QEP Update:

Recently, summaries resulting from the Quality Enhancement Retreat have been distributed via e-mail to all A-B Tech employees. These comments, a collection of college-wide input on the "invitability" of A-BTech's people, places, programs, policies and processes were an essential first step in meeting the SACS-mandated requirements of the Quality Enhancement Plan process.

What's next? Now that we've been reminded of all that A-B Tech is doing exceptionally well, we will ask employees to focus in on related challenges and specific opportunities for improvement at the QE Retreat II in February, 2003. From there, measurable objectives will be set, corresponding plans of action will be determined, and a method will be created to assess progress toward those objectives. Why? So that A-BTech can meet the goal of "Developing Strategies for Student Success through Invitational Education." All of these steps and the resulting course of action will be outlined and discussed in the Quality Enhancement Plan, due Jan. 12, 2004.

Meanwhile, I and several QE Team Members have been visiting committee, department and division meetings to heighten awareness about Invitational Education and to answer questions about the Quality Enhancement Plan. At any point during this process, please feel free to contact members of the Quality Enhancement Team to answer your questions as well as to relay your ideas, suggestions, etc. back to the team. Below is a list of Quality Enhancement Team members and their area of representation. We continue to look forward to hearing from you! Thanks. Deborah Lonon,Team Leader, Quality Enhancement Plan

Q-Tips

Last month, Q-Tips brought you the first corner of the "4-Corner Press" - some invitational ways to enrich our lives personally and professionally. The 4 Corners include: "Being Personally Inviting with Oneself," "Being Professionally Inviting with Oneself," Being Personally Inviting with Others," and "Being Professionally Inviting with Others."

Today's Q-Tip focuses on: "Being Professionally Inviting with Oneself." Here are some ideas from various writings by Purkey, Novak, Stanley, Siegel and others (plus a few of our own!) We'd love to hear your ideas, too!

• Instructors: Try something new in your classroom: One idea - ask for a "Minute Paper" at the end of class - "What was the most important thing you learned during the class?" or "What was the most important question that remains unanswered?" (collecting these from each student at the end of class eliminates the need for taking roll at the beginning!)
• Supervisors: ask for an anonymous evaluation on how are you doing
• Sit in on a colleague's class
• Write an article for a journal or newsletter
• Read professional journals
• Invite a professional mentor to lunch
• Read (or re-read) a classic text from your field
• Attend a conference or workshop
• Welcome change
• Write down your thoughts
• Carry business cards
• Admit ignorance when you don't know the answer
• Make decisions expeditiously
• Take time to think
• Audit a class at A-BTech
• Arrive early to class, work, meetings
• At the end of classes or meetings, ask, "How did I do?"

Deborah Lonon, Team Leader, QEP

Quality Enhancement Team Members

• Paulette Brownlee (College Relations) ext. 113
• Mona Cornwell (Director of Communications) ext. 117
• Deborah Harmon (Student Services) ext. 146
• Robert Hixson (Engineering and Applied Tech) ext. 343
• Marland Holloway (SGA) ext. 205
• Doug Jones (Institutional Effectiveness Council Liaison) ext. 5822
• Deborah Lonon (Quality Enhancement Team Leader) ext. 339
• Kay Manley (Continuing Education) ext. 334
• Ken Rudolph (Faculty Association) ext. 197
• Hannah Seal (College Forum) ext. 5801
• Pam Silvers (Business and Hospitality) ext. 249
• Benny Smith (Plant Operations) ext. 482
• Becky Sroda (Allied Health and Public Service) ext. 267
• John Tucker (Information Systems Technology) ext. 123
• Heather Vaughn (Arts and Sciences) ext. 315
• Dana Smith (Adjunct Faculty) danasmith@charter.net

December Activities

3rd Helping Employees to Reach their full Potential (required for new supervisors who have not already participated)

14th Employee Holiday Dinner at the Grove Park Inn

23rd through Jan.1st Winter Break

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS!Return to top

campus connection

Program: Corporate and Economic Development

Dean: Matthew Meyer

Established: 2001

Location: Enka campus

Mission: To provide assistance with economic development of the community directly and indirectly through education and training, and through technical assistance to businesses and industries through classroom, customized or on-site training, standard curriculum and implementation on the factory floor

Highlights: Development of the Enka campus is expected to have an estimated economic impact of $3 million annually to the Asheville area, while serving the needs of 9,000 potential businesses and incubating at least 20-30 startup businesses every two years.

Sidebar: A-B Tech's Enka campus has progressive plans to create a whole new workforce and infuse millions into the region's economy. Developing "highly-trained workers" in a variety of fields such as biotechnology, Information Technology and Electronics will encourage high-tech firms to relocate to the area. Most companies looking to relocate a facility now look very closely at the available and skilled workforce in an area. Jobs in fields such as biotechnology, Information technology and electronics typically pay higher wages than more traditional manufacturing jobs.

Success Story: Several years ago, a man named Gerald Rinehart stepped into Small Business Center Director Harry Ponder's office and asked for help. He had an idea to design headers for motorcycles but needed business advice and guidance. Ponder helped him formulate a business plan, and enter the business world. Today, Rinehart's name is a household one on the NASCAR circuit. Even Dale Earnhardt Incorporated buys his pipes. He also creates performance exhaust systems for Richard Childress Racing, Roush Racing and Morgan McClure.  Return to top

A-B Tech Local NCAEOP Wins Many Awards

The A-B Tech Local of the North Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals (NCAEOP) brought home more awards than any other local at the Annual District One Awards Luncheon at the A-B Tech Enka campus. District One is comprised of Western North Carolina educational office professionals.

Virginia Crisp, an A-B Tech Nursing student who previously won a $2,000 A-B Tech Local scholarship, won an additional $1,000.

Wanza Davis, a member since 1952, won the Lula M. Burrell Educational Office Professional of the Year.

Brenda Katona in the College Relations Division was awarded a $600 Educational Office Professionals Scholarship. She was also elected 2003-2004 Vice President for District One. Virginia, Wanza and Brenda will be going to the state competition March 2003 in Greensboro.

The Local also brought home the Membership Trophy for having the most state members present at the District One Fall meeting.

The A-B Tech Local is already active in raising funds for scholarships. It will hold a silent auction and bake sale Dec. 4 and a basket raffle Dec. 13. For more information or to purchase a ticket, please contact Ann Plant at ext. 114 or Pam Baker at ext. 241.Return to top