Advancing Student Success: Strategic Plan 2025-2030

Attention to Safety. The College has had internal leadership discussions related to practices to improve our engagement and interaction with our public service providers. The College experienced back-to-back days when the Emporia Fire Department responded to false alarms, one with culinary kitchen needs and one by a student accidentally pulling a wall-mounted fire alarm during the student pizza luncheon. The Crisis Management team and Professional Development team are partnering for a January 2026 professional development with attention on first aid, stop the bleed training, and communications. We are purchasing plastic guards for the wall-mounted fire pulls. We have reviewed our 911 protocol with additional reminders sent by email to employees, and we are updating and reviewing the Crisis Management Plan and the Emergency Procedure flip charts (both attached).

Strategic Area 1: High Quality Programs Dental Hygiene | Patterson Family Foundation Grant - Mobile Dental Unit. The College and Foundation received a grant from the Patterson Family Foundation in the amount of $111,080 to fund the purchase and implementation of a Mobile Dental Unit for the Dental Hygiene program. The unit will expand access to preventive dental care in rural shortage areas while providing hands-on clinical training for students, strengthening the pipeline of providers serving underserved Kansas communities. Marketing | Finalist for National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) Medallion Awards for District 5 [see ‘screenshot...’ PNG]. Congratulations to Ryann Brooks and Bethany Nilges with Marketing for external recognition of their efforts and talent to support our students' successes throughout our communities. The College is a Medallion Award finalist for logo design and print advertising. NCMPR exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. Program Showcase | Wrangler Friends and Family Day. On a Saturday afternoon, faculty and staff were on campus to answer community members' questions and show off labs and equipment. Thanks to the Foundation for consolidating resources for the Touch a Truck displays. Program Advisory Committees (PA Cs). Program Advisory Committee members volunteer their time and share their professional expertise to ensure our programs continue relevant curriculum, maintain pertinent equipment, and deliver innovative programs. Our students achieve success because of so many variables: high-performing and top-notch faculty and staff, hands-on labs, internship and clinical opportunities, and community and industry support. PA Cs are a critical component to the success of our programs that leads to the subsequent success of our students. Enrollment Fall 2025 Census. The College experienced a 2.28% increase for year-over-year headcount, and the greatest increase was seen with our undergraduate population at 19%. As an example, we are retaining more of our secondary students to complete their associate degrees as postsecondary, undergraduate students. See these additional data.

Total enrollment: 1,835 students (up 41 for a 2.28% increase over 2024). Undergraduate enrollment: 450 students (up 19.4% increase from 377 in 2024) FTE enrollment: 734 students (up from 716 for a 2.5% increase over 2024). You may recall that FTE means how many students are taking the equivalent of 15 credits (30 credits for a year). This is an initiative and enrollment pattern we identify as a growth area ---to increase the credits per semester in which a student enrolls. Dual enrollment (also described in some of our literature as CEP – concurrent enrollment program): 1,385 area high school students. This number reflects the Excel in CTE program that provides free tuition for secondary students enrolling in technical education courses. While we value and appreciate this enrollment – it’s a critical access point for students – the College would like to also see our FTE numbers and our undergraduate / post- secondary population increase.

Strategic Area 2: Well-Supported Employees Constituent Meetings. Chris Wilson represents faculty and Elizabeth Thrailkill represents Classified Staff. In meetings in early October, we discussed various questions and opportunities for further review and consideration. Workforce Innovation Conference: Faculty Recognition. Terry Rhoads was recognized as the Outstanding New Teacher and Lori Moore for her leadership Inside the Field. KCWE New Instructor Workshop: Kenda O’Mara. Kenda led a professional development in early Octobr for 21 new CTE faculty in Dodge City. The participants gained valuable teaching/planning and assessment techniques. Kenda repressents FHTC as a leader with the Kansas Council for Workforce Education. Internal Professional Development.
AI Lunch and Learn. Lori Moore shared AI tips with faculty. Lunch & Learn sessions with different topics are scheduled through the academic year. Grant Training with Jessica Corpening. Jessica delivers training to employees to help us learn about the grant process and ways we can support program initiatives. Session dates included this one in September and others scheduled through the academic year. September 23 at 11:30am in RTEC: Grants Basic Training | December 2 at 11:30am in RTEC: Developing a Strong Project Idea | February 17 at 11:30am in RTEC: Building a Grant Budget | April 21 at 11:30am in RTEC: Post Award Grant Management Kansas Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (KACRAO) Conference! Brenda Carmichael, Ashley Johnson, Taylor Stohs, and Katie Williams represented the College at the Kansas Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers in September. Biometric Screening. Blue Cross Blue Shield offered this health support screening. The Wellness Committee of the College organized and facilitated this service for employees.

Strategic Area 3: Optimized Facilities Conference Kitchen. Rachel Thurman is leading an effort to improve the functionality of the Conference Room Prep Kitchen for both employees and community members who use the space. The renovated space will include a refrigerator and ice machine for employee use and to support those who use the conference room. Other updates in Agenda 9.2.

Strategic Area 4: Strong Partnerships 2nd Annual Beacon for Hope Car Show October 12. Beacon for Hope and St. Mark's Lutheran Church have been strong supporters of our Wrangler Ranch pantry needs. This event is a fundraiser for the pantry as we head into the holiday season. Also, please see the awards Terry Rhoads with the Computerized Machine Tool program fabricated. Each award took approximately 6 hours. The event added 302 food items to the Wrangler Ranch pantry and $300 in donations. Newman Scholarship Award Ceremony. Newman leadership recognized LPN students Miranda Houston and Phoebe Janzzen as recipients of the Hardy Hubbard Memorial Foundation Scholarship and the Bonnie Opal Cunningham Scholarship fund. United Way of the Flint Hills Day of Caring. Twenty FHTC students participated in service-learning projects to support non-profits and organizations in our community. Nissan Pathfinder Donation – Automotive Technology (AMT) Program. The program received the donation in the spring, and Nissan and John North Ford were able to schedule a time this fall to allow the College to extend to Nissan the College's appreciation for the donation.

Advancing Student Success: Strategic Plan 2025-2030

Attention to Safety. The College has had internal leadership discussions related to practices to improve our engagement and interaction with our public service providers. The College experienced back-to-back days when the Emporia Fire Department responded to false alarms, one with culinary kitchen needs and one by a student accidentally pulling a wall-mounted fire alarm during the student pizza luncheon. The Crisis Management team and Professional Development team are partnering for a January 2026 professional development with attention on first aid, stop the bleed training, and communications. We are purchasing plastic guards for the wall-mounted fire pulls. We have reviewed our 911 protocol with additional reminders sent by email to employees, and we are updating and reviewing the Crisis Management Plan and the Emergency Procedure flip charts (both attached).

Strategic Area 1: High Quality Programs Dental Hygiene | Patterson Family Foundation Grant - Mobile Dental Unit. The College and Foundation received a grant from the Patterson Family Foundation in the amount of $111,080 to fund the purchase and implementation of a Mobile Dental Unit for the Dental Hygiene program. The unit will expand access to preventive dental care in rural shortage areas while providing hands-on clinical training for students, strengthening the pipeline of providers serving underserved Kansas communities. Marketing | Finalist for National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) Medallion Awards for District 5 [see ‘screenshot...’ PNG]. Congratulations to Ryann Brooks and Bethany Nilges with Marketing for external recognition of their efforts and talent to support our students' successes throughout our communities. The College is a Medallion Award finalist for logo design and print advertising. NCMPR exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. Program Showcase | Wrangler Friends and Family Day. On a Saturday afternoon, faculty and staff were on campus to answer community members' questions and show off labs and equipment. Thanks to the Foundation for consolidating resources for the Touch a Truck displays. Program Advisory Committees (PA Cs). Program Advisory Committee members volunteer their time and share their professional expertise to ensure our programs continue relevant curriculum, maintain pertinent equipment, and deliver innovative programs. Our students achieve success because of so many variables: high-performing and top-notch faculty and staff, hands-on labs, internship and clinical opportunities, and community and industry support. PA Cs are a critical component to the success of our programs that leads to the subsequent success of our students. Enrollment Fall 2025 Census. The College experienced a 2.28% increase for year-over-year headcount, and the greatest increase was seen with our undergraduate population at 19%. As an example, we are retaining more of our secondary students to complete their associate degrees as postsecondary, undergraduate students. See these additional data.

Total enrollment: 1,835 students (up 41 for a 2.28% increase over 2024). Undergraduate enrollment: 450 students (up 19.4% increase from 377 in 2024) FTE enrollment: 734 students (up from 716 for a 2.5% increase over 2024). You may recall that FTE means how many students are taking the equivalent of 15 credits (30 credits for a year). This is an initiative and enrollment pattern we identify as a growth area ---to increase the credits per semester in which a student enrolls. Dual enrollment (also described in some of our literature as CEP – concurrent enrollment program): 1,385 area high school students. This number reflects the Excel in CTE program that provides free tuition for secondary students enrolling in technical education courses. While we value and appreciate this enrollment – it’s a critical access point for students – the College would like to also see our FTE numbers and our undergraduate / post- secondary population increase.

Strategic Area 2: Well-Supported Employees Constituent Meetings. Chris Wilson represents faculty and Elizabeth Thrailkill represents Classified Staff. In meetings in early October, we discussed various questions and opportunities for further review and consideration. Workforce Innovation Conference: Faculty Recognition. Terry Rhoads was recognized as the Outstanding New Teacher and Lori Moore for her leadership Inside the Field. KCWE New Instructor Workshop: Kenda O’Mara. Kenda led a professional development in early Octobr for 21 new CTE faculty in Dodge City. The participants gained valuable teaching/planning and assessment techniques. Kenda repressents FHTC as a leader with the Kansas Council for Workforce Education. Internal Professional Development.

FHTC Board of Trustees

Meeting Information

Supporting Documents