In my first year as president, I recognized our faculty salaries were the lowest in the state. We eliminated a system of supplements, retained a salary consultant, and increased faculty salaries, on average, an unbelievable 17%. This year, in addition to giving out equity adjustments, we provided 4% across the board raises to all employees— one of only a tiny number of community colleges that were able to give raises.
Our faculty salaries are now in the top half of the range of compensation for the state system, which means we have the resources to retain and attract professors and quality staff from all over the country. In fact, we have two national experts teaching in our marine sciences program. Our newest marine tech faculty member received his training at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
With the help of our Congresswoman Ileana Ros- Lehtinen, 2.8 million dollars has been approved by Congress for Department of Defense work that will be done at FKCC’s Lockwood School of Diving Technologies. In addition to this federal appropriation, we have earned our first federal grant— a grant of over $100,000 from NOAA.
We have a new Marine Technology Building in its design phase that promises to be the gem of the campus, new benefactors who have given approximately two million dollars over the last two years, and corporate partnerships with entities such as Raytheon Technical Services and Hollis Corporation.
Enrollment is through the roof! We have record numbers of new students and have earned ourselves the distinction of being the fastest growing community college in the state—and no longer the smallest! All this, in just two years!
