2019-2020 Innovation of the Year Award Winner: Wake Technical Community College

COVID-19 Task Force

Wake Technical Community College’s COVID-19 Task Force represents rapid innovation in response to immediate need. Launched by the President, it engaged all areas of the college, initially tapping health and safety, facilities, and campus police to keep students, faculty, and staff safe from COVID-19. But the real innovation came when the committee turned to leveraging nascent projects into a consolidated response plan to accelerate the implementation of remote learning and teaching tools and wraparound digital support services/resources. The college quickly developed a one-stop Answer Center to address all questions from students, employees, and the community. Seated classes transitioned to 100 percent online, with orientations for students and training for faculty. Student and academic support used ramped-up meeting software to expand outreach, community partners were engaged to meet food insecurity and technology needs, and the President held digital student and employee forums. Essentially, buildings closed, but the college remained open.

Innovators: Donna Greene, Scott Ralls

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