Fayetteville Technical Community College, located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, initiated activities as an industrial education centre in 1961, before transitioning into a technical community college. “When you count every student that we have, we serve about 38,000 students a year,” explains President of Fayetteville Tech, Larry Keen. “They represent those that are seeking workforce development training, as well as those that come here with the intention of transferring on to a four year college or university.”

The people of Fayetteville are proud to serve in a community that also hosts the Fort Bragg military base. Many students go to Fayetteville Tech for short-term training to expand on current skills, or to gain the knowledge required for making a specified career change. The school has a 93 percent success rate for students that move on to a four-year university. After following up with students who have graduated and joined the workforce, a 100 percent satisfaction rate was achieved.

IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY

Fayetteville Tech Community College has a number of improvement strategies based
on Six Sigma. One area of focus for the institution is improving communications. The
college utilizes a tool called WEAVEonline, a web-based system for managing overall
processes and assessing planning strategies for colleges and universities. “We use the
online system to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of programs in all categories
throughout the institution, whether it’s educational, institutional or organizational
in nature,” Keen says. “WEAVEonline has helped in terms of improving the way
we communicate, the way we make decisions and how we allocate resources.”

Through the assessment process, the college has looked for ways in which to provide
professional development for faculty and staff. Additionally, the school reviewed the
level of credentials required for instructional programs, operations and equipment and
green initiatives. Keen says, “Just as importantly, we move forward with the idea that
this isn’t just a onetime thing, it’s just a new way of doing business.”

Technology has also been applied in other areas of the school systems, such as online
advising for students, streamlining the registration process and handling financial
matters via the web. Keen says, “The targeted application of technology is helping us do
things more efficiently, more effectively.”

GOING GREEN

A significant number of green initiatives are being implemented at Fayetteville Tech—
approximately 75 percent of the campus is being upgraded with sustainable options.
The standard T-12 bulbs used for lighting are being replaced with T-8 bulbs. Plus, a
storm water reclamation project is underway in two of the school parking lots, in which
storm water is reused for irrigation around campus. Solar photovoltaic panels were also
installed to heat water in the gymnasium.

Around 78 percent of the buildings have motion detectors for more efficient use of
lighting. Branches and clippings around the campus are used for mulching. The
campus enforces a recycling program as well—from aluminum to paper to plastic.
The school has also gone so far as switching to biodegradable cleaning materials.

“We’re pretty aggressive at reducing our carbon footprint, and we’re trying to get better,”
explains Keen. “We aren’t at 100 percent now, but we hope to be in the future.” He
adds, “We’re only a part of something that’s much, much bigger. We can only do our
respective parts, and we hope to do our part very well.”

THE PEOPLE

People who work for Fayetteville Tech tend to remain long-term employees. The
school offers plenty of opportunities for faculty to advance in their careers. Part-time
employees often transition to full-time when the opportunity arises. The college employs
701 full-time and 578 part-time staff members. The school supports employees in
their educational goals, allowing them to improve skills via coursework or achieving an
advanced degree related to what they do.

“Fayetteville Tech is one of the premier places in our county and in our region in which
to serve, says Keen. “We have a very good reputation among people in the community,
and among other institutions of higher education.”

SUPPLY CHAIN

Fayetteville Tech Community College abides by the various laws of North Carolina
regarding specific processes and procedures. When a request for major expenditures
arises, a review process takes place, often through a point system, to determine
whether it fits in with the strategic plan. “We go through to figure out exactly what
we need, and what we want—whether it’s equipment, buildings, vehicles, personnel
supplies, staffing.”

Once a bid is received from a vendor, a highly-competent committee is dedicated to
reviewing and determining if moving forward on the investment is within the best interest
for the institution. “There is a definitive process that we go through,” explains Keen. “We
do give people the freedom to envision what they need or want for the future, and
translate that into tactical plans that will allow us to accomplish our goals and objectives
with purchases.”

GROWING COMMUNITY

The college has recently purchased an additional adjacent building for approximately
$10 million. The goal for the project is to tear it down and rebuild a structure more
consistent with the school’s architectural design, to be used as additional classrooms.
Another $3 million has also been set aside for updating, replacing or repurposing
other buildings around campus to accommodate growing student demands.

Fayetteville Tech is currently working with architects for designs for a new ‘western
campus,’ that will be built across 60 acres in the western part of the county. A ‘northern
campus’ has already been built, and the potential to expand the main campus, which is
already at capacity, is dependent upon state, federal or local financial support. Keen
explains, “We’re expecting another 40,000 people to come the Fayetteville area in the
next one to two years, as a result of the military base realignment activities.”