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Are you short in your line up? Do you need more staff but can’t because of budget cuts and hiring freezes?. Charlotte McGowan Southwestern Michigan College. My B ackground in Testing . Bachelors Degree from Bethel College Director of Academic Assessment & Testing Services
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Are you short in your line up?Do you need more staff but can’t because of budget cuts and hiring freezes? Charlotte McGowan Southwestern Michigan College
My Background in Testing Bachelors Degree from Bethel College Director of Academic Assessment & Testing Services Director – 4 years 10 Years working in testing
Wish List for Testing Center: More Staff Better Flexibility Retention Dependability
How do you get the staff you need when you need it? This is how I did it…………
Collecting Data What kind of data?
Broke it down • Kind of tests • Busy times of years • Volume • Student enrollment • Student count • Student numbers
Exam Trends • Number of exams
Other times help is needed • Specialty Exams • Classroom Tests Number of exams
Classroom Testing and Specialty Exams Double staff Still need coverage for the testing centers
Months the Majority of Exams are Given Number of exams
Volume of Tests • April • December • November • October • January • May • September • August Highest Volume Lowest Volume
Other Areas When They Are the Busiest • August • January • March • April • May • December • September • June Academic Support Records & Registration
Gathered All My Data • Charts • Student Counts • Testing Numbers • Other Department Information
Compared our busiest time to other departments slower non-busy times Other Departments (Busy) • August • May • September • January (Slow) • October • November • December • April Testing Center (Slow) • January • May • September • August (Busy) • April • December • November • October
A Pattern Emerged • When the Testing Center was busy • Other departments were slower • When the Testing Center was slower • Other departments were busy
How??? • Taking charge • By talking with my supervisor • Reaching out to other departments • Creative scheduling
Take Charge by Selling the Idea to Others • Data • Trends • Benefits Number of exams
What are the Benefits? Versatile Flexible Dependable Cost Retention
Need Support From • Supervisors • Other Departments • Deans • Chairs
Creative Scheduling Chart the times staff is needed Assign staff to each area when they are needed Coordinate with other departments Find flexible staff willing to participate
How to Make it Work • Passionate • Take Ownership • Champion for the idea • Cooperation • Scheduling • Cross Training • Find the right people
Thank You Charlotte McGowan cmcgowan@swmich.edu Southwestern Michigan College