2009 Accountability Report - Aiken Technical College

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evaluating. Another method is the performance management system which permits supervisors to monitor and
manage employee performance.
III.5.10 How do you motivate your workforce to develop and utilize their full potential
The College utilizes several tools to motivate faculty and staff to achieve their full potential and become high
performers. A key element in determining what tools or programs the College would offer to employees, were
those that were designed to benefit both the individual and the College. Two important motivational programs
that meet the standard are the Tuition Assistance Program and the Degree Attainment Program. The Tuition
Assistance Program is funded with local dollars and offers partial tuition reimbursement to employees with a
minimum of one year of service and enrolled in a program leading to an academic degree of Associates or
higher. The employee must provide a written statement declaring how the course or program will enhance their
contributions to the college. The Degree Attainment Program rewards employees with salary increases for
completion of degrees/certifications with examinations and national or regional acceptance.
Another tool utilized to motivate faculty and staff is the College’s Professional Development Committee. The
committee is comprised of employees representing both faculty and staff. Their primary role is to advocate for
professional development opportunities. Through information gathering, research and campus surveys,
programs are identified that add to and build upon the knowledge base of our faculty and staff, thereby,
benefiting both the individual and the College.
A second important role fulfilled by the committee is the review of all applications for the Tuition Assistance
Program and making award recommendations to the President. The maximum award is $500 per semester.
Based upon the recommendation of the committee, funds will be budgeted for summer sessions in addition to
fall and spring, beginning with FY 2008.
III.5.11. What formal and informal assessment methods and measures do you use to obtain information on
workforce well-being, satisfaction, and motivation
The College utilizes several assessment tools to measure employee satisfaction, well-being and motivation,
including an institutional effectiveness survey, communications survey, and focus group sessions. The College
president also conducts annual listening sessions with each division. While the listening sessions are primarily
used for process improvement, they afford employees an opportunity to speak directly with the president on
issues that directly or indirectly affect attitude and performance. Upon resignation or retirement, employees
complete a termination questionnaire and an interview with human resources and the College president,
opportunities that afford exiting employees to express employee satisfaction and any other information they
wish to share.
Beyond the standardized methods for assessing employee satisfaction, the Human Resources and President’s
office both promote an open-door policy for employees to share concerns. The administration encourages all
supervisors to offer the same opportunity to their direct reports.
ATC has several measures in place to promote employee well being. Beyond the state offered insurance