QEP Update: Professional Development Afternoon
On Thursday, February 19, over 400 A-B Tech employees (full-and part-time) gathered to participate in Professional Development activities and prepare for the upcoming on-site SACS visit (to occur April 20-22, 2004).
The afternoon began with lunch catered by A-B Tech's café and a discussion of the Institutional Effectiveness process. Led by members of the Institutional Effectiveness Council (IEC), and utilizing a PowerPoint presentation developed by Ned Fowler, chair of the IEC, and Dave White, Director of Research and Planning, attendees discussed how the Quality Enhancement Plan fits with A-B Tech's regular planning processes. Participants were quizzed at the end of the session on A-B Tech's Mission, Goals, Assessment and Results.
Next, everyone met in Ferguson Auditorium for a welcome by President Bailey. Mr. Bailey spoke about how the QEP process, while focusing on student learning and success, has also sparked many varied projects including: naming the roads at A-B Tech, improving the food services offered and extending their hours of operation, and designating outdoor smoking and non-smoking areas.
Carol Rovello began her session by recognizing the participation of A-B Tech employees in the QEP process. She asked teams and individuals to stand as their names were called and their QEP contribution cited. By the end of her roll call, virtually everyone in Ferguson Auditorium was standing. Carol went on to let A-B Tech employees know what to expect during the on-site team's visit April 20-22.
Deborah Lonon spoke next about how the QEP topic was selected, reminding everyone of the retreats, surveys, focus groups and meetings that had occurred with students and employees over the past year and a half. The QEP Topic, "Educational and Career Advisement," focuses on providing information to current and prospective students at A-B Tech. The QEP's goal is to ensure that all communication at A-B Tech is accurate, timely, easily accessed and delivered "invitationally."
English/Communications Chairperson Kenet Adamson toots his own horn during the "QEP Jeopardy" game at the recent Professional Development Day. English/Communications Instructor Heather Vaughn assists Kenet in coming up with some of the correct answers.
To review key QEP terms, this session ended with a lively game of SACS Jeopardy. Three contestants, Brinda Caldwell, Sheila Tillman and Kenet Adamson were called to the front of the auditorium. Each was allowed to choose someone from the Leadership Team or the Quality Enhancement Team to assist with their Jeopardy "questions." Brinda Caldwell called on President Bailey, Sheila Tillman asked Vice President Dennis King to "come on down," and Kenet Adamson chose QET member Heather Vaughn to be his "Jeopardy partner."
Kathryn Lemieux was the official timekeeper, Sharon Killian kept score, and Pam Silvers created and ran the SACS Jeopardy PowerPoint board. The three contestants and their partners did their best and were supported enthusiastically by the crowd, with Caldwell/Bailey taking first place, Tillman/King coming in second, and Adamson/Vaughn placing a (very respectable!) third. The SACS Jeopardy game was sent by e-mail the next day to everyone at A-B Tech in case they wanted to review their own questions/answers! The afternoon ended with various departments, divisions and other groups meeting for their own individual professional development sessions.
This will be the last Professional Development Afternoon focused on QEP/SACS activities. Anyone with questions, comments or feedback on the QEP or any SACS-related issue is invited/encouraged to contact Carol Rovello, ext. 178, or Deborah Lonon, ext. 339.
test your knowledge with a QEP Crossword Puzzle, Pg. 3
Deborah Lonon, Team Leader, Quality Enhancement Plan
A-B Tech Welcomes 10 New Employees
David C. Arledge is now a full-time Basic Skills Specialist in Compensatory Education. He has an A.A., General Education, Brevard College; a B.S., Education, Appalachian State University; and a M.A., Counseling, Appalachian State University. He was formerly a part-time Compensatory Education Instructor at A-B Tech.
M. Joan Buchanan has been hired as a Nursing Instructor. She received her B.S.N. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was formerly the Lead Nurse at the Black Mountain Center.
Annie M. Dowdell is now an Instructional Services Technician. She received her A.A.S. in Information Systems from A-B Tech, and was formerly a Property Manager for Morosani & Associates.
Teresa C. Edwards joins A-B Tech as a Nursing Instructor. She received her A.D.N. from A-B Tech, and her B.S.N. from Lees-McRae College. She was formerly a teacher in Health Occupations for Asheville City Schools.
Melba A. Hawkins joins A-B Tech as a new Instructor in Early Childhood/Smart Start. She received her B.S. in Home Economics from Mars Hill College, M.S.H.E. in Child Development from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a M.L.S. in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was formerly a Trainer/Parent Educator at the Oralena Haws Puckett Institute.
J. Christopher Martin is now a Computer Engineering Technology Instructor. He received an A.A.S. in Networking Technology from A-B Tech. He was formerly a lab assistant at A-B Tech.
Nicole S. Pekarek has been hired full-time as a Phlebotomy Instructor. She received a B.S. in Biology with MLT from Appalachian State University. She was formerly a Medical Laboratory Technology adjunct at A-B Tech.
John R. Painter joins A-B Tech as a Communications Specialist. He received a B.S. in Journalism from West Virginia University. He was formerly the Assistant Director of Sports Information at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Danielle L. Richardson is now a full-time Spanish Instructor. She received her B.A. in Spanish from UNC-A, and M.A.T.L. in Spanish from the University of Southern Mississippi. She was formerly an adjunct Spanish Instructor at A-B Tech.
Elizabeth N. Scarbrough has been hired full-time as a Criminal Justice Technology Instructor. She received her A.A. in General Education from Palm Beach Community College, a B.A. in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and J.D. in Law from the University of Georgia. She was formerly an adjunct Criminal Justice Instructor at A-B Tech.