Community Engagement Programs

Community Engagement Programs

Contact

cep@durhamtech.edu

Procedure

Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) is a student-centered institution that provides high-quality, learner-centered, and affordable educational and training opportunities within a welcoming and supportive environment that uncovers the unrealized potential of all learners, providing avenues for social and economic mobility. In accordance with its mission, vision, Core Values, and strategic priorities and to further its commitment to leading the community’s educational, training, and economic development, Durham Tech offers Community Engagement Programs (CEPs). 

CEPs provide opportunities to build purposeful connections between prospective and current students, community organizations, educational sectors, and employers, and are designed to accomplish the following:

• Deepen Durham Tech’s partnerships with community, industry, public school, and university partners;
• Promote internal collaborations with current and returning Durham Tech students; and
• Provide access to high-quality educational opportunities while providing equitable access to underserved and marginalized populations. 
   

Program Types

CEPs encompass a variety of programs that can be offered on-campus, off-campus, or in a remote learning environment. CEPs may include any of the following program types, serving a broad population in Durham Tech’s service area and offering varied programmatic foci. Specific program details (e.g., registration requirements, locations, dates/times, fees and payment options, etc.) will be available via the College’s communication platforms (e.g., website, social media, etc.) once program registration opens.

• Academies – These programs introduce youth and adults to a particular subject, curriculum, or job skills in a practical setting; certifications or credentials are a key outcome. Academies are offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms. 
• College Recruitment Programs – These programs offer students an innovative approach to earning full-time equivalent (FTE) for immediate or short-term return on investment (ROI) while earning stackable credentials or building on-ramps to programs in one or more meta-majors under the Program Pathways model. College recruitment programs are offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms.
• Summer Bridge Programs – These programs are designed to ease students’ transition to college and support postsecondary success by providing students with the academic skills and social resources needed to succeed in a college environment. Summer bridge programs are offered in the summer “bridge” period between high school and college.  
• Summer Camps/Enrichment Programs – These programs provide opportunities for youth to develop essential knowledge and skills for academic progress and career exploration. Summer camps/enrichment programs are offered during the summer term (refer to the Academic Calendar for specific term dates). 
• Weekend/Evening Camps – These programs are defined similarly to summer camps/enrichment programs but are typically offered during Durham Tech’s fall and spring semesters at times that meet the needs of the target population.

CEPs are not intended to replicate or replace customized training, continuing education, or curriculum course or program offerings at Durham Tech.

CEP Proposal Submission Process

Employees of any status (full-time or part-time, faculty or staff) may submit a CEP proposal. Proposals on behalf of program pathways will be limited to one (1) submission per pathway per calendar year. Any requests for exceptions to this limit must be submitted prior to proposal submission. Proposals must be submitted via the CEP Proposal Submission Form in Etrieve (select the forms link) and in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Proposals for fall, spring, and summer CEPs must be submitted at least ninety (90) working days prior to the CEP’s target launch date.
• Proposals for fall CEPs must be submitted by July 1.
• Proposals for spring CEPs must be submitted by October 1. 
• Proposals for summer CEPs must be submitted by March 1. 
• Proposals must be complete, accurate, and received by the applicable deadline to be considered.
• Proposals must address one or more of the following outcomes:
  • Social-emotional learning;
  • Build early momentum;
  • Improve academic and social adjustment experiences;
  • Career exploration;
  • Build self-efficacy; and/or
  • Nurture cultural and social capital.
• Proposals must address one or more of the College’s strategic goals and priorities.

Please Note: The above list is not exhaustive; please refer to the CEP Proposal Submission Form for complete proposal requirements. Use your Durham Tech login credentials to access the Etrieve system.

Requestors should allow up to thirty (30) working days for proposal evaluation and determination (first-level and final-level approval). Requestors will be notified of the status of their submission via email. 

CEP Proposal Review and Approval Process

Proposal submissions will be routed to Deans and the Vice President, Chief Academic Officer (CAO) for review and approval. CEP proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Timely submission of the CEP Proposal Submission form; 
• Alignment with related strategic priorities;
• Proposed marketing plan; and
• Availability of funds requested. 
   

Marketing 

Marketing materials for approved CEPs must be developed in accordance with the College’s Brand Guidelines. CEP organizers may request a Marketing and Communications review of news releases, public announcements, community calendar listings, and photography and videography. Requests must be submitted via the Marketing and Communications Service Requests webpage at least fifteen (15) working days prior to the desired publication date.

Budgeting and Funding

The following are examples of CEP funding sources (availability of funding is subject to change). However, requestors are encouraged to propose self-supporting opportunities to provide a long-term ROI. 

• Self-Support – Program participants pay a fee based on the CEP Cost Calculator (Excel)
• College and specialized funding (e.g., HEERF), subject to availability. 
• Grants (e.g., Perkins, National Science Foundation (NSF), Durham Tech Foundation)
   

CEP Organizer/Facilitator Responsibilities

CEP organizers and facilitators are responsible for the following:

• Completing the Durham Tech Event Form and engaging internal stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Data Reporting – CEP organizers are required to provide a final report to the dean (first-level approver) highlighting data that reflects the program’s efficacy and allows for a quantitative and qualitative assessment of program outcomes. Data and survey requests must be submitted in accordance with Research, Evaluation, Assessment, and Planning (REAP) guidelines, and data must be disseminated in accordance with the Appropriate Use of Data policy. All CEP facilitators are to report the following:
  • Participant and facilitator perspectives (survey data);
  • Participant learning outcomes;
  • Enrollment and completion; and
  • Budget reconciliations. 
• Maintaining program documents and records in accordance with the Records Retention and Disposition policy.
   

Definitions

Early Momentum – For the purposes of this procedure, “early momentum” refers to students’ academic and enrollment behaviors, experiences within the classroom, and motivational attributes and beliefs (Wang, 2017). 

Cultural Capital – Social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means.

Social Capital – The resources gained by being a part of a network of social relationships.

Working Days – Days when the College is open and operating under a normal schedule. This excludes weekends, closings due to adverse conditions, and holidays