Itawamba Community College Program/Unit Review Non-Instructional and Service Programs and Units

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1 Itawamba Community College Program/Unit Review Non-Instructional and Service Programs and Units I. Program/Unit Information 1. Name of Program or Unit Public Relations and Marketing 2. Submission Date of Program/Unit Review 5/1/ Name of Director or Coordinator Will Kollmeyer 4. Does the unit have a defined purpose statement (This can be found on CHIEF)? If so, provide the purpose statement below. The College will continually develop and implement an effective public relations program designed to enhance the position, prestige and esteem of the College, both within the community it serves and the educational community, at large. 5. How does the purpose of the program support the overall mission/purpose of the College as adopted by the Board of Trustees? (Mention College goals that show a linkage to your program. Mission and Institutional Goals can be found on CHIEF.) We provide the information to the public of the educational opportunities for them, including; academic, technical, workforce and continuing education, to both traditional and non-traditional (adult learners) students. This also includes stressing the emphasis on graduation, flexible scheduling, convenience and affordability. ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 1 of 9

2 6. List the name and title of all employees in this program/unit. Name Title Will Kollmeyer Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Sports Information Kim Williams Director of Graphic Design and Photography Donna Thomas Director of Copy/Media Relations Tupelo/Belden Maggie Caldwell Assistant Photographer and Graphic Designer Adam Gore Assistant Sports Information Director Connie Yielding Administrative assistant to the director of Public Relations Marketing and Sports Information Dale Boudreaux Photographer (Part-Time) 7. State the number of full time employees allocated to this program/unit State the number of part time employees allocated to this program/unit How has the total staffing number (both full and part-time) changed in the past five years? Two years ago, the department was realigned and changed from Public Relations to Public Relations, Marketing, Sports Information and Publications, so it has grown from 3 full time employees to 6 full time and one part-time employee. 10. Does the unit have qualified staff with the experience, competence, and capacity to fulfill the mission of the unit? 11. What staffing changes would you recommend to improve future delivery of services? None needed ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 2 of 9

3 12. List and describe the services of this program/unit. Some of our annual projects include President's report, Alumni Magazine (biannually), Foundation Newsletter (bi-annually), recruiting materials (5-6 pieces), sports program, yearbook, newspaper, Indian Club brochure and camp brochures for the various athletic camps. Marketing includes executing our annual marketing plan which includes College branding through advertising ICC and it's events. In addition our department is responsible for news releases, photographic coverage of all college events and distribution to the media. We also broadcast seventy athletic events a year and raise money for sponsorship of those broadcast. Our emphasis also continues one expanding our already highly successful social media accounts. We keep the Facebook page updated with information pertaining to all events at ICC, we tweet scores and other pertinent information concerning ICC athletics and we stream games on the internet through UStream. We also send athletic events to local cable outlets for them to rebroadcast our events. In addition to all these things we are responsible for student and faculty ID cards, faculty business cards and name tags and all camp certificates. 13. Provide an overview of significant results, honors, awards, and milestones achieved, as well as enhancements made to this program in the past five years. Each year we receive recognition/awards for recruting materials and student publications. Successful social media and marketing techniques. 500th broadcast at ICC for Will Kollmeyer. Restructuring of department allowed us to reach deadlines and goals in a more efficient way. 14. What additional services are currently planned for this program/unit for the next five years? With budget cuts we will continue to take advantage and expand our free social media accounts, produce a new athletic website and make ICC images available for purchase on the web (through smugmug) II. Vision 15. State the vision for your program for the next five years or beyond? What goals do you hope to accomplish? To provide branding that will continue to promote a positive image of ICC and encourage an increase in student enrollment. III. SWOT Analysis (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) 16. What are the program/unit s strengths or strong points? (Strengths are documented with data such as information on number of customers served, program/unit s performance, staff credentials or other factors that contribute to the success of the unit.) The main strength is the amount of quality projects that we produce annually in a timely manner. Listed below are some of the departments accomplishments: ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 3 of 9

4 Produced seven Chieftains (student newspapers) and the Mirror (yearbook) to record student accomplishments and activities as well as the history of the College. In addition, the Public Relations Department issued StudentNotes electronically weekly throughout the college year to keep students, faculty and staff informed of activities on both the Fulton and Tupelo campuses. Issued NewsNotes electronically weekly to keep faculty and staff informed of meetings, sports events and other college activities. Sent periodic e mails to a group of adult learners who requested to be included in the mailings. In addition, work is continuing to organize a group to benefit from peer support as well as to solicit the assistance of members in developing additional resources for adult learners. The Marketing team developed a comprehensive marketing plan for the College as well as individual plans for the Graduation.It Matters initiative, personal counseling, Connection Day, PACE, online GED testing, ARROW terms and new majors including Criminal Justice, Gerontology and Paralegal. The Marketing team administered surveys to students in English composition I classes during the fall semester to determine the effectiveness of its marketing plan and in English composition II classes at the beginning of the spring semester to determine the effectiveness of the website, The Marketing team also placed advertising in both radio and print media throughout the year. The Public Relations Department assisted with the development of material for booklets and the website for orientation The Public Relations Department assisted with the capital campaign, which was launched for the construction of the Health Science Education Center. The Public Relations Department assisted with the dedications of Eaton Field, Roy Cresap Baseball Field and the Johnson/Partlow Tennis Courts. Approximately 450 press releases have been sent to area media promoting Itawamba Community College. The Public Relations and Marketing departments hosted a media appreciation luncheon for newspaper, radio and television representatives. The Public Relations Department assisted with the Pink Zone Night to promote breast cancer awareness. The Public Relations Department assisted with the organization and hosting of the graduation breakfast for the sponsoring Alumni Association. ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 4 of 9

5 The Public Relations Department assisted with the Alumni Board meetings in April and August. Donna Thomas serves as secretary of the association. The Public Relations Department assisted with all special events at ICC Including commencement, homecoming and the retirement reception. The Public Relations Department produced two Alumni magazines, the Sports Program, President s Report, Student Guide, I Club brochure, Emergency Procedures manuals and recruiting materials; and assisted with the production of two Foundation newsletters. The Public Relations Department assisted with the publicity for the C2C and Jobs4U programs. The Public Relations Department assisted with the development of a video for APMM, a Toyota tier supplier. The Public Relations Department assisted with the Mock Incident at the Tupelo Campus, November 21. The Public Relations Department assisted with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Health Science Education Center, the open house at the Belden Center and the ceremony at the Tammy Wynette Birthplace. The Public Relations Department assisted with the Career Expo. The Public Relations Department assisted with Experience Fairpark. Nearly 500 athletic releases were sent to area media and to media outlets outside the ICC district, upon request, including out of state studentathletes. Twenty public appearances (speeches promoting ICC and/or ICC athletics) More than 60 radio appearances promoting ICC and/or ICC athletics. Approximately 20 appearances (TV) promoting ICC and/or ICC athletics Hosted a weekday morning ICC athletic update on WAFM FM (95.7) 52 weeks five days per week except holidays Co hosted a one hour show on the first Thursday morning of each month on SuperTalk Radio Announced a school record 70 radio broadcasts of ICC athletics. For the fourth year in a row, all of the College s football, basketball, baseball and softball games were on the same radio station, WAFM, Amory (95.7). The games were also on the College website and at Will Kollmeyer announced his 500th game as the Voice of the Indians during one of the baseball doubleheaders this spring. Televised approximately 30 sporting events which were available to more than five percent of the state s population on MetroCast cable outlets. ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 5 of 9

6 Televised a football show wrapping up ICC s recruiting season on area MetroCast cable outlets. Continued to successfully work an outlet that sends WTVA, WCBI, WLOV and W07bn video of signings, highlights of games and other ICC athletic events. ICC was featured in a number of statewide magazines including Mississippi Gridiron Magazine. ICC provided stories, photos and other information, upon request, on student athletes. Completed the second full year of social networking via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The ICC Twitter account leads the state among community colleges with nearly 1,200 followers, approximately 400 more than its nearest competitor. ICC s Facebook page also leads the state with nearly 1,200 fans with an average of 1,600 hits per day. The ICC Athletics YouTube account, as well, is number one in the state and is closing in on 55,000 views in its nearly two years of existence. ICC distributed its new athletic website at the beginning of April. The Sports Information area provided additional exposure for former student athletes in the newspaper, radio and television, by explaining how ICC played a valuable part in their continued success after their days at the College. Donna Thomas serves as treasurer of the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi and the MACJC Inter Alumni Association. Donna Thomas assisted with the Hazard Mitigation open house on November 1, Donna Thomas assisted with the development of selective admission packets to comply with action suggested as a result of the OCR Compliance site review. Donna Thomas served on a committee to develop marketing strategy for the Higher One Card. Donna Thomas developed an Adult Learner guide that was designed to ease the transition to college for that growing population. Donna Thomas and Kim Wiygul Williams presented professional development sessions in August. Kim Wiygul Williams organized a Photography Club. Connie Yielding assisted with the Miss Itawamba Community College and the Most Beautiful pageants. As one of the founders of Mama s Got a Brand New Bag charity purse auction, Maggie Caldwell received a Spirit of Women award for her support of SAFE, Inc. and the Fairy Godmother Project. ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 6 of 9

7 Will Kollmeyer serves on the CREATE, Inc. Public Relations committee in conjunction with CDF and the Tupelo Alpha House for Boys board of directors. 17. What are the weaknesses of the program? (Any problems that the program/unit may have encountered in the past are appropriate for this section.) Time management issues due to the multi-tasking necessary to reach or meet the deadlines of this department while also handling impromptu projects. 18. What opportunities are available for the program/unit? (Any opportunities for improving the program/unit should be included in this section.) Establish a work order system online to help us better manage and reach project deadlines. 19. What are the threats or difficulties that the program/unit must overcome in the next five years? What is your plan for addressing these threats or difficulties? (If there are changes in the near future that are foreseen as negatively affecting this unit/program, these should be mentioned.) With budget constraints and leveling of enrollment, we need to better utilize current marketing strategies, while also finding and capitalizing on free marketing avenues. IV. SACS Principles Compliance Survey Institutional Effectiveness 15. Are research-based evaluation processes (e.g., surveys, interviews, analysis of data) used for assessing this service program/unit? If yes, list all program-specific survey instruments and other processes used by the program/unit for evaluating effectiveness. 1. Survey students on media preference (which outlets do they frequent) 2. Survey students on effectiveness of current website 3. Adult learner focus groups Does the use of evaluation processes result in continuous improvement in the program/unit? If yes, describe some of the recent improvements that have come about in response to needs identified through these evaluation processes: ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 7 of 9

8 1. We choose the most popular media outlets to better reach our target audience. 2. We adjust our College website to better meet the needs of our students. 3. The focus group has given us a better understanding of the needs of our adult learners (non-traditional students) If an outcome is not achieved, are documented modifications or improvements made in the unit? Not Applicable we achieve all of our outcomes. Financial Support 18. Is adequate financial support available to support the scope of services offered through the unit? 19. Does the institution operate and maintain physical facilities that are adequate to serve the needs of this unit? 20. Are the physical facilities for this unit accessible to disabled students? N/A 21. Is the budget information accessible on-line to the unit supervisor? Security 22. Are administrators and staff members in this unit/program careful in protecting the security, confidentiality, and integrity of student/staff records? N/A If yes, provide a brief description of measures taken by the unit/program to insure the protection of privacy of its customers and the unit s adherence to FERPA guidelines. We require a printed schedule and a photo identification before an ID is provided for a student. 23. Does the institution take reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure working environment for this service unit ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 8 of 9

9 SACS PRINCIPLES COMPLIANCE SURVEY (Action Plan) ANY ITEMS ANSWERED WITH A NEGATIVE RESPONSE INDICATE THAT THE INSTITUTION IS OUT OF COMPLIANCE AND MUST BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A WRITTEN PLAN FOR COMPLIANCE ON EACH ISSUE. Provide discussion below for any questions that was assigned a NO answer on the Principles Compliance Survey, and then provide a plan of improvement for each of those questions in the space below. Indicate the question number, your discussion, and the plan of action. ICC Program/Unit Five Year Review Page 9 of 9