Title III Synopsis
Title III is a federal grant focused on strengthening institutions. LCCC has received a Five (5) year grant for $1,939,000.00 or between $342,866 and $399,138.00 per year. The grant begins October 1st, 2009 with a budget of $399,138.00.
There are specific items that must be purchased, personnel hired, and tasks to be accomplished in each year of the grant. It is imperative that LCCC adhere to the grant guidelines "measurables and deliverables", in order to remain eligible for other federal grants. However, it may be possible in the later years of the grant that LCCC can re-budget and re-direct remaining grant funds to other pressing needs of the college which meets the goals of the original grant.
Goal and Objectives: To increase the persistence rate of LCCC students at Dedicated Centers, Evening students, and Week-end students. This will be accomplished by the following objectives: a) providing consistent student support services through the hiring of two Title III Coordinators. They will provide services directly or through enhanced technology, b) increase the availability of professional development for adjunct faculty using the same enhanced technology, and c) increase enhanced technology at the Dedicated Centers.
Below is a bulleted list of some expenditures and tasks that must be completed in each year of the grant.
Activity 1 *Hire two Title III Coordinators: (THEY WILL BE TRAINED IN FINANCIAL AID, COUNSELING, ADVISING, ADMISSIONS. THESE COORDINATORS WILL TRAIN DEDICATED SITE STAFF. THEY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE IN THE EVENING TO ANSWER ANY PRESSING QUESTIONS FROM STAFF AND STUDENTS. THE COORDINATORS WILL TRAVEL AMONG THE DEDICATED SITES. THE ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY WILL ALLOW THEM TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH ALL DEDICATED CENTERS. THE COORDINATORS WILL ALSO DEVELOP AND COORDINATE STUDENT TUTORING). One Coordinator will be funded/paid by college funds starting Year 5.
*Hire student tutors (Coordinated and trained by Title III Coordinators)
Activity 2 *Hire 1 Title III Specialist: (THIS PERSON WILL ASSIST THE TITLE III PROJECT DIRECTOR WITH TRACKING, MAINTAINING RECORDS AND PREPARING REPORTS REQUIRED BY THE GRANT).
Activity 3 *Hire 1 Title III Technology Specialist: (THIS PERSON WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE OF THE ENHANCED TECHOLOGY EQUIPMENT, AND THE TRAINING OF DEDICATED SITE STAFF AND FACULTY IN ITS USE. THIS TECHOLOGY INCLUDES: NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE, VIDEO CONFERENCING EQUIPMENT*, LOTUS NOTES COLLABORATION SOFTWARE, IP PHONES, WEB SERVERS, FILE SERVERS, CAMPUS MONITORS). *Purchase identified technology (HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE *In each year of the grant equipment is purchased and installed at a different dedicated site: main campus and Shamokin receive enhanced technology in the first year). *The Technology Specialist will be funded/paid by the college starting Year 4.
Activity 4 *Conduct student and adjunct faculty surveys (Institutional Research, Centers, Staff Development) and Hire an independent Grant Evaluation Consultant. *Travel and Supplies. Outcomes: The outcomes for year 1 include: a) the hiring and training of Title III staff, b) the collection and analysis of data for the evaluation baselines from student and adjunct faculty surveys, c) the purchasing and installation of technology.
Activity 1: The results of persistence rates will show a 2% increase over baseline data. That is, retention will increased by 2%. Data collected by Center Directors, Institutional Research, and faculty.
Activity 2: A student orientation program will be created for all dedicated sites, based on the needs assessment survey. Title III staff, Institutional Research, and Center Directors will be involved. This will be done by Title III staff and Center Directors.
Activity 3: Tutoring services will commence at all dedicated sites. The Tutoring services will be developed and coordinated by Title III staff, Institutional Research, Center Directors.
Activity 4: Title III staff (Coordinators), and IT will develop and implement a training program for all dedicated site staff. And, an online website will be created for adjuncts.
Activity 5: Hazleton and the Health Science Center will receive enhanced technology. Title Project director, IT, and Center Directors will be involved.
Outcomes: A revised student orientation plan will be implemented. Enhanced advising and counseling services will be implemented along with the Tutoring service. The Title III staff will finalize their training program after it is approved by appropriate college departments. The impact of the training program will increase student usage of services by 12.5%. The Title III IT staff will develop the adjunct website. Enhanced technology will be installed and used.
Activity 1: Results of persistence rates will show a 4% increase over baseline data.
Activity 2: Adjunct faculty and Dedicated Site staff will trained on the Early Alert System.
Activity 3: Title III Staff will implement rest of Training program for professional staff. An updated Adjunct Faculty handbook will be developed and put on line. Adjunct faculty will also be provided with greater opportunities for professional development.
Activity 4: Berwick will receive enhanced communication technology.
Activity 5: The General College Endowment fund related to Title III will be started by the LCCC Foundation Board and Resource Development staff.
Outcomes: Impact of training program will show student usage increase of 25% over baseline.
The Adjunct handbook will be updated and put online. Adjunct's poor scores on student satisfaction will decrease from 35% to 23%. Enhanced technology will be installed and used.
Activity 1: Results of persistence rates will show a 6% increase over baseline data.
Activity 2: A website will creates specifically for Off-campus, Weekend, and Evening students. Title III staff, IT staff, Institutional Research, and Center Directors.
Activity 3: A series of workshops related to Adult learner concerns will be developed by Title III staff, IT staff, Institutional Research and Center Directors. Additionally, Adult Learner clubs will be established.
Activity 4: Wilkes-Barre will receive enhanced communication technology.
Activity 5: Continue annually the General college Endowment fund by the LCCC foundation Board and Resource Development staff.
Outcomes: The Title III IT staff person will be hired by the college. Evening, weekend, and off-campus students will have access to significant and pertinent resources specific to them throughout the grant period.
The results of the training programs will show an increase of 37.5% usage by students. The foundation will raise $60,000.00 in matching funds. Enhanced technology will install and used.
Activity 1: Results of the persistence rates will show an 8% increase over baseline data.
Activity 2: Title III staff will continue to implement portions of professional development programs for Dedicated Site staff.
Activity 3: Provide professional development training to Adjunct faculty and at the same time make available to full-time main campus faculty.
Activity 4: Continued growth of General college endowment fund by LCCC foundation Board and Resource Development staff.
Outcomes: One Title III Coordinator will be hired by the college. The LCCC foundation Board will raise $65,000.00 in matching funds. A decrease from 35% to 15% will occur for Adjuncts who have received poor student evaluations. Increase of usage of services by students will be to 50%.