Category: News

A discussion with NHTI’s new president

Dr. Patrick Tompkins, the President of NHTI since February, shared his thoughts on the role of community colleges, the challenges of declining enrollment, strategies to ensure high-quality education at an affordable cost and more.

Tell us about yourself and what drew you to NHTI.

I’ve been working in higher education for several decades … in Iowa, Oklahoma, Virginia and now New Hampshire. I was an English professor for a long time, and then … moved into administration. I was a dean and a provost at a college, then went to Eastern Shore Community College and served as vice president of academics, students and workforce education. I came to NHTI primarily because of the quality of the college and what it has to offer. We have really solid programs in things like health care … and we have some really unique programs, like mindfulness, hospitality, sports management and addiction counseling. … I also really wanted to work at a community college that has an athletics program, because I believe it provides academic opportunity for some students who might not otherwise [attend college].

What do you believe is the role of community college?

I call community college the greatest democratization in the history of higher education. It makes post-secondary education accessible to all. It’s affordable. It’s convenient. There’s a community college within driving distance of everybody in the continental United States. It allows people who may not think they’re right for higher education or who would otherwise not be able to get into higher education to get an education in a wide variety of fields.

How will you work to ensure an education at NHTI is both affordable and high quality?

The state legislature has allowed the community college system to keep tuition only $5 ahead of where it was in 2011. … Even though the tuition [cost] has stayed constant, there is still a gap that is hard for students to fill. That’s where I have to expand our scholarships. … When we’re able to provide scholarships to cover ancillary things, such as books or supplies, that helps to close that gap. … Most folks know we’re inexpensive; we’re less than half the cost of any other college in New Hampshire … but that means nothing if we don’t have quality. … Our quality comes from having superior faculty whose only mission is to teach. … We have programs that can be completed in a short term … and with flexible scheduling … that lead to really good jobs. … We have a campus with wonderful amenities and extracurricular activities. … These are all things that are of value to our students.

What do extracurricular activities, athletics and campus life contribute to the educational experience at NHTI?

We serve the entire student. It’s not just about academics; it’s also about helping them develop as good family members, community members and workers, and to live healthy lives, mentally and physically. … Having the dorms and a mix of student clubs and activities makes for a really rich campus life. Many community colleges don’t have athletics, so I’m really happy that we do. … For some students, athletics may be the thing that draws them in, and once they’re here they start to realize that sports is not going to pay their way and that they’re going to need [job] skills. … Not all students will go pro in their sport, but they are still passionate about it, and being able to play at the college level is an exciting thing for them.

Enrollment in community colleges has been declining. How do you plan to address that at NHTI?

Declining enrollment is a national trend that’s been going on since 2014. The two primary factors are, there have been fewer people graduating high school … and the people who want to work have found work and aren’t in immediate need of training. It’s looking like we’re nearing [the end] of declining enrollment, and that those factors — particularly the second one — are going to change. There are going to be more opportunities for people to change career fields or advance in the field they’re in and [therefore] come back to college. … But should growing enrollment always be the goal? I think the better question to ask is, how well is a community college serving its community? Because enrollment [reflects whether] we are offering the right mix of programs that are relevant to [employment] opportunities for residents in the area. … So our focus is on our programs and looking at where there are new opportunities or opportunities to grow.

What do you find most fulfilling about this position?

It helps me live out a very foundational ethic that was bred in me as a young person, which is my commitment to service for others into the community. … I feel fortunate to have a job where it’s not about me. People in our business sometimes say, ‘Your success is our success.’ I don’t view it that way. I view it as your success is your success; I was just lucky enough to be there as you were achieving it.

Featured photo: Dr. Patrick Tompkins. Courtesy photo.

How to celebrate National Bike Month

Throughout May, New Hampshire communities are celebrating National Bike Month with events, initiatives and challenges aimed at inspiring people of all ages to take to the roads on two wheels. Tammy Zamoyski, Regional Planner at the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission, which is promoting New Hampshire Bike Month in partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, talked about the benefits of biking and provided some pointers for beginner cyclists participating in this month’s activities. Visit bwanh.org/calendar for the schedule.

What is National Bike Month, and how is New Hampshire celebrating?

The League of American Bicyclists started Bike Month in 1956 as a way to celebrate the benefits of bicycling and to encourage people to give it a try. In New Hampshire, the Planning Commission has partnered with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire to celebrate New Hampshire Bike Month. We’ve been reaching out to different communities and organizations throughout the state to see how everybody is celebrating and to put together an events calendar. There’s National Bike and Roll to School Day and a variety of bike rodeos and events for children. There are events to get adults back on bikes, like a “Relearn to Ride a Bike” class. There are some recreational opportunities, such as the Tour de Francestown, which is a gravel bike ride they do every year.

Bike to Work Week is May 15 through May 21. What is that about?

Bike to Work Week is a time to encourage people to try riding their bike to work. We try to make it a fun activity that people can do together. In the past we’ve set up breakfast stations where people can stop on their way to work, and even happy hour events where people can stop on their way home from work and grab a drink and a bite to eat with other people who have ridden. It’s a great way to build community.

Do you ride your bike to work?

Every single day, no matter the weather.

What are the benefits of biking?

The biggest thing for me is the impact on the climate; riding a bike is something we can do to decrease our carbon footprint. Burn fat, not fuel! It’s great for your physical health, and for your mental health, as well. It relieves stress and is a great way to start and end your day. I also feel like it creates a sense of community. When you’re not in a car, you notice so many different things about your environment, and it helps you connect with neighbors and other people who are out and about.

What tips do you have for people who are new to biking and want to give it a try this month?

One of the most important things is planning your route. Remember that the fastest way by car isn’t always the safest or most enjoyable way by bike. A lot of times, you can go over a block or two and take a less traveled, quieter back road, and it may take a few minutes longer to get to your destination, but it’ll be a much more enjoyable experience. You can use tools like Google Maps, which has a cycling feature, to find the best routes. It’ll show you all the different ways you can go, and it’ll even show the elevation and recommend the best way to go if you want to avoid hills. Another thing I recommend is to find a bike buddy; it’s one thing to ride your bike on a rail trail or a closed street, but when you’re out in traffic and navigating through intersections, it can be quite intimidating. Riding with someone who can show you the ropes until you get comfortable to ride on your own is a good idea. Dress for the weather; wear layers. Some people like to bring a change of clothes for when they get to work in case they get sweaty. Lastly — and this has been a total game-changer for me — get a basket for your bike. I know it sounds silly, but it has revolutionized the way I ride. I can stop and get groceries or bring my winter jacket without having to worry about being able to fit everything in my backpack to get it home.

What would you like to see for the future of biking in New Hampshire?

I would love to see more enthusiasm around bicycling as a viable mode of transportation. I think a lot of people view it as a recreational opportunity, which it is, but it’s also a really great way to get around. It offers more opportunities to get around for people who don’t have a car, choose not to drive or don’t have access to transit. I’d really like to see some of our communities become “Bicycle Friendly Communities,” which is a designation that the League of American Bicyclists has set up for communities that meet [bike friendly] criteria.

Featured photo: Tammy Zamoyski. Courtesy photo.