KCTCS BOARD OF REGENTS AMBASSADOR TRAINING December 6, 2018

Why? 2019 legislative session advocacy effort. Need for ongoing, proactive advocacy communications.

Ambassador Roles You are Community Leaders. You serve to make a difference and inspire others. You are true “Ambassadors.”

Ambassador Roles Enhance public understanding and appreciation. KCTCS Vision and Mission. KCTCS Brand Promise and Pillars. KCTCS Goals for 2016-2022. KCTCS Accomplishments. Sustain and improve reputation. Quality and program distinctiveness. Advocate for KCTCS.

Let’s Get Started Know your facts. Get acquainted with the tools. Identify your channels of influence and networking. Identify your communication channels. Develop your messages.

Kentucky Community and Technical College System Commercial 16 Colleges More than 70 locations 16 colleges More than 70 locations

Vision To be a world-class system of colleges educating Kentucky’s globally competitive workforce.

Mission Our mission is to improve the quality of life and employability of the citizens of the Commonwealth by serving as the primary provider of: Workforce Education and Training College and Workforce Readiness Transfer Education

Brand Promise The 16 colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System are united in our commitment to making life better for our students, our communities and the citizens of Kentucky.

Brand Pillars Invested in the success of every student. Encouraging and approachable learning environment. Engaged in the life of our communities. Focused workforce education and readiness.

Centering Idea Providing Kentuckians with a Better Life.

About KCTCS Established in 1997 by the Kentucky legislature as the ninth public postsecondary institution. Combined 14 community colleges from the University of Kentucky with 15 technical institutes in the Kentucky Workforce Development Cabinet. Largest provider of higher education, workforce education and online learning in the state. We have bettered the lives of more than 1 million people since we were formed.

About KCTCS Enrollment - 106,498 (2017-18) up 111% since 2000. Credentials Awarded – 35,418 (2017-2018) up 255% since 2000. Tripled the number of associate degrees awarded. Increased the number of certificates tenfold. Largest provider of dual-credit - 15,941(2017-18).

About KCTCS We offer programs that are necessary to meet the workforce demands of today and into the future. Of the 35,418 credentials KCTCS awarded in 2017-18 (a record number), over 75% (27,390) were in one of the state’s five targeted industry sectors (Advanced Manufacturing, Business & IT, Construction, Healthcare, Transportation and Logistics).

About KCTCS Educate 82 percent of the state’s skilled trades workers in fields like construction, lineman, HVAC, plumbing and welding. Award 66 percent of all nursing and allied health credentials, and 87 percent of all associate degrees in those programs. Award 98% of short-term certificates.

About KCTCS More than 3 million participants have received workforce training through our Workforce Solutions division since its creation. In 2016-17, we worked with more than 5,000 companies and provided training for more than 40,000 employees.

Tools/Resources KCTCS Profile. KCTCS Points of Pride. KCTCS Website – Fact book. Power Point Slides. KCTCS Lapel Pin. KCTCS Business Cards. KCTCS Polo.

Channels of Influence and Networking Identify your circles of influence: Friends. Business associates. Community leaders and volunteers. Political leaders. Students (current and potential). Develop a personal communications plan. Create messaging for each audience.

Communication Channels Face-to-face. Email. Meetings/events. Social Media.

Social Media Channels Facebook: Primarily social. Follow KCTCS and share posts. Twitter: Links and news sharing. Follow both KCTCS and KCTCS President and share posts. LinkedIn: Professional social networking platform. How To’s: Include KCTCS Board of Regent’s responsibilities in profile. Share links as provided by Dr. Box in communication briefs.

Messaging General KCTCS information. General advocacy messaging. We are committed to providing Kentuckians with a better life. We are the solution to meeting the state’s skilled workforce shortage.

Messaging 7 Key Questions Who's the recipient? What are you communicating? What action do you want? What is the right tone? When is the right time? What frequency? What channel/medium?

Effective Personal Communications

The Elevator Speech History/Purpose. Definition. An elevator speech is a clear, brief message or “commercial” about you. It communicates who you are, what you're looking for and how you can benefit a company or organization. It's typically about 30 – 60 seconds, the time it takes people to ride from the top to the bottom of a building in an elevator.

The Elevator Speech

The Elevator Speech De-Coded It says who you are and what your organization does. It highlights your organization’s benefit to society and how it’s differentiated from competitive institutions. It interests the listener in learning more about your organization. It normally ends in an ask.

ADVANCE AVOID Straightforward language Jargon Benefits Life story of the organization Macro concepts In the weeds detail Soft sell Hard sell Results Process

Practice Your Elevator Speech

Final Advice ACT as you want to be perceived. ALIGN actions and language with institutional values. SHOW your pride in the KCTCS Mission (Passion). BE VISIONARY – Deal with the 'Now' but FOCUS on the future. GET STARTED – Reach out. Help is always available.