACE Program. Military Perspective First Fort Bragg Paramedic Graduation The first class of the Fort Bragg Paramedic Course graduated from FTCC on October 20, 2016. The class began in January 2016 with 28 active duty soldiers from Army 68 Whiskey Combat Medics and two employees with Fort Bragg Emergency Services. The course consisted of 600 hours of didactic and 600 hours of internship (which required 300 hours each in a hospital setting and Field EMS). Upon completing the course, students were eligible to take the North Carolina State and National Registry Paramedic License Exams. 2016/17 National College Recognition STEM Jobs Approved College Awarded by Victory Media, Inc. Digital Community Colleges Survey 4th in the Nation Ranked by Center for Digital Education National Winner The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge College of Excellence Award Top Ten Gold Military Friendly School Top School Ranked #3 Nationally Awarded by Military Advanced Education & by Military Times Best for Vets Transition Guide 44 Curriculum Achievements Top Ranking by National Center for Digital Education This year, FTCC was ranked 4th nationally by the Center for Digital Education in the large College Category (+10,000 students) in their 12th annual Digital Community Colleges Survey. This survey recognized how community colleges use digital technologies to improve services to students, faculty, staff, and the community at large. Notable Dedication Horticulture Educational Center Renamed In January, the FTCC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to rename the Horticulture Educational Center as the Wesley A. Meredith Horticulture Educational Center. Wesley Meredith is a third-term Senator of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state’s 19th Senatorial District which includes Cumberland County. “Wesley Meredith’s course of life underscores the relevance of community colleges in North Carolina,” said President Dr. J. Larry Keen. “Wesley graduated from Fayetteville Tech, spent time honorably serving his country through the US Army, and later established his own small business ... His service to his community, our state, and to FTCC is admirable and serves as his way of giving back to those who helped him chart out his journey of life. The renaming of the Horticulture Educational Center to reflect the name of Wesley A. Meredith is a fitting tribute to one who actively engages in support of education in general, and more specifically, in support of the pathway of North Carolina’s community colleges in achieving success.” Grand Openings 2017 FTCC Educational Center Opens The FTCC Educational Center opened in March. The Center is designed to help those seeking secondary and post-secondary academic advancement and improvement in employability skills. Additionally, the Education Center provides services such as Make the Grade, Assessments & Testing, Human Resource Development, and Accessing Career Education. All of the programs are geared to provide individuals with the foundational skills that are critical to employment in the workplace. Classes are offered face to face, on and off campus, online, and during the daytime and evenings. Veteran Centered GI Bill Approved In July of 2017, the College was approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Bill Education Enhancement Program. The program permits FTCC and the VA to provide matching funds to cover all or a portion of the outstanding amount of charges not covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 55 Next >