Strategic Area 1: Student Success

Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac Data. FHTC again found itself among the Top 10 of all associate-degree granting institutions (approximately 850) for graduation rates. This recognition is based on data collected annually and includes graduation rates of first-time, full-time, degree-seeking or certificate-seeking students who began classes in the fall of 2017 and completed their education, either with an associate degree or certificate, within three years. It’s the third straight year FHTC has achieved top-10 status for three-year graduation rates.
Adjunct-Biology Students. Erica Huggard, teacher with USD253, was a finalist for the Kansas Regional Teacher of the Year. She is now a Finalist for the Kansas Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science. The College and our students are honored to have Erica share her knowledge with our students in the General Biology and Anatomy & Physiology courses -- critical courses to our healthcare programming. And to that point...
The Dental Hygiene program posted a 100% pass rate for HYG Program for the 2022 class.
The Practical Nursing program, according to Mountain Measurement, Inc., is ranked 1 out of 21 programs in their related jurisdiction and 1 out of 1,107 from all programs across every jurisdiction based on the percentage of graduates passing the NCLEX.
The HCA Culinary Program students and faculty earned bragging rights when they won the Judges' Choice Award at the Food-a-Palooza event at the Flint Hills Mall-VisitEmporia food truck rally in September.

Strategic Area 2: Employee Development and Support

The Kansas Council for Workforce Education recognized these FHTC employees October 4 at a luncheon in Lawrence.
- Kenda O'Mara - KCWE Leadership award for 2022 for "Excellence in Teaching". This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding teaching abilities and dedicated commitment to career and technical education.
- Casey Wilson - KCWE Leadership award for 2022 for "Outstanding New Teacher". This award recognizes a faculty member who has less than five years' teaching experience and has demonstrated outstanding teaching abilities and dedicated commitment to career and technical education.
- Kim Dhority - KCWE Leadership award for 2022 "Exemplary Service". This award recognizes a KCWE Board Member or officer who has provided exemplary service to the organization
The Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers recognized (KACRAO) Bryan Crouch with the Beth Tedrow Outstanding New Professional Award. “This award is presented to an individual who has been in the Admissions, Records, Registrar or Enrollment Management profession for less than six years and is an active KACRAO member having served on at least one association committee. The recipient must also be involved in one or more campus committees. This award recognizes new professionals for achievements, involvement and potential in admissions and registration.”
Master Agreement Task Force teams continue to meet in preparation of an in-depth discussion on the Master Agreement. Those formal discussions begin in November. Leslie Seely serves as the Board liaison for this effort.
A luncheon Employee Q & A is scheduled October 24 to provide faculty and staff the opportunity to share questions related to College initiatives, such as Esports, Early Childhood, Coffey County, Welding, etc.

Strategic Area 3: Optimized Programs and Facilities

Financial Aid, Business Office, Foundation Audit. The annual audit disclosed no findings, and while no findings is significant, what is additionally worthy of note is the financial aid audit. The College had challenges in the Financial Aid department a few years ago. It responded to the need with additional resources, and this year, the department had 80 student files reviewed by the auditors, and no errors were found. Kudos to the continued excellence that all of our financial positions exhibit. The auditors made a point to note the professionalism of the Business Office staff and Nancy Thompson's leadership.
Please plan to visit the Manufacturing Week Open House event October 12 from 4-6 p.m. to showcase the Industrial Engineering, Computerized Machine Tool, and Welding Technology programs.

Strategic Area 4: Dynamic Partnerships

ESSDACK Career Planning Expo. FHTC, the Chamber and ESU will promote programming, industry, and the community November 1 and 2 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. This consortia effort will have significant square footage together to showcase the region's assets to Kansas-wide school students. To date, 4,519 students are registered to attend this event. The College has 11+ Program faculty ready to respond to students' questions and Admissions Representatives will offer additional student services information. Of the 145 booths, approximately 15 Emporia businesses will also be staged with the Emporia sector -- making the Emporia presence representing almost 20% of the presenters.
Shonda Atwater, Director of Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship (RAs) met with FHTC and representatives of Newman Regional Health and Coffey Health Systems to discuss the establishment and feasibility of healthcare registered apprenticeships. She then presented Registered Apprenticeships to the Program Advisory Committee members at the PAC dinner.

October 10, 2022 Meeting

Meeting Information