Category: Higher Education Projects

Tarrant County College, the sixth largest in Texas among community colleges and universities, retained Evergreen Solutions to conduct a comprehensive compensation and classification study to determine whether the College possessed a system that was both equitable when compared to the external competitive employment market as well as equitable internally. Evergreen Solutions worked collaboratively with the College to make sound, implementation-focused recommendations.

Evergreen’s methodology focused on market competitiveness and was based on the College’s compensation philosophy that was linked to the College’s mission and strategic plan. The methodology recognized that compensation was comprised of more than just base pay levels. Specifically, the study included a complete classification analysis using the Job Assessment Tool job valuation methodology as well as a statistical assessment of internal conditions and an assessment of external equity including a salary survey of competing organizations. The study identified findings and recommendations that were designed to alleviate any strains on the system and, if necessary, redesign or augment the existing system in place at Tarrant County College.

In February 2010, Broward College contracted Evergreen Solutions to evaluate an Emergency Management for Higher Education Grant. As part of the evaluation, Evergreen Solutions assessed four areas of Broward College’s emergency management plan, including prevention migration, preparedness, response, and recovery. Additionally, the evaluation included developing a sustainable performance measurement system that evaluated the college’s early warning program. Evergreen Solutions designed and disseminated methods of evaluation appropriate to goals, objectives, and outcomes of the project.

Evergreen Solutions used a methodology that included collecting and tracking quantitative and qualitative data for each of the project’s objectives and measurements. Specifically, this included: designing evaluation instruments (surveys, questionnaires, evaluations, and other necessary and appropriate forms); developing specialized tracking systems to measure performance objectives and to assess whether intended outcomes were realized; and conducting focus groups and interviews with students, staff, and faculty. The evaluation also assessed overall efficiency and effectiveness of the training, practice drills, and after-action reports associated with the emergency management plan. In addition, the emergency communication systems was also assessed during the evaluation.

Pulaski Technical College is the largest and fastest growing comprehensive community college in Arkansas, with eight locations in the most populated metropolitan regions. The college contracted with Evergreen Solutions to evaluate an Emergency Management for Higher Education Grant. The grant was designed to constitute a coherent, sustained program of training in the field of emergency management, including conducting training and exercises in emergency management procedures. Aside from increasing awareness among college faculty, staff, and students regarding emergency management policies and procedures, the grant was aimed at improving partnerships between community partners and campus leaders.

Evergreen Solutions assessed the overall effectiveness of the grant utilizing a customized work plan designed to evaluate Pulaski Technical College’s specific objectives. The work plan evaluated the grants success with increasing the number of emergency management courses attended by campus personnel as well as with supplementing the college’s current emergency preparedness plan with additional exercises. Furthermore, a Crisis Intervention Plan and a Health Emergency Plan established by the grant was assessed by Evergreen Solutions during the evaluation.

In February 2008, Evergreen Solutions kicked off a Comprehensive Market Salary Survey and Compensation Plan Study for all non-faculty jobs at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. Evergreen Solutions consultants worked with the University’s Salary Review and Compensation Committee to select benchmark job titles and market peer organizations to survey. Market comparisons were made at the local, regional, state, and national levels. Once data was collected using the survey tool, Evergreen Solutions provided detailed and comprehensive recommendations for revision and update the University’s pay plans, including projected costs for implementation. Finally, Evergreen Solutions staff provided compensation administration guidelines for continued administration of the updated pay plans. Missouri Western State University is a four-year, state-supported institution providing undergraduate and graduate programs through the colleges of liberal arts and professional studies. In addition, the University offers continuing education courses, seminars, conferences, and workshops suited to the needs of the community and serving groups throughout the nation.

In July 2009, St. Thomas University selected Evergreen Solutions to evaluate an Emergency Management for Higher Education Grant. The purpose of the grant was to fund higher education institution projects with the purpose to develop, review, improve, and fully integrate all campus-based emergency management planning efforts. With the 18-month federal grant, a Campus Community Emergency Planning for Safety (C-CEPS) Consortium was created in cooperation with neighboring institutions Barry University and Florida Memorial. The consortium participated in the development of college-wide and campus-based emergency management plans and training programs.

In order to ensure the overall goals and specific objectives of the grant were being met, Evergreen Solutions established a customized work plan to evaluate the execution of the grant. These tasks focused on addressing St. Thomas University’s objectives including developing emergency management and preparedness materials based on best practices, increasing overall awareness of hazards and emergency procedures, and training University faculty, staff, and students to be more efficient and effective in emergency procedures.