2009 was a successful year for Pratt Community College (PCC) despite the economic downturn and what seemed to be countless periods of uncertainty. The credit for that success is attributed to the support and vision of the Board of Trustees, the leadership and management acumen of the college administration and the dedication and productivity of our employees. Austerity was the guiding operating philosophy throughout 2009, and the results were very apparent. Enrollment growth exceeded five percent in 2009, and this spring 2010 semester will see additional growth. The majority of the 2009-2010 growth is in nursing, allied health and the technical programs.
The Athletic Department, itself, attracted approximately 250 student athletes to PCC. Adding to this number and assuring an 80+ percent retention rate were the result of a well0orchestrated, coordinated team effort of faculty and staff, each making a substantial contribution. In 2009, PCC served almost 2,000 students (unduplicated headcount) with an FTE (full time equivalent) of 1,053 – the highest enrollment in the college’s 70-year history. We are expecting a record spring (2010) enrollment and should see a further increase in August 2010. This would be the result of several 2009 highlights:
1. Introductions of both men’s and women’s soccer programs;
2. Efforts of the PCC eLearning Service Center on West Kellogg Road in Wichita;
3. An increased capacity in the nursing program at PCC’s Winfield, Kansas site
4. A sizeable grant to train nurses for the Kansas Department of Corrections;
5. Newly developed online courses and programs funded by a $1.8 million federal grant;
6. Construction of an apartment-style, 72-bed residence hall to be completed by August 2010.
While many colleges in the state were facing layoffs, salary and benefits reductions and hiring freezes, PCC was able to “weather the storm” even though the college had to undergo budget reductions proportionate to other state institutions.
What made PCC so different?
The difference, as stated earlier, were the faith of our Board, astute management by our administration and the productivity of our employees. There is evidence that the economy is recovering, but also, the prediction is that 2010, too, will be a difficult year. However, the college has positioned itself to deal with these difficulties in a variety of ways – its almost $3 million in cash reserves, help from PCC Foundation assets of slightly over $3 million and increased revenues as a result of predicted enrollment increases.
Together, these conditions will allow the college to accomplish its education and service missions at the same level of high quality for which PCC is known. Even though there may be little or no compensation increases, but, at the same time, there should be no loss of jobs. 2009 was a successful year, and I predict that 2010 will be at least that successful with an opportunity for even more success.
William Wojciechowski is the president of Pratt Community College.
|
|
|
2009 was a successful year for Pratt Community College (PCC) despite the economic downturn and what seemed to be countless periods of uncertainty. The credit for that success is attributed to the support and vision of the Board of Trustees, the leadership and management acumen of the college administration and the dedication and productivity of our employees. Austerity was the guiding operating philosophy throughout 2009, and the results were very apparent. Enrollment growth exceeded five percent in 2009, and this spring 2010 semester will see additional growth. The majority of the 2009-2010 growth is in nursing, allied health and the technical programs.
The Athletic Department, itself, attracted approximately 250 student athletes to PCC. Adding to this number and assuring an 80+ percent retention rate were the result of a well0orchestrated, coordinated team effort of faculty and staff, each making a substantial contribution. In 2009, PCC served almost 2,000 students (unduplicated headcount) with an FTE (full time equivalent) of 1,053 – the highest enrollment in the college’s 70-year history. We are expecting a record spring (2010) enrollment and should see a further increase in August 2010. This would be the result of several 2009 highlights:
1. Introductions of both men’s and women’s soccer programs;
2. Efforts of the PCC eLearning Service Center on West Kellogg Road in Wichita;
3. An increased capacity in the nursing program at PCC’s Winfield, Kansas site
4. A sizeable grant to train nurses for the Kansas Department of Corrections;
5. Newly developed online courses and programs funded by a $1.8 million federal grant;
6. Construction of an apartment-style, 72-bed residence hall to be completed by August 2010.
While many colleges in the state were facing layoffs, salary and benefits reductions and hiring freezes, PCC was able to “weather the storm” even though the college had to undergo budget reductions proportionate to other state institutions.
What made PCC so different?
The difference, as stated earlier, were the faith of our Board, astute management by our administration and the productivity of our employees. There is evidence that the economy is recovering, but also, the prediction is that 2010, too, will be a difficult year. However, the college has positioned itself to deal with these difficulties in a variety of ways – its almost $3 million in cash reserves, help from PCC Foundation assets of slightly over $3 million and increased revenues as a result of predicted enrollment increases.
Together, these conditions will allow the college to accomplish its education and service missions at the same level of high quality for which PCC is known. Even though there may be little or no compensation increases, but, at the same time, there should be no loss of jobs. 2009 was a successful year, and I predict that 2010 will be at least that successful with an opportunity for even more success.
William Wojciechowski is the president of Pratt Community College.
