EDLD 7430: American Higher Education

THE INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT

By
James Gilbert
INTRODUCTION
Name: Richard Smith
Position: VP Economic Development for Georgia
Piedmont Technical College
Years in Current Position: 9
Date/time/place of the interview: Thursday,
September 25, 2014/ 12:00 p.m./ in his office
 PERSONAL/CAREER INFORMATION

Career path: Manufacturing and industrial

Educational credentials:
Associates Degree in Chemistry
Bachelors of Business Administration
Positions held in Higher Education:
Director of Economic Development for Griffin Technical
College
 PERSONAL/CAREER
INFORMATION
Positions held outside Higher Education:
Quality Manager for Stowe Woodward in Griffin, GA
Quality Manager for Georgia Pacific in Peachtree City, GA
How he got in the field:
Adjunct Instructor of Industrial Systems for Griffin Technical
College
This led to teaching in the surrounding industrial plants
 PERSONAL/CAREER
INFORMATION
What do they feel are the best/worst parts of their
current position?
Best parts are working with industry and new technology
Worst parts are working with State government guidelines
excess time to execute changes.
Are they satisfied with Higher Education as a career
choice?
Yes, very gratifying to help people attain a job or better job
through education.
 PERSONAL/CAREER
INFORMATION
What are their future aspirations?
Retirement in three months
What advice do they have for you?
Gain all the credentials / knowledge you can in
your field of
interest.
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

What is the "mission" of the department?

Same as the College: Georgia Piedmont Technical College,
a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, promotes
a student-centered environment for lifelong learning and
development, encompassing academic and technical
education for employment in a global community.
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

What changes has their department experienced over

the last few years?
The Department has experienced changing demands due to
the downturn in the economy
Less classes for the general public where the individual
pays for the class
More demand for industry training
Industry has used the downturn to streamline production
and increase technology to reduce the number of
employees.
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

How has their department grown and evolved over

the last few years?
Two conference centers
Regional Transportation Training Center
Several continuing education courses
What are some current issues/concerns affecting
their department?
Budget and staffing are always concerns to cover
increasing demands during the economic recovery and job
growth.
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

What is the current budgetary status of their

department?
Budgets have remain static the same for the past six
years.

Where is financial need most apparent in their

department?
Staffing is the most critical need due to the reduction in
hours part time employees may work under the Affordable
Care Act (ACA).
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

What has been the department's biggest accomplishment

during the last five years?
Using e-readers (Kindle Fire) to deliver courses via the internet
Industry certified programs fundable through State Workforce
Development (WIAs)
Partnership with local relief agencies: Goodwill, Family
Connections, etc., to provide training programs and jobs to
those most affected by the economic downturn.
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

What has been the biggest difficulty the department

has experienced over the last five years?
Finding qualified technical instructors
What are the department's major plans for the future?
Increase community partnerships
Increase use of technology to deliver programs
Increase program approvals by funding partners
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION

What do they think are the major issues facing

Higher Education today?

High School dropout rate

Access to technology and the internet
 REACTION
What is your initial reaction to what you heard?
Would you like to work for the person you interviewed?
Would you like to work in their department (or a similar
department elsewhere)?
What is your overall assessment of this interview
experience?