CIHE Accreditation Self-Study Report February 2006
Self-Study Overview
NHTI has a long history of commitment to excellence in higher education, as evidenced by its many specialized accreditations, its more than 30 years of accreditation by the Commission on Technical and Career Institutions, and its successful initial accreditation by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education [CIHE] of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges [NEASC] in 2001. Its strong, dedicated faculty assumes the primary responsibility for the academic life of the institution, and members of the faculty develop and engage in a wide variety of professional development activities to promote individual and collective teaching excellence. The faculty, staff, and administration also continually re-evaluate courses, programs, teaching styles, and delivery mechanisms, as well as academic and social support systems, in an effort to improve student achievement both during students' academic careers and during their professional lives following graduation.
In the five years since its initial full accreditation by CIHE in April 2001, the Institute has enthusiastically embraced its new status as an "institution of higher education" and as a comprehensive community college. New electives in general education courses have been developed, including studio art and dance classes in partnership with local facilities, and new construction has allowed an expansion of both academic and social/cultural programming. For example, the 2004 expansion of MacRury Hall and the generosity of the New Hampshire Dental Society and Northeast Delta Dental allowed the expansion of the Allied Dental Education programs. The Student Center, which opened in the winter of 2005-06, has brought much-needed relaxation and social space for students, as well as additional office space for staff. In addition, faculty, staff, and students have developed new programming to reach out to the community through educational activities such as service learning and through cultural activities such as the annual film festival.
NHTI's rapid growth is both its greatest strength and its greatest concern. Since the 2001 accreditation visit, the student headcount has increased over 30%; student FTEs have increased nearly 45%. The average age of the day student population has dropped from about 28 years of age down to 22. Tuition, which had remained stable in the four years leading up to the last CIHE visit, has increased nearly 50% (to $164 per credit) since then, as appropriations from the New Hampshire Legislature have declined to approximately 35% of the college's operating budget. Classroom utilization nears 100% during the peak hours of 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, with an overall utilization rate of over 85% in the fall semester.
While many construction projects during the past five years have increased available classroom and office space, and while several new full-time faculty and staff members have been added, neither has kept pace with the growth in the student population and the increasing interest in NHTI in general. To implement capital improvement and expansion plans, NHTI has undertaken fund-raising efforts from the private sector - a completely new activity for the college - to enhance funding appropriated by the State Legislature. In addition, the college has entered into partnerships with businesses, healthcare facilities, and professional organizations, who may donate funds, equipment, and/or personnel to help NHTI meet particular workforce needs.
During this period of rapid growth, the college also underwent major changes in leadership. NHTI's former President and Vice President of Academic Affairs became the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, respectively, of the New Hampshire Community Technical College System in 2003. Both the college's new President and Vice President of Academic Affairs had served many years as faculty members, Department Heads, and Associate Vice Presidents of Academic Affairs. In addition, NHTI's Associate Vice President responsible for institutional research and grants left the college for another position, leaving a significant void in the Office of Academic Affairs. At the same time these leadership changes were occurring, the Governor of the State of New Hampshire had imposed a hiring freeze that prevented the college from filling vacant positions, straining many offices until the freeze was lifted and positions could be filled.
In the face of these major challenges, it is a testament to the commitment and creativity of the administration, faculty, and staff of NHTI to both shared governance and a process of ongoing self-evaluation that students attending the Institute continue to receive "the highest possible level of technical, academic, and professional preparation." Evidence of this commitment creativity is seen throughout the self-study narrative and in the accompanying documents, and the campus community looks forward to the CIHE Evaluation Team's visit to re-confirm this commitment. The self-study process has provided an honest and realistic assessment of the institution's strengths and weaknesses. The Institute is justifiably proud of its record of student success and its reputation for excellence; it is equally proud of its ability to identify its weaknesses and its willingness to meet the challenges of its future with enthusiasm and integrity.