4P8 Determining Employee Training and Alignment to Organizational Plans

As noted in Category 3, the Campus Climate Survey and surveys conducted during in-service workshops provide some of the information on training needs of faculty and staff. Additionally, program and department teams recommend training areas during the budget and planning process. The AQIP Campus Climate Team and Administrative Team review Campus Climate Survey results and discuss ways to address training needs. A summary of key results is shared during the monthly meetings.

The In-Service Committee plans all in-service workshops and activities and bases decisions on recommendations of staff, faculty and administrator input. Topics have included STI’s Learning Management System, diversity, sexual harassment, and teaching techniques.

STI has made a strong commitment to several continuing and long-term training needs and has provided yearly funding to support this training. Each year STI sends employees to the Jenzabar Annual Meeting, a national training program for STI’s campus management system. STI also has committed to sending individuals each year to the Higher Learning Commission annual meeting as well as retention and enrollment training conferences such as Noel-Levitz. STI recently became a member of EDUcause and had an employee attend the national conference.

Training needs are also identified through program and department team meetings and planning and budget meetings. Final decisions on the allocation of training funds are based on a prioritization according to STI’s strategic goals. The STI Administrative Team has made a stated commitment to allocate training funds toward strategic areas, in particular technology training and infrastructure. Because STI directly connects training to its goals and objectives, the training has a direct impact on instructional and non-instructional services. As a result, STI has positioned itself to better meet student needs and provide the kinds of educational programs and services our students need.