Successfully Recruiting and Retaining IT Personnel in Rural Areas

Overview Introductions Transformational Change Needed Dr. Marsha Drennon - President, State Fair Community College Robert Paulson – VP of Technology Services, State Fair Community College Donna Liss – CIO, Truman State University Elliott Kimbrough – Executive IT Director, Lincoln University Transformational Change Needed Successful Retention

Truman State University State Fair Community College Lincoln University

Missouri Education State funding at 2001-2002 levels MO ranks 37th out of 50 on support indicators

Transformational Change IT is not a core competency Depth and breath of services Corporate resources Eliminating institutional silos Integration of services Opportunities to blend business principles and academic mission

Transformational Change Cont. Quality of customer service Accountability Institutional ownership and value added ROI – beyond dollars

Recruitment Challenges Rural vs metropolitan Competition Advertising costs Recruiting costs Salaries Relocation costs Retention

SFCC Fast Facts Main campus located in Sedalia, Missouri Sedalia population 20,000 14 county service area 8,896 sq. miles (size of Vermont) Average household income - $34,596 Agricultural base

SFCC Fast Facts Cont. Opened in 1968 Institutional data $27 M budget 3500 head count, 2312 FTE 75% on financial assistance 60% need remediation 3 campus locations 6 extended campus sites, 18 high school locations

** National Average in IT: 85-90% retention SFCC IT Statistics Over 800 PCs Rural faculty, staff and students on dial-up 13.5 IT personnel 96% retention rate over five years ** 171 cumulative years IT experience Remote Banner DBA, System Administrator ** National Average in IT: 85-90% retention

Successful Retention at SFCC National recruiting with relocation Team building Stress customer service Be part of College activities Corporate resources when needed Promotional path Assist other institutions

Successful Retention at SFCC Cont. Part of the community college family Cool stuff to work on Good Team – like and respect each other Can see IT improvements Helping students and College Institution looks to us for help

Truman Fast Facts Located in Kirksville, Missouri Population 17,200 Only COPLAC institution in Missouri Population 17,200 All counties in Missouri Median household income - $26,000

Truman Fast Facts Cont. Institution data 32 campus buildings $75 M budget 5,800 Students Approximately 830 faculty and staff 32 campus buildings

** National Average in IT: 85-90% retention Truman IT Statistics Over 11,000 data ports 100% wireless (250 access points) Support over 2,000 campus PCs (15% Mac) 28 IT personnel 90% retention rate over past 5 years ** Over 130 students working in IT All IT personnel on campus are part of ITS ** National Average in IT: 85-90% retention

Successful Retention at Truman Organizational structure advantages and opportunities “Can-Do” attitude Support and promote flexible schedules and teleworking Natural “broadbanding” environment, which allows skill set development in many areas Organization structure that supports flexible staff, and still addresses separation of duties

Successful Retention at Truman Cont. Institutional advantages and opportunities Highly selective institution means select students – use them! Supportive faculty and staff Strive for 90% customer satisfaction rating

Lincoln University Located in Jefferson City, Missouri Population 35,000 Central Missouri HBCU Land Grant Institution Median household income - $30,300 Institutional Size $45 M budget 2,700 student FTE 450 Faculty & staff

** National Average in IT: 85-90% retention Lincoln IT Statistics Support over 800 PCs including 15 labs Blend of small city and rural population Virtualized server environment VOiP technology Capitol City provides access to Government Officials 10 IT personnel 98% retention rate over five years ** ** National Average in IT: 85-90% retention

Successful Retention at Lincoln Recruiting Local Talent Ties to the community Entry level positions from University student body School pride and ownership Promote Local Economic Advantages Lower taxes Lower housing/living cost

Successful Retention at Lincoln Cont. Promote Ecological Advantages Air quality vs. large city markets Traffic Park and recreation Relocation Package Incentives Pay for moving Assign a sponsor Send relocation package Remote and commuting options

Questions ?

Contact Information Dr. Marsha Drennon – mdrennon@sfccmo.edu Robert Paulson – rpaulson@sfccmo.edu Donna Liss – dliss@truman.edu Elliot Kimbrough – kimbroughe@lincolnu.edu