On the Move - Louisiana Community and Technical College System

programs
like the Executive Institute, which took place over
two sessions in January and April 2012, enabling
attendees to explore best practices and to develop
local fundraising plans.
“We saw tremendous value in the Executive
Institute,” said May. “There was significant buyin
from board members and our chancellors and
staff. That makes a big difference in our ability to
advance our work.”
South Louisiana Community College foundation
member Eric Robicheaux says he found the
Executive Institute to be revealing and enlightening.
“We saw how important it was to build
relationships with donors and show them
how their support can advance this incredibly
important education model for our state,” said
Robicheaux. “Community college funding is
a three-legged stool that requires public funds,
private funds and tuition. Traditionally, we have
not had substantial private support but that’s
changing. I’m excited about the possibilities.”
The Foundation also makes it easy for those colleges
that do not have individual foundations. It holds and
manages funds on behalf of these colleges, allowing
them to raise funds without having to worry about
administrative costs. In addition, the Foundation
offers provides scholarships to chancellors and
college staff to attend national training
seminars, funds technical systems for college
development offices, conducts on-site board
development workshops, state-wide staff
training, and provides on-going mentoring,
counsel and support.
Advocacy and Public Engagement
May notes that one of the most important roles
the Foundation plays is in supporting advocacy
and public engagement, particularly as community
and technical colleges seek to strengthen and grow.
“Thanks to support from the Foundation our
advocacy efforts have been incredibly successful.
We’ve been able to pass 32 separate pieces of
legislation in Louisiana that support our colleges,
our students and our future growth,” said May.
These include the funding of more than $260
million in new construction projects on
community and technical college campuses,
shifting the control of adult education from
the K-12 education system to the community
and technical college system; and establishing
articulation and transfer agreements that ensure
transfers between community colleges and fouryear
institutions are seamless.
“We could not have changed any of these laws
without being able to get the word out and
make our case, which financial support from the
Foundation enabled us to do,” May added.
8 | Moves Magazine