October 11, 2023 Michael A Pavlick

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Board of Trustees, Pittsburgh Technical College

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RE: Letter of Rebuttal on Behalf of Alicia Harvey-Smith

Dear Board of Trustees:

Please consider this statement on behalf of Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith with respect to the
Confidential Report on Investigation of Whistleblower Complaints (“report”), submitted by Dickie
McCamey (“Investigator”).

On balance, the report is unbalanced, speculative, uninformed and incomplete. It purports to find
alleged incidents of potential misconduct based on speculation, not fact, and operates in a
vacuum without any perspective. The lack of perspective and fairness is evidenced by the fact
that the Investigator invariably credits the testimony of complainants and their witnesses while
consistently failing to give Dr. Harvey-Smith’s statements and testimony any weight whatsoever.

A bit of perspective is perhaps needed to understand the complaints made against Dr. Harvey-
Smith. Dr. Harvey-Smith was hired by Pittsburgh Technical College (“College”) to save a troubled
institution of higher learning. She was not brought in to maintain the status quo, or to help the
College limp towards oblivion. She is a strong personality, and some may even say headstrong,
but in a time of crisis the College did not want and could not afford a milquetoast leader. It needed
headstrong, not head-buried-in-the-sand.

There can be no doubt that Dr. Harvey-Smith was brought in to institute change. As they say, to
make an omelet you need to crack some eggs. When you challenge employees and push, pull
and otherwise prod employees to fulfill that vision of change, some of those employees grow
resentful.

In this instance, it seems those resentful employees have tried to stage a palace coup. First, they
trumped up complaints about things they do not like (this is not in dispute, as the vast number of
allegations were rejected by the Investigator). Those complaints resulted in the Board, in a
somewhat draconian fashion, barring its leader from campus, limiting her interaction

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with both internal and external resources, and thereby hindering her defense against the levied
charges. Instead of a quick review of the complaints, the investigation dragged on for two months,
further isolating Dr. Harvey-Smith and effectively forcing her to fight for the future of the College
and her own future with one arm tied behind her back and both legs tied together.

Whether as part of their master plan or as a result of the opportunity presented by Dr. Harvey-
Smith’s forced absence from campus, the complainants then organized a sham no-confidence
vote to further turn opinion against Dr. Harvey-Smith. That vote was allowed to be publicized and
allowed to take place. It is not clear what import the Board has attached to the vote, but Dr.
Harvey-Smith firmly believes that it was staged and timed to inflict maximum damage on her at a
time when the plotters knew she was unable to fully defend herself.

And since then, the complainants have gone to the press, threatened the Board, and taken actions
that would threaten the very existence of the College. It is not entirely clear what the
complainants’ agenda is, but in their attempted lynching of Dr. Harvey-Smith, they have indicated
no willingness to spare the College from their wrath.

One thing the complainants apparently do not understand is that the President of a private, not
for profit institution like the College, wields significant power. As several witnesses have stated,
the powers reserved for a President in a private school setting are all those powers that are not
restricted law, regulation, policy, practice, procedures, protocols, Board directive, common sense,
decency, service and a commitment to do the “right thing.” Exs. 1-3. Thus, the President’s
powers, while not unlimited, are substantial. As one witness described, it, the President is the
CEO of the campus. Ex. 3.

Perhaps the complainants have failed to adapt to a strong President because such leadership
was lacking in the past or was constrained by the College’s old business model. Perhaps there
is something more insidious at play, as the complaint are race tinged, e.g., two of the three
subjects for discussion below involve the Black President of the College engaging with Black
institutions, leaders and students. In any event, though, it is simply wrong to equate the
appropriate exercise of legitimate power with misconduct and malfeasance, as the complainants
and, to a lesser extent, the Investigator have done.

This response is not intended to directly state or imply that Dr. Harvey-Smith is a perfect leader
beyond reproach. Like all of us, she makes mistakes or is not as thoughtful or collaborative as
she would like to be. But Dr. Harvey-Smith has not engaged in misconduct, and at ALL times has
had nothing but the College’s best interests at heart.

She is a crisis-tested leader who has made hard decisions during hard times. Those decisions
may not make her universally loved by the employees who are impacted by those decisions, but
they are not misconduct; to the contrary, they represent the type of leadership the College should
be embracing, not chasing away. It is better, when change is needed, that people are challenged
and chastened rather than complacent and contented.

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Dr. Harvey-Smith is a force for change, and change is no doubt hard for most. But by hiring her,
the Board effectively acknowledged that change was necessary. Again, Dr. Harvey-Smith’s

actions may not always have been perfect, but they were always well-intentioned, consistent with
what she perceived as her marching orders, and compliant with all laws, regulations, policies and
directives. She has not engaged in any misconduct, as will be demonstrated below.

A. The Awarding of a Presidential Scholarship to a Black Student at Nazareth Prep.

The Investigator asserts that Dr. Harvey-Smith, by awarding a scholarship to a Nazareth Prep
student, engaged in “potential” misconduct. Thus, the Investigator itself is unsure whether
misconduct occurred, but its speculative conclusion derives from several considerations,
including “the substantial cost of the scholarship” despite the lack of an endowment, its
“questionable benefits,” the fact that it was promised before the recipient student had applied to
the College, the lack of consultation and due diligence, and the inference of a “quid pro quo”
between Dr. Harvey-Smith and Nazareth Prep. None of these considerations are supported by
the facts, let alone rise to the level of misconduct.

The Investigator complains about the substantial cost, asserting that the cost to the College nears
$100,000. Dr. Harvey-Smith asserts that the cost is significantly less, and points to an e-mail
from Michael Russell, Chair of the Schools of Information Systems Technology and Graphic
Design outlining the tuition, fees and costs charged for a two-year program of the type in which
the recipient expressed interest, as potentially being $54,321.25. Ex. A.1. Dr. Harvey’s estimate
of the “sticker price” of the academic program seems to be a far more realistic number than that
advanced by the Investigator, since the scholarship is for two years only. Ex. A.2 (e-mail from
Rebecca Duncan-Ramirez asserting that the scholarship is a two-year grant).

But estimating the cost of the scholarship misses the mark and obscures the fact that the actual
cost to the College is zero. The Investigator acknowledges that there is no endowment from
which the scholarship will be paid, so there is no debit to or diminution of a scholarship fund. Nor
is there any money to be paid out of the College’s operational budget for the scholarship. The
program that the scholarship recipient was interested in is under-enrolled, so the scholarship does
not deprive the College of tuition paid by another student. Student housing has a sizable vacancy
rate, so the scholarship does not deprive the College of room and board paid by another student.
And the recipient had not been considering the College prior to the scholarship award, and still
has not even applied, so it is not the case that the College would be allowing him to attend for
free when there was a reasonable possibility that he would have applied, enrolled and paid for
some or all of his College education. In other words, if the recipient matriculates (which continues
to be a question), it will cost the College zero. And if the recipient does not matriculate, it will cost
the College zero. The scholarship was, is, and will continue to be an almost entirely revenue-
neutral event. Thus, the Investigator’s focus on the “sticker price” of the scholarship is wholly
misplaced.

Next, the Investigator questions the benefits of the scholarship. It is far from clear what
qualifications the Investigator has to evaluate the benefits of the scholarship, or what the

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Investigator considers to be (or not to be) a benefit. The Investigator does explain that because
of the small graduating class size at Nazareth Prep, it is skeptical about the marketing value of
the scholarship. But that comment ignores several things.

Had the Investigator interviewed Sister Linda Yablonski, who is the CEO of the Holy Family
Institute and President of Nazareth Prep, it would have learned that over 500 people attended the
graduation, including the trustees from the Holy Family Institute, Holy Family Foundation and
Nazareth Prep, and representatives of various of Nazareth Prep’s corporate sponsors. It is also
the case that the College promoted the scholarship to a much larger audience via press releases
and social media. See Ex. A.2. Indeed, the Investigator acknowledged the impact of such
outreach, remarking in its report that “because Dr. Harvey-Smith publicized this award, PTC
students reached out to administrators asking whether they could apply for a similar scholarship.”
It is obvious, then, the scholarship has a marketing impact well beyond the 28 members of the
2023 Nazareth Prep graduating class. Indeed, scholarships in general are a valuable marketing
tool for colleges and universities. See Exs. 1-3. As one witness noted, just one scholarship can
create an enrolment pipeline from the high school, which is particularly valuable because
institutions like the College must work from high school to school to promote enrollment.

It also ignores entirely the fact that the scholarship supports the College’s mission and
recommended best practices. In that regard, the scholarship allowed the College the opportunity
to align with the best practices recommendation of consultants Ruffalo Noel Levitz to offer aid “to
demonstrate to the community that the institution is committed to expanding access to
underrepresented and underserved students.”

While the Investigator apparently places no value whatsoever on the fact that the scholarship was
awarded to a Black student at Nazareth Prep, it is beyond dispute that the scholarship fully
demonstrates the College’s commitment to the underrepresented and underserved. Consider
that Nazareth Prep is perhaps the largest private high school in Western Pennsylvania with a
majority Black student population. Nazareth Prep’s students are from economically distressed
families. Its students intern one day each week all four years of their high school tenure at
Pittsburgh’s leading corporations. The corporations in turn mentor and help fund the students’
education. And, of course, the recipient of the award was a Black person from Ethiopia who
interned at Lanxess.

It is readily apparent, then, that the scholarship gave witness to the College’s commitment to
students of all races and all financial backgrounds. Indeed, the objections to the scholarship are
disheartening, and one hopes that they are not based on the fact that the scholarship was
awarded by a Black president to a Black student at a majority Black high school serving financially
distressed families, especially since the College’s minority enrollment stands at only 10 percent.

The Investigator seems hell bent on applying a “cost/benefit” analysis to the scholarship grant
(e.g., complaining about the “substantial cost of the scholarship and its questionable benefits”).
How, exactly, that demonstrates misconduct is not readily apparent, but if the College were
inclined to apply a similar analysis, the foregoing demonstrates the substantial benefit of awarding
the scholarship and the minimal cost.

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The next reservation expressed by the Investigator is that colleges and universities do not offer
scholarships to “exceptional academic students, until after they have applied, and almost always
after an interview with a committee of college administrators.” The Investigator cites no support
for that sweeping conclusion, and a modicum of research would have identified numerous
scholarships students are eligible for before they have applied without any interview.

The most prominent example is, of course, athletic scholarships, as institutions promise
scholarships to high school students well before they apply to the school (and in many instances
well before their senior years and even before they are eligible to apply). Ex. 1.

But there are many other examples as well. Consider Catholic colleges that promise automatic
scholarships to any student from Catholic high schools (including, incidentally, Nazareth Prep)
merely because they attended a Catholic high school.

The list is long, but includes Duquesne University (the Catholic High School Student Scholarship,
https://www.duq.edu/admission-and-aid/financial-aid-and-scholarships/types-of-financial-
aid/index.php), St. Vincent University (Catholic High School Grant,
https://www.stvincent.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid/index.html), University of Dayton (the
Commitment to Catholic Education Award), St. John’s University (Catholic School Scholarship,
https://www.stjohns.edu/admissions/scholarships), and DeSales University (Catholic School
Grants, https://www.desales.edu/admissions-financial-aid/undergraduate-admissions-
aid/financial-aid-scholarships/desales-scholarship). Are administrators at those colleges
engaged in misconduct because they promise scholarships to students who have not yet applied?

Other colleges commit scholarships to high school students who have not yet applied based on
standardized test scores. Consider, as just one example, Oklahoma University, which offers
$71,850 to National Merit Finalists, and $50,600 through its Oklahoma State Regents’ Academic
Scholars Program for high school students with ACT/SAT scores in the top of one percent for
Oklahoma residents. See https://www.ou.edu/admissions/affordability/scholarships.

Other schools promise scholarships to students who have not yet applied and were selected by
the high school. A local example is Chatham University, and its Rachel Carson Healthy Planet
Award. Some high schools call this the “book” scholarship, because each invited high school’s
recipient (a junior) gets a special edition of Rachel Carson’s book, “Silent Spring.” Participating
high schools nominate a junior student, and each junior selected by each high school gets a
$5,000 scholarship, renewable annually, if they apply to and enroll at Chatham. See
https://www.chatham.edu/mission-and-values/sustainability/healthy-planet-award. Notably, the
Investigator, while acknowledging that, “[o]rdinarily, the award of a single scholarship would not
be significant or raise issues of impropriety,” nevertheless expressed its concern that Dr. Harvey-
Smith, when asked a hypothetical question, said she would consider providing scholarships to
other high schools in addition to Nazareth Prep. Obviously, it does not bother Chatham that its
scholarship is extended to multiple high schools, so why it troubles the Investigator is not clear.

And finally, schools promise tuition reduction (up to 100%) for faculty and staff and their families.
Ex. 1.

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What all these scholarship programs have in common is that high school students are promised
a scholarship based on certain criteria (e.g., athletic ability, Catholic high school attendance, test
scores, high school nomination, family status) if they apply, are admitted, and enroll. The
scholarship offered by the College to the student at Nazareth Prep is in material respects the
same. Why, then, is it alleged misconduct for Dr. Harvey-Smith to promote such a scholarship?
Such a conclusion makes no sense.

The Investigator also criticizes Dr. Harvey-Smith because she allegedly failed to consult with
others in the College before awarding the scholarship. To begin, the scholarship was her idea,
and Dr. Harvey-Smith owns the decision. As explained above, the idea of the scholarship is fully
supportive of the College’s mission and its goals. But to claim that she did not consult and confer
with others within the College is flatly wrong. While witnesses “expressed no awareness” of the
scholarship prior to the offer, Dr. Harvey-Smith recalls discussing the decision with multiple
individuals at the College.

Dr. Harvey-Smith contacted Rebecca Duncan-Ramirez to determine if such an award could be

made available. Ms. Duncan-Ramirez confirmed that an award could be made available, and
developed the award letter that was to be presented at Nazareth Prep’s graduation. Exs. A.2 &
3 (e-mail and award letter). Later, Dr. Harvey-Smith scheduled a follow-up meeting on June 1,
2023, at 3 p.m. with Ms. Duncan-Ramirez, and Mr. Russell, to discuss the details of the award
prior to awarding the scholarship. At any point prior to the graduation ceremony, the decision to
award the scholarship could have been reversed because the recipient was not aware it was
being granted, but the result of the meeting was a decision to move forward with the scholarship.
Attending the graduation ceremony on behalf of the College, in addition to Dr. Harvey-Smith, were
Mr. Russell and Dr. Patricia Grey, an Executive Board Member. See Ex. A.5 (thank you note).
The Investigator’s apparent presumption that Dr. Harvey-Smith somehow kept the scholarship
award a secret, did not tell anyone, and clandestinely awarded it to the recipient is a flight of fancy,
not a statement of fact.

But perhaps the most laughable conclusion reached by the Investigator is that the scholarship
“was awarded because Nazareth Prep invited Dr. Harvey-Smith to speak at graduation. It is, in
a sense, a sort of quid pro quo.”

First, let us dispense with the ludicrous notion that Dr. Harvey-Smith personally received anything
of value from Nazareth Prep. Apart from the satisfaction of helping to fulfill the College’s mission
and offering a young person the chance to achieve his dreams, Dr. Harvey-Smith received nothing
from Nazareth Prep. There was no quid pro quo, there was nothing promised or given to Dr.
Harvey-Smith in exchange for the scholarship. Had the Investigator bothered to talk to Sister
Linda, such a suspicion could have been quickly and dispositively laid to rest. Ex. A.5 (Sister
Linda statement).

Equally ludicrous is the idea that Dr. Harvey-Smith would trade a scholarship for the opportunity
to speak at the Nazareth Prep’s graduation ceremony. In just the last three years, Dr. Harvey-
Smith has been a featured speaker at the following events and conferences:

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• Pittsburgh Workforce Development Ecosystem Convening Panelist, September 28,
2023, Sponsored by Deloitte.
• Spotlighted on Special Segments on WPXI’s “Our Region’s Business” 2023, 2022,
2021.
• Featured in the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s TEQ Magazine 2023
• Presenter for Workforce Development Roundtable Discussion with leadership from the
Intel's Columbus, OH Fab Team – February 13, 2023
• Presenter Midwestern Athletic Conference - February 14, 2023.
• Hosted West Allegheny ACCELERATE Industry Meeting February 16, 2023.
Presented along with Dr. Kate Roche and Dr. Lippert, District Superintendent.
Awarded Educational Leadership Award at convening.
• Our Region’s Business Aired - March 7, 2023, spotlighted by Bill Flanagan, with
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy co-director Vu Nguyen discuss PTC’s new fast-
track degree partnership for CMRA high school students.
• Pittsburgh Executive Speaker Series - March 15, 2023. Served as keynote for The
Rotary Club of Pittsburgh.
• Spotlighted by KDKA’s “Intersections” - March 16, 2023, in celebration of Women’s
History Month, discussed changes in education with several leading women in the
sector on KDKA’s public affairs program.
• Served as keynote for Frederick Community College Enrollment Summit - March 17,
2023, at the Frederick Community College Enrollment Summit.
• Featured on Apogee Partnership Video Spotlight with PTC – April 26, 2023, Apogee
serves as Pittsburgh Technical College’s ResNet provider. Interviewed to provide
strategies for higher education institutions seeking creative solutions for enhancing
the student experience.
• Fletcher Falcon Academy for Leadership Advancement - May 19, 2023, in support of
Dr. Kristine Strickland, Chancellor of Fletcher College.
• Presented at the Rotary Economic Think Tank Discussion – August 24, 2023, and
welcomed Rotary International President-elect Dr. Stephanie Urchick
• 2022 Presenter New Jersey City University: Strategic Enrollment Management – Art
& Science
• 2021 Pittsburgh Business Times Panelist Event: Workforce Development in the era of
COVID
• 2021 American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) President’s Trust
Symposium
• 2021 Slippery Rock University-Virtual Symposium: The Importance of Diversity Equity
and Inclusion

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 • 2021 Presenter Greater Pittsburgh Higher Education Diversity Consortium (GPHEDC)
• 2021 National Association of Social Workers - Pennsylvania Chapter
• 2021 Pittsburgh Business Times Panelist Event: Workforce Development in the era of
COVID
• 2021 American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) President’s Trust
Symposium
• 2021 Slippery Rock University-Virtual Symposium: The Importance of Diversity Equity
and Inclusion
• 2021 University Business Spotlight: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• 2021 American Council of Personnel Administrators’ (ACPA) NextGen Institute
• 2021 The American Association of Blacks in Higher Education-(AABHE)
• 2021 Leadership and Mentoring Institute (LMI)
• 2021 American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI)
• 2021 ZogoTech Virtual Panel
• 2021 Higher Education Congress, Washington, D.C.

She obviously did not need to spend a late Spring/early Summer evening at a small high school
graduation ceremony to burnish her resume or establish her bona fides.

Finally, the idea that this scholarship was offered on a personal whim is misplaced. Sister Linda
had reached out to the college as early as 2017, visiting the College and discussing the new
education program being created at Nazareth Prep, in hopes that the College would host an intern
who would then attend PTC. However, she had concerns that while 90% of Nazareth Prep’s
students were Black, only 10% of the College’s enrollment was Black.

But when the College hired Dr. Harvey-Smith, Sister Linda reached out to Dr. Harvey-Smith. They
had several conversations to discuss ways that Nazareth Prep students could be introduced to
the College, and students from Nazareth Prep toured the College at Dr. Harvey-Smith’s invitation.
On May 8, 2023, Sister Linda e-mailed Dr. Harvey-Smith and invited her to be he Commencement
Speaker at the Nazareth Prep graduation. Five days later, Dr. Harvey-Smith preliminarily declined
the offer because of scheduling issues. The next day, after an exchange of e-mails, Dr. Harvey-
Smith told Sister Linda she thought she could make it work out. Finally, on May 17, Dr. Harvey-
Smith accepted the invitation. Finally, as the culmination of that collaboration described above
between the College and Nazareth Prep, Dr. Harvey-Smith floated the idea of the scholarship to
Sister Linda. Ms. Duncan-Ramirez was copied on that e-mail and instructed to work with Nazareth
Prep to work things out. It was not a decision reached in a vacuum; rather, it was made as a next
step in a relationship that could be a model for other high schools and colleges.

Nothing is perfect, and it is likely that the decision to offer the scholarship can be improved or
refined over time. But it is not an exaggeration to say that the Investigator’s conclusion that Dr.

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Harvey-Smith’s decision to award the scholarship was misconduct is unmoored to the facts and,
in many respects, constitutes a smear of Dr. Harvey-Smith’s character and integrity.

There are two important facts to put the Investigator’s findings in perspective. First, the
Investigator did not find a single rule, policy or regulation that Dr. Harvey-Smith violated. Its report
is based on speculation and surmise. Second, the award of the scholarship was not hidden by
Dr. Harvey-Smith. She consulted with others in the College, it was promoted on social media and
other media outlets by the College, and a member of the Executive Board attended the graduation
ceremony. If the Board did not consider the scholarship to be misconduct at the time, it certainly
cannot be misconduct several months later.

B. The Selection of the Low-Cost Bidder for the Copying Vendor Contract.

The Investigator concluded that the award of the copying service contract to The Wilson Group
(“TWG”), a black-owned business, rather than the incumbent vendor, Amcom/Xerox (“Amcom”),
was “concerning,” a finding driven, in the opinion of the Investigator, by the alleged promise of a
donation to the College by TWG. According to the Investigator, Dr. Harvey-Smith’s process of
awarding contracts based on the promise of donations is “potential grounds for misconduct.” The
Investigator’s conclusion is heavy on rumors, innuendo and supposition. What it lacks is any
foundation in the actual facts, facts which exonerate Dr. Harvey-Smith completely.

Amcom was the long-time copying vendor for TWG. It was charging the College $22,000 per
month for its services and equipment. While the Investigator claims that Dr. Harvey-Smith met
the President and CEO of TWG, Derrick Wilson, in Spring 2023, at the luncheon kickoff event for
the College Education Foundation, that is wrong. Rather, Dr. Harvey-Smith and Mr. Wilson (who
is Black) met at the Pittsburgh Black Collective Retreat in West Virginia one year ago (Fall 2022).
Ex. B.1 (Letter from D. Wilson).

Subsequent to their initial meeting, Dr. Harvey-Smith and Mr. Wilson met several times, and at
one of those meetings, Dr. Harvey-Smith asked Mr. Wilson to consider donating to the College’s
Education Foundation. Mr. Wilson agreed to donate $100,000 spread out over four years. Such
a donation was not unusual. TWG regularly donates to charities and non-profits, and their
donations over ten years totaled $1.0 million. The commitment by TWG to the College’s
Education Foundation was made without strings. The Investigator noted that it did “not know
whether the pledge was contingent on receiving PTC’s business,” but a simple phone call to Mr.
Wilson, who was one of the people Dr. Harvey-Smith suggested that the Investigator interview,
would have provided a clear answer: it was not contingent.

Later, Mr. Wilson did ask Dr. Harvey-Smith to set up a meeting between TWG and the College
leadership team, which Dr. Harvey-Smith did. During that meeting, Bill Showers remarked that
the College was on the verge of signing a new five-year contract with Amcom on equipment that
was three years old. Amcom’s proposal also involved removing two production machines. Mr.
Wilson explained TWG’s capabilities in coordination with TWG’s Education sector specialist,
Vinnie Deleonibus.

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Mr. Wilson then stepped away from any sales effort, as the College worked with Mr. Deleonibus.
Dr. Harvey-Smith also ended her involvement.

The College asked TWG to submit a bid for the College’s copying contract, which it did. TWG’s
bid was roughly $13,000 per month, significantly lower than Amcom. TWG also came highly
recommended by, among others, West Allegheny School District, which had made the same
transition from Amcom to TWG. Ex. B.2.

Mr. Wilson was then told by College representatives (not Dr. Harvey-Smith) that a competitive
RFP process would be conducted, before which it is believed that Mr. Showers and Gretchen
Gardner shared TWG’s bid with Amcom. Rather remarkably, Amcom’s bid came down from
$22,000 to slightly less than $13,000. Thus, merely by introducing a competitor for the vending
contract, Dr. Harvey-Smith saved the school $9,000 per month (or $108,000 per year), a fact
which the Investigator overlooked.

According to the Investigator, four bidders submitted bids, with TWG being the lowest by $24,000
over the life of the contract. Amcom was the second lowest and apparently the other two bids
were not competitive. What the Investigator failed to mention is that TWG’s bid included entirely
new equipment for the College, while Amcom’s proposal was to re-lease to the College older
equipment (TWG also made a proposal on BRM, which was to supply 18 bins on campus, a
service which Amcom does not even offer).

The Investigator noted the bid committee’s ambivalence between the two bids, and the
Investigator noted that Mr. Showers ultimately advised Dr. Harvey-Smith to pick one of two bids.
She picked TWG’s lower bid. Notably, she consulted outside legal counsel, who advised her that
there was nothing improper in picking TWG, because they were the low bidder.

Somehow, someway, the Investigator was concerned that Dr. Harvey-Smith acted improperly in
making that decision. Was it improper that she encouraged, as is her job, Mr. Wilson to make a
$100,000 donation to the College’s Education Foundation, no strings attached? Was it improper
that, upon Mr. Wilson’s request, she merely introduced Mr. Wilson to College officials so that he
could champion his minority-owned business? Was it improper that, by introducing TWG to the
College, it knocked down Amcom’s proposal by $108,000 per year? Was it improper that, when
prompted to do so, Dr. Harvey-Smith approved a competitive bid process for the copying
contract? Was it improper that Dr. Harvey-Smith delegated the selection process to three College
employees? And was it improper that, upon being authorized by the bid committee to pick the
winning bidder, she picked the lowest bid (which offered new machines rather than older, re-
leased machines) after consulting with outside legal counsel? Any reasonable person would look
at the foregoing paragraph and conclude that none of the actions were improper and that Dr.
Harvey-Smith acted beyond reproach throughout the selection of the copying vendor. But yet the
Investigator has concerns. The Board is urged to reject those concerns, which constitute nothing
more than speculation and surmise by it and its witnesses, are unsupported by the facts, and
which seem to demonstrate a clear bias by the Investigator against Dr. Harvey-Smith.

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The Investigator’s concerns can be easily dismissed. First, it says that the only thing that
distinguished TWG’s bid from Amcom was the pledge of a substantial donation to the College’s
Education Foundation, ignoring the fact that TWG’s bid was lower, offered new machines, and
offered a BRM service. It also ignored the fact that Amcom suddenly found it within itself to drop
its bid by $9,000 when confronted with TWG’s proposal. Say what you will, but Amcom had been
milking huge profits from the College for years and years, a fact which the Investigator
perplexingly finds meaningless. Finally, the Investigator failed to determine whether the donation
from TWG was conditioned on winning the copying contract. If it had picked up the phone and
called Mr. Wilson, it would have learned that the donation was not conditional. Instead, the
Investigator, without doing its homework, simply decided that Dr. Harvey-Smith was not “credible.”

Second, the Investigator suggests that the College was satisfied with Amcom’s service and price,
so there was no need for a competitive bid process (“Although PTC stuck with Amcom over the
years, it is inaccurate to say that the vendor’s contract had never been reviewed or evaluated”).
Thus, the Investigator holds it against Dr. Harvey-Smith for having the temerity to save the College
huge amounts of money, even though prior administrators were apparently all too happy to
overpay. The Investigator has it backwards—it should be complimenting Dr. Harvey-Smith, not
denigrating her, for saving the College money.

Third, the Investigator proffers a related argument, namely that other contracts had not been
reviewed, which makes review of the copying contract suspicious. The retort is simple: you have
to start somewhere and importantly, Mr. Showers told Mr. Wilson that the College was getting
ready to sign a new 5-year lease with Amcom, so that made it a good place to start. The
Investigator’s argument seems to be that you cannot review other contracts until you review a first
contract, but you cannot review the first contract because it looks suspicious to do so. The
argument is silly and would, if applied to Dr. Harvey-Smith, prevent her from ever reviewing a
contract.

Fourth, the Investigator, while seemingly acknowledging that Dr. Harvey-Smith did not direct the
process or force the bid committee to choose one contract over the other, argues that she
nevertheless “fails to understand the inherent power of her position in influencing decisions,” and
that by introducing TWG to the College, the College’s administrators felt they had no choice but
to pick TWG. The argument ignores a number of things. It ignores the fact that all Dr. Harvey-
Smith did was make an introduction. Presidents of colleges routinely make introductions. It
ignores the fact that Dr. Harvey-Smith had no role in the bid process until the bid committee asked
her to make a decision (which she dutifully did, picking the low bigger after consulting with legal
counsel). It ignores the fact that the College employees were tasked to do a job. If the Investigator
feels they cannot do their job, that they cannot act maturely, decisively, independently, and
perceptively, perhaps the College has no business employing them. Dr. Harvey-Smith does not
want “yes” people. She wants people who can transform the College, not people who blindly
follow. It ignores the fact that the President will always have power disproportionate to others.
That is why the President is the top person in the organization and reports to the Board. By
extension, the Investigator’s argument seems to be that Dr. Harvey-Smith should have no
opinions, no views and, relevant to the copying vendor contract, take no action whatsoever, lest
she improperly influence those below her. This is a remarkably naïve view of the way a leader in

11
higher education (or any business) is supposed to work. In any event, it is certainly not
misconduct by Dr. Harvey-Smith that other people perceive her as wielding power within the
College.

Fifth, the Investigator castigates Dr. Harvey-Smith because she has suggested that all vendor
contracts contain a provision requiring the vendor to support the College in one way, shape or
form. The argument is stunningly misleading. It is true that Dr. Harvey-Smith made that
suggestion. She made that proposal because she had seen it done at other colleges she had
worked at. But the Investigator fails to mention that Dr. Harvey-Smith consulted with outside legal
counsel, who expressed some reservations (but did not say no). Based upon legal counsel’s
concerns, Dr. Harvey-Smith has not required that the school include such language in vendor
contracts (but admittedly has not entirely given up on the idea if it is legal). Thus, the Investigator’s
finding is based not any actionable misconduct, but on the fact that Dr. Harvey-Smith: (a) thought
outside-the-box on ways to benefit the College; (b) made an outside-the-box proposal that would
have positive financial ramifications for the College; (c) vetted the outside-the-box proposal with
others; and (d) ultimately chose not to implement the proposal after others raised concern. Isn’t
this exactly the way you would want the leader of your organization to comport herself?

In short, there is nothing about the copying contract award that is remotely improper. To the
contrary, Dr. Harvey-Smith should be complimented for obtaining a donation from TWG, and
introducing to her team a vendor that ended up saving the College a significant amount of money.
That the award of the contract to TWG has led to allegations of misconduct could, like the
allegations about the scholarship, be tied to race. Just like people are upset that a Black President
awarded a scholarship to a Black student at a predominantly Black high school, there are people
here who are upset with the same Black President for awarding a contract to a Black-owned
business that was the low bidder on the contract. It is perhaps no coincidence that race provides
a possible backdrop to these complaints, which is a shame for a College that is striving to promote
diversity.

C. The College Paying for Editing Work on Dr. Harvey-Smith’s Book.

The Investigator raised concerns about the College paying certain editing and publishing
expenses related to the publication of Dr. Harvey-Smith’s 2022 book, Higher Education on the
Brink: Reimagining Strategic Enrollment Management in Colleges and Universities.

The core facts are not in material dispute (except as noted). Dr. Harvey-Smith envisioned the
book as a College “project.” She proposed the book after she had started in April 2019 as the
President of the College, based it in part on her experiences at the College, and, indeed, the
College is “cited through the Book to illustrate how certain strategies may be implemented.”
Chapter 8 of the book is a case study of the College.

Dr. Harvey-Smith used the resources of a freelance public relations professional named Jim
Woods during the early stages of the book, but Mr. Woods found a new job and was unable to
complete his work due to delays in receiving necessary resources for the book from third parties.

12
Mr. Woods formerly was a principal at the marketing firm used by the College prior to Dr. Harvey-
Smith’s arrival at the College. Mr. Woods did not bill Dr. Harvey-Smith for his work.

When Mr. Woods bowed out of the book project, Dr. Harvey-Smith, upon the recommendation of
Barry Shepard, enlisted the services of the Pipitone Group (“Pipitone’), the College’s contracted
public relations firm, and a Pipitone principal, Lynn McMahon. Pipitone charged the College a flat
monthly fee (a “retainer”) for its services, and Dr. Harvey-Smith initially assumed that any services
provided by Pipitone would be paid from that retainer, rather than constituting a separate expense.
In other words, it would result in no extra cost to the College.

The Investigator noted, though that, the College sometimes exceeded the retainer; hence there
was the possibility of overages. Dr. Harvey-Smith envisioned that Pipitone’s efforts would be
minimal, so did not necessarily foresee a problem, but at Ms. McMahon’s suggestion, she readily
agreed to a separate agreement and billing arrangement. There was no effort whatsoever to hide
or obscure the work Pipitone would be doing. The Investigator, for example, acknowledges that
Barry Shepard knew about the history of the billing arrangements. In fact, if Dr. Harvey-Smith
was trying to obscure the payment arrangements, she did a pretty poor job by agreeing to a
separate contract with Pipitone and having Mr. Shepard and his staff review and handle the
invoices.

The agreement for the book between Pipitone and Dr. Harvey-Smith indicated that Pipitone was
to “conduct copy editing. Copy editing is defined as correcting the mechanics, grammar, spelling
and punctuation errors.” In other words, the primary contracted task was basic proofreading. The
agreement did envision that after proofreading, some assistance with “layout of the manuscript”
might be provided.

Pipitone provided the contracted services. Dr. Harvey-Smith only saw and approved one invoice
(the August 10, 2021 invoice), for slightly more than $2,000, and believed that the invoices totaled
roughly $3,000. Even that one invoice was out of the ordinary, as it was approved via electronic
signature. The President’s electronic signature is housed in the Marketing department for the
purpose of affixing to reports, graduation and other institutional materials sent on behalf of the
President. The electronic signature is also utilized by the Compliance, Institutional Advancement,
and Grants Management offices for reports and submissions with written approval only. It is not
a preferred practice of Dr. Harvey-Smith to utilize electronic signatures in the Finance department.
Typically, if a request from Finance is received, the document is brought to the President’s suite
and the signature is affixed by her Executive Assistant upon approval.

The Investigator claims that the invoices from Pipitone totaled in excess of $32,000, although it is
not clear how much the College actually paid. Notably, the Investigator “ambushed” Dr. Harvey-
Smith with the Pipitone invoices and related documentation during its second interview of her (the
first was a non-substantive “meet and greet” wherein she was required to come downtown from
her South Fayette home during Picklesburgh when a videoconference or even a phone call could
have covered the same ground). While the Investigator had previously provided a copy of the
complaints made against her, the invoices were redacted so Dr. Harvey-Smith did not know what
or how much was invoiced. Thus, Dr. Harvey-Smith had no knowledge of the amount invoiced

13
by Pipitone until the Investigator provided them to her during her second interview. The
Investigator asked and seemed to believe that the invoices were to have been provided by the
Board Chair at his meeting with Dr. Harvey-Smith on July 17, 2023. They were not. The invoices
had not previously been seen, approved or signed by Dr. Harvey-Smith (except as noted herein).

Dr. Harvey-Smith believed that the book was, truly, a College “project” and that it was justifiable
for the College to pay for ancillary costs related to the book. As the Investigator noted, that
position has not varied since the start of this process. Nevertheless, the Investigator questions
Dr. Harvey-Smith’s credibility because “no one at PTC . . . was aware of the Book until after it was
complete.” In the same sentence, the Investigator backtracks somewhat, and notes that a “select
few” were aware because they provided assistance in one way, shape, or form. That “select few,”
per Dr. Harvey-Smith, includes people who volunteered to provide input for the book: Dr. John
Scarpino, Nancy Feather, Rodney Clark, David Becker, Barry Shepard, Eileen Steffan and
members of the Strategic Planning teams. Dr. Harvey-Smith involved these individuals, not to
hide the fact of the book, but rather to celebrate and involve the College community in this College
project. See Ex. C.5.

The “select few” who knew about the book also included Dr. Peggy Betlyn and Mr. William Keifer,
who were consulted and aware of the Book as a College project. The Investigator says there is
no evidence of that, but there is evidence—Dr. Harvey-Smith’s own statements. While obviously,
the Investigator cannot confirm with Dr. Betlyn and Mr. Keifer because they passed away, it is not
unreasonable to think she would have advised them, since one was the Chairman of the Board
and the other was General Counsel. What they in turn might have told (or not told) the Board
(who the Investigator claims knew nothing) is not within Dr. Harvey-Smith’s knowledge, purview
or responsibility and cannot be held against her. Why the Investigator chose to disregard her
testimony, but credit unattributed and unexplained testimony that the book project was “hush
hush” on campus, is unknown but suggestive of an inherent bias in the investigation.

The Investigator also asserts that there was “no mention of the Book in any of Dr. Harvey-Smith’s
detailed quarterly reports to the Board,” but there was a Marketing and Communication plan
provided by the Vice-President of Marketing for the College and Pipitone, dated September 24,
2021, remarking on the book and its synergies with the College: “Pipitone Group has developed
a public relations plan to spotlight the book and its message, while positioning Pittsburgh
Technical College and Dr. Harvey-Smith as thought leaders.” Ex. C.1.

Instead of real evidence to support its suppositions, the Investigator relied on meaningless trivia,
like the fact that there was no copy of the book in the library, as if Dr. Harvey-Smith’s job duties
included curating the library collection. The book’s absence from the library at any point in time
is down to the librarian, not Dr. Harvey-Smith, and is evidence of nothing. Certainly, the book
was well publicized after it was finished, with an e-mail sent to the Board of Trustees and members
of the Education Foundation announcing its release (that e-mail announced that copies of the
book had been purchased for them, and clearly explains that project to the Board, as well as the
national and internal engagement that went into the project), Ex. C.1, comprehensive mentions in
“The Path Forward” for July 2021 to July 2022, C.2, and a promotional PowerPoint at a College
event on June 15, 2022 which prominently featured the book. Ex. C.3. There were also plans for

14
an official book launch and signing event, with a portion of the proceeds to be donated to support
College scholarships. Ex. C.1. This latter point is worth re-emphasizing. Dr. Harvey-Smith’s
intent was to donate book proceeds to support College scholarships, as a thank you for the
support the College provided.

Additional to the trivia, the Investigator also relied on broad, unsupported conclusions, like a “book
is an inefficient promotion tool” because someone has to read the book for it to be effective. But
in academia, books are bona fide promotion tools, as it demonstrates to potential students that
the colleges are or employ thought leaders, which in turn suggests that the institution provides a
superior education. See Exs. 1-3 (letters). Even if no one reads the book (as the Investigator
presupposes), the fact that the author can nevertheless bill himself or herself as an expert on the
subject matter based on his scholarship nevertheless promotes the school. One knows, for
example, that Neil deGrasse Tyson is an expert in astrophysics, but many have never read any
of the books he published which established his reputation.

If publishing were so unimportant, as the Investigator seems to conclude, why do colleges waste
their resources promoting the efforts of their faculty and staff? See, e.g.,
https://news.wm.edu/2022/12/08/books-published-by-william-mary-faculty-in-2022/ (William &
Mary publications in 2022); https://liberalarts.vt.edu/news/articles/2023/01/liberalarts-books-
published-by-faculty-and-staff.html (Virginia Tech publications in 2022);
https://www.middlebury.edu/annuncements/news/2022/09/faculty-and-staff-authors-publish-
notable-list-workers (Middlebury College publications in 2022). The College is similarly proud of
the work of its faculty and staff and wants to promote it, as the PowerPoint which streamed at a
College event on June 15, 2022 amply demonstrates. Ex. C.3.

And perhaps more pertinent, why do colleges and universities have their own publishing arms,
called presses? Ex. 1. Look at your personal library and it will likely include a book from the
Harvard University Press, or the Cambridge University Press, or the Oxford University Press. But
the list of institutions which have their own press, and presumably see significant value in
financing and publishing the works of, among others, their own faculty and administrators, is not
limited to such prestigious schools. In fact, the list of university presses is voluminous. See
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_university_presses. Given these facts, it is not “difficult,” as the
Investigator claims, to envision “how the Book inures to the benefit of PTC.” Institutions of higher
education obviously see the value in being thought leaders, and the College should be no
different. Having a subject matter expert on staff enhances the reputation of the College and
brings it positive attention.

Nor is the use of publications as a promotional tool unique to academia. Consider, for example,
the legal profession. Lawyers routinely publish on subjects of legal interest, whether it be alerts
or articles or books. They do so in part for personal recognition, but it also benefits the law firm
from the standpoint that the law firm is seen as a leader in that area of the law. That increases
the chances that potential clients will take notice of the firm and view it favorably as it selects legal
counsel. There is a cost to the law firms with respect to publications (e.g., the time spent by the
author writing the book rather than performing billable work for another client), but firms obviously
perceive a value to such non-billable work.

15
In short, there is nothing to contradict Dr. Harvey-Smith’s well-supported belief that this was a
College project and, as such, warranted some support from the College. Moreover, the
Investigator’s skepticism about the value of the book evidences a meaningful knowledge gap with
respect to the role of publishing in the world of academia. Thus, there is no question that the use
of Pipitone to provide services in aid of publishing the book was an appropriate exercise of
Presidential power.

The next question, is whether the costs were reasonable. While the Investigator spills ink
assessing whether the costs to the College were reasonable, it need not have done so, as Dr.
Harvey-Smith has acknowledged that had she been aware of th amount of the costs, she would
have found other less costly or no cost ways to support the book project. Thus, the issue is not,
as the Investigator frames it, whether the costs were reasonable, but whether Dr. Harvey-Smith
knew the extent of the costs.

In that regard, it is important to consider the actual facts. Except for one invoice (August 10, 2021
for $2,000+) that may have been shared with Dr. Harvey-Smith and approved by her, she claims
she did not see the other invoices. That none of the other invoices indicate that she approved
them for payment (rather, they were approved by a “JD,” who the Investigator says is Jennifer
Donovan, and in a couple instances, “BAS,” who is presumably Barry Shepard) bears witness to
Dr. Harvey-Smith’s lack of knowledge. The Investigator seems to concede the same point by
acknowledging that Mr. Shepard, because he was worried about being terminated, did not raise
any issues with Dr. Harvey-Smith, even though it was his job to do so. Moreover, the Investigator
acknowledges that Pipitone “likely exceeded the scope of services initially envisioned,” which
suggests that Dr. Harvey-Smith could not have reasonably expected such big bills. Also, Mr.
Woods’ gratis work, while helpful to the project, may have inadvertently obscured from Dr. Harvey-
Smith the actual amount and cost of the work being done. It very well could have been the case,
from Dr. Harvey-Smith’s vantage point, that the work being done by Pipitone did no more than
top off the College’s financial commitment to the level of the retainer, which means that it was not
costing the College any more than what it was already paying to Pipitone for other services All
of these facts point inexorably to the conclusion that Dr. Harvey-Smith did not have a reasonable
basis for knowing that the financial commitment by the College ended up being $32,000.

To summarize, Dr. Harvey-Smith believed in good faith that the book was a College project. The
book bore at least some indicia of a College project. Dr. Harvey-Smith did not obscure or hide
the book (or any payments by the College) from others, engaging the College community both
while the book was being drafted and after it was published. The book had important marketing
potential for the College, and it is common for institutions of higher learning to use books authored
by faculty and administration as a means of marketing. The financial arrangements were above
board and known by others at the College.

Perhaps the only problem was project management. Dr. Harvey-Smith does a lot of things very
well, but the costs for the book admittedly exceeded Dr. Harvey-Smith’s expectations. In the
future, such a project could be more closely scrutinized from a cost standpoint. For example, a
simple budget imposed from the beginning and monitored periodically would have alleviated the
issues dealt with by the Investigator. Dr. Harvey-Smith perhaps perceived that budget as being

16
the retainer with Pipitone, but someone reviewing the invoices and armed with a budget could
have stepped in when it became clear that the budget was going to be exceeded, thus providing
the opportunity for a course correction. It was never Dr. Harvey-Smith’s intention to spend much
money on the book, and timely reminders about meeting budget assuredly would have had a
prophylactic effect.

But regardless of cost, Dr. Harvey-Smith’s book project was a reasonable exercise of Presidential
power. As stated earlier, the President at a private, not-for-profit school holds a great amount of
power. That power is not unlimited, as it is proscribed law, by regulation, by College policy, by
Board directives, and notions of common sense, decency, service and doing the “right thing.”
What is clear from the Investigator’s report is that Dr. Harvey-Smith, in exercising her inherent
power as President, did not violate any laws, did not violate any regulations, did not violate any
policies, did not contravene Board directives, and at all times acted with common sense and
decency and, in the tradition of service, tried to do the right thing for the College.

The Investigator’s report at times seems to conduct a cost/benefit analysis. The cost of the book
to the College was $32,000. The benefits, frankly, are not capable of being measured. But what
is measurable is Dr. Harvey-Smith’s contribution to the fiscal solvency of he College. In that
regard, since 2019, she has been able to obtain over $25 million in new grant funding, almost $2
million in NSF grants, and a quarter-million dollars in funding for indirect costs. Ex. C.4. Even
while exiled from the office and limited in her ability to meet with potential donors while the
investigation was conducted, Dr. Harvey-Smith has continued to raise money for the College.
The following have been secured since July 1, 2023:

Preparing High School Students for

EQT Foundation $7,500.00 Secured
Robotics Careers
PA Department of
Expand opportunities for every
Education: Strengthening
student to explore, choose, and
Career and Technical
follow CTE programs of study and $488,802.00 Secured
Education for the 21st
career pathways to earn
Century Act (Perkins V)
credentials of value
2021-2022
Citrone 33 Foundation Social Worker Salary $33,000.00 Secured
Scott Electric Foundation Parking lot light upgrade $30,000.00 Secured
Holistically supporting veteran
Enbridge Fueling Futures student needs at Pittsburgh $5,000.00 Secured
Technical College

It is also worth noting that Dr. Harvey-Smith has given to the College out of her own (or her
husband’s) pocket, in the amount of roughly $12,750, for various things (Day of Giving, PTC
Education Foundation, food). Thus, any cost/benefit analysis relative to the book (and the
scholarship and the copying contract) shows that for a very small relative cost, Dr. Harvey-Smith
has provided a massive benefit to the College.

17
We hope that the Board will see through the inadequacies of the Investigator’s report, and the
self-serving and destructive agenda of the anonymous, “negative energy” complainants, and
conclude that Dr. Harvey-Smith has broken no law, regulation, rule, policy or directive, and at all
times has acted in the very best interest of the College.

Very truly yours,

Michael A. Pavlick

MAP/jms
Enclosures

cc: Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith ([email protected])

18
 ^ CENTRAL /w ,
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY / VVC U.LL

To whom it may concern:

I am currently a tenured full professor and Director of the Sports Management

Division at Central Michigan University. I have more than 30 years of experience in
multiple roles in higher education leadership including faculty, program director, division
director, dean, assistant vice president for academic affairs, vice president for academic
affairs, advancement fellow, and presidential fellow.

I know Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith as a highly respected thought leader in higher

education. She is a known expert and has published multiple books which have enhanced
her reputation in academia. As a result of that reputation, she is asked to serve on and lead
important national committees, which in turn promotes the school for which she works.

In my experience, the publishing of books is invaluable marketing for an institution

of higher learning. You simply cannot pay for that kind of marketing, as it creates a high
level of brand awareness. I have had the opportunity to take courses at Harvard University.
Facilities or technology, for example, do not set Harvard apart. Rather, what sets Harvard
apart is the expertise it brings to the table in the form of its administration and faculty.
Because they have published books, these individuals are considered "thought leaders."
They can "walk the walk" and it is their knowledge and reputation that sets Harvard apart
from other institutions.

Higher faculty and administrators have expected responsibilities in three different

areas: teaching, research/scholarship, and service. Work produced in these areas market
faculty/administrators, and therefore their schools. Publishing articles or books is
important to that marketing. The importance is highlighted by colleges and universities
which devote considerable resources to their own publishing arms (called a "press").

In my experience, publishing books and deciding how to pay for publishing costs are
things left to the discretion of the President of the school, so long as it does not violate any
policy, directive or code of conduct. Indeed, the scope of a President's job is broad and
provides immense authority to carry out the mission of the college, unless expressly
prohibited. Presidents at private institutions have even more authority.

Apart from publishing decisions, another area this applies to is the award of
scholarships. Presidents have broad discretion to award scholarships, and so-called
Presidential Scholarships awarded by Presidents are ubiquitous in higher education. It is
EXHIBIT
quite common to offer scholarships to high school students who have not applied or been
admitted. Athletic scholarships are a prime (but not the only) example. Another example
are tuition discounts (up to 100%) for faculty and staff members and their families, which
are promised before a student applies, is admitted, and enrolls.

There is significant marketing and promotional value in awarding scholarships.

Interestingly, while it is common to ascribe to scholarships a dollar value, the actual cost to
the awarding institution is marginal, particularly where the college or program is under­
enrolled and the award does not prevent another student from enrolling. Thus,
scholarships are a very cost-effective way of promoting and marketing the school.

If I can be of any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Dr. Vincent E. Mumford

Director
Sports Management Division
feNTD Alm
wEHI I KMH Health Professions Bldg. 1218
MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, MI 48859
P: 989-774-1040 | E: [email protected]
V: https://cmich.webex.com/meet/mumfolve
www.cmich.edu
 HACC Office of the President
One HACC Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-736-4100
www.hacc.edu

Oct. 11,2023

To whom it may concern:

I have known Dr. Harvey-Smith personally and professionally for over a decade and have seen firsthand how she
demonstrates servant leadership and works tirelessly to change lives, destinies, and family trees through higher
education. In fact, of the colleges she has been associated with, she has consistently proven to be a highly respected
educator and administrator who learned from and was promoted into senior roles by legends in our sector of higher
education. Since her arrival at Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC), a challenged institution of higher learning, I
(and several of my peers) have admired and celebrated her bold and thoughtful leadership as she works tirelessly to
be the ‘change agent’ necessary to give PTC a fighting chance to survive and provide educational opportunities to
those who otherwise might not be able to attend college.

Having been a college president for two decades, I know firsthand that we are given license by our Boards to
exercise broad powers in leading our institutions to fulfill their missions. We are expected to act reasonably,
legally, morally, and ethically and apply that authority granted to us with circumspection. Successful presidents,
like Dr. Harvey-Smith must have the latitude necessary to provide courageous and innovative leadership to an
institution like PTC to not only survive but thrive. By doing so, it is inevitable that she will be challenged by those
whose selfish interests are focused on protecting their own welfare rather than acting in the best interests of the
College and, most importantly, students.

In addition, another area of leadership reserved for presidents is the administration of scholarships including
presidential scholarships. Unless forbidden to do so by the Board, presidents award scholarships to market the
college and enroll students who otherwise may not consider the institution for their educational journey. Thus, there
is considerable value in awarding scholarships to bring recognition to and promote the college within the
communities it serves, whether through scholarships or scholarship (such as writing a book or article).

I, personally, have experienced the “buzz saw” that leadership of an institution of higher learning during these
tumultuous times in this industry can experience. At one point, my Board was regularly receiving anonymous
complaints about me, which were investigated by an outside law firm at great cost to the college. Those complaints
had no merit, and the board finally instituted a rule that they would no longer consider anonymous complaints,
which has eliminated those unprofessional communiques.

Hopefully, the transformational leadership being provided by Dr. Harvey-Smith at this time in the lifecycle of PTC,
is celebrated and that, as the only employee the Board is responsible for, is strongly encouraged, supported, and
defended, if necessary.

If I may provide additional insights into the impeccable character of a colleague who is highly respected throughout
the Pittsburgh area, state, and country, please contact me.
 Community College of Beaver County
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT • DR. ROGER W. DAVIS

October’S,7023

To Whom It May Concern:

I am the President of the Community College of Beaver County. During my tenure, I have had the
opportunity to interact with Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith and know her to be a dedicated leader who can be
counted on to do provide impactful, positive, ethical and moral stewardship during the best and worst
of times.

A college president's powers can be far-reaching, even while limited by policy, procedures, practices and
protocols. A college's Board can expand or restrict presidential authority, but the day-to-day operations
and decisions are left to the college president The college president is, in effect, the CEO of the
campus. That is not just the industry practice; such a delegation of power is, in fact, mandated by the
Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

That presidential power may extend to things like scholarships. Scholarships are a valuable marketing
tool for colleges, and even one scholarship given to a student at a particular high school can create an
enrollment pipeline for that high school. As the President of an institution not unlike Pittsburgh
Technical College, I believe strongly that our work is high school by high school. Anyone who argues
that the award of a scholarship to a high school student does not create value for the awarding
institution is missing the "big picture." In my own experience, for example, upon being advised by the
Aliquippa school district superintendent that four students could not pay to attend our High School
Academy, I directed my staff to free up the resources to allow those students to attend. Cultivating high
schools to create an enrollment pipeline is a long-term strategy.

In regard to the publishing of books and articles by faculty, administrators and staff, this is
commonplace in academia and, like scholarships, can provide valuable marketing for the college. I
published a book, which resulted in invitations to workshops, where I was able to promote my college,
along with my book.

I hope this has been helpful and I am happy to try to answer any additional questions you may have.

President

1 Campus Drive • Monaca, Pennsylvania 15061-2588 • 724-480-2222 • 800-335-0222 • Fax 724-480-3573 • www.ccbc.edu
HarveySmith, Alicia

From: Russell, Mike

Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2023 9:25 AM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia
Cc: Holloway, Jayme
Subject: RE: Program Costs
Attachments: Tuition Chart -Calalog .xlsx

I briefly spoke this morning and determined that there is no "packaged" cost. The breakdown for the School of
Information Systems and Technology $370/credit, plus $l,200/quarter in fees. Housing is $428.75/quarter.
• The 1ST (All Concentrations) Bachelor Degree is one hundred and sixty eight (168) credit hrs.; thirty-three (33)
months of classroom instruction followed by a three (3) month Internship.
o Total costs w/out books would be $62,160 for tuition, $14,400 in fees, $5,145 in housing.
o The total estimated cost for a BS Degree is $81,705, without book costs.
• The ISTF (Security & Forensics) Associate Degree requires one hundred and sixteen (116) credit hrs.; twenty-one
(21) months of classroom instruction followed by a three (3) month Internship.
o The total costs for an AS Degree w/out books is $42,920 for tuition, $8,400 in fees, $3,001.25 in housing,
o Total estimated cost for an AS Degree is $54,321.25 without book costs.

I received the attached Tuition Chart spreadsheet from Student Accounts this morning, but the "per Academic Year"
doesn't quite make sense to me being that we have four (4) quarters per year, despite the basis being a 9-month
enrollment.

-M

From: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected] >

Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 5:00 PM
To: Russell, Mike <[email protected]>
Cc: Holloway, Jayme <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Program Costs

His program of interest is Cyber Security. What the length and costs with housing.

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Russell, Mike <[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, July.18, 2023 4:35:51 PM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>
Cc: Holloway, Jayme <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Program Costs

I do not see his name in the application process.

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From: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 4:10:57 PM
To: Russell, Mike <[email protected] >

1
 Based on Full-Time 9 Monti
Estimated Tuition
Bachelor of Science Degree Programs per Academic Year
Business Administration $15,840.00
Business Administration - Online* $15,840.00
Information Systems and Technology $18,500.00
Information Systems and Technology - Online* $20,350.00

Bachelor of Science Degree EARN** Program

Applied Management* $9,900.00
Business Administration* $10,560.00
Information Systems and Technology $11,840.00

Associate Degree Programs

Business
Business Administration $16,170.00
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice $16,100.00
Criminal Justice -Online* $16,100.00
Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts $15,660.00
Design
Computer Aided Drafting $19,610.00
Graphic Design $13,300.00
Digital Media and Video Production $14,000.00
Energy and Electronics Technology
Electronics Engineering Technology $17,390.00
Electronic Engineering Technology - Online* $17,020.00
Autonomus Robotics $17,390.00
Gesundheitswesen
Medical Office Administration - Online* $14,210.00
Surgical Technology $16,100.00
Information Systems and Technology
Computer Information Systems-Software Development $19,980.00
Information Technology $18,500.00
Information Technology - Online* $18,500.00
Web/UX Design $14,430.00
Krankenpflege
Nursing $21,090.00
LPN TO ASN Track $21,460.00
Trades Technology
HVAC Technology $14,300.00
Welding Technology $14,210.00
Certificate Programs
Baking and Pastry $12,470.00
Culinary Arts $13,340.00
Electrician Technology $13,630.00
 HVAC Technology $14,560.00
Medical Coding (Online) $10,920.00
Practical Nursing $16,640.00
Thereapeutic Massage Practicioner $13,520.00
Welding Technology $12,470.00

Academic year defined as 3 terms - 30 weeks

* Online Program Only - No Housing
** Education Advancement Rewards Now - See website for details
HarveySmith, Alicia

From: Ramirez, Rebecca

Sent: Monday, June 5, 2023 10:12 AM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia; Alexander Oltmanns
Subject: RE: Nazareth Prep Commencement Posts are Live!

I am preparing a scholarship letter that I will send to you for approval today.

Becky

Becky Duncan-Ramirez, EdD

Pittsburgh Technical College
Interim Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs
412.809.5278
Ramirez.Rebecca (5)ptcollege.edu

From: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>

Sent: Friday, June 2, 2023 3:35 PM
To: Alexander Oltmanns <[email protected]>; Ramirez, Rebecca <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Nazareth Prep Commencement Posts are Live!

Becky please provide scholarship details and I will include in presentation.

Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, Ph.D.

President/CEO
Pittsburgh Technical College
1111 McKee Road
Oakdale, PA. 15071

Super Omnes Discipulus - The Student Above AH

Pittsburgh Technical College Crest

PEST
COLLEGES
From: Alexander Oltmanns <aoltmanns(n)pipitone.com>
Sent: Friday, June 2, 2023 3:28 PM
To: Ramirez, Rebecca <Ramirez.Rebecca(q)ptcollege.edu>; HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>;
Kondos, Rebecca <[email protected]>; Daffinee, Natalie <[email protected]>; Ferguson,
Shiantal <[email protected]>; Mansberger, Ethan <[email protected]>
Cc: Lynn McMahon <[email protected]>; Kelsey Hecht <[email protected]>; Caitie Fink
<[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Nazareth Prep Commencement Posts are Live!

Good catch. I've updated in the posts.

Nazareth Prep has it written as a four-year scholarship, so I will reach out to them ahead of commencement to avoid any
errors in their commencement program.

Alex Oltmanns
Senior Public Relations Strategist

Pipftone
3933 Perrysville Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15214
P 412.321.0879
[email protected]

pipitone expect GREAT

pipitone.com | Facebook | Linkedln

From: Ramirez, Rebecca <[email protected]>

Sent: Friday, June 2,2023 3:24 PM
To: Alexander Oltmanns <[email protected]>; HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>; Kondos,
Rebecca <[email protected]>; Daffinee, Natalie <[email protected]>; Ferguson, Shiantal
<[email protected]>: Mansberger, Ethan <[email protected]>
Cc: Lynn McMahon <[email protected]>: Kelsey Hecht <[email protected]>; Caitie Fink
<[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Nazareth Prep Commencement Posts are Live!

Alex...the post says a 4 year scholarship and this should be a 2-year scholarship as we do not have any 4 year degrees.

Thanks,
B

Becky Duncan-Ramirez, EdD

Pittsburgh Technical College
Interim Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs
412.809.5278
[email protected]

2
From: Alexander Oltmanns <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 2,2023 2:16 PM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <HarveySmith.Alicia(S)ptcollege.edu>; Ramirez, Rebecca <[email protected]>;
Kondos, Rebecca <[email protected]>; Daffinee, Natalie <[email protected] >; Ferguson,
Shiantal <Ferguson.Shianta)@ptcollege.edu>; Mansberger, Ethan <[email protected]>
Cc: Lynn McMahon <[email protected]>; Kelsey Hecht <[email protected]>; Caitie Fink
<[email protected]>
Subject: Nazareth Prep Commencement Posts are Live!

PTC team.

Please see attached for the social media posts previewing Dr. Harvey-Smith's upcoming commencement address (and
scholarship announcement for one student) at Nazareth Prep next week!

Thanks,
Alex

Alex Oltmanns
Senior Public Relations Strategist

Pipitone
3933 Perrysviile Avenue ] Pittsburgh, PA 15214
P 412.321.0879
[email protected]

pipitone expect GREAs

pipitone.com | Facebook | Linkedln

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3
ATTACHMENT RESPONSE 2

DTr- PITTSBURGH
1 TECHNICAL COLLEGE
A HtCHCR STANDARD

Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, Ph.D., Pr<.-aidenT

1111 McKc’<' Road, O.nkdalo PA 1 SO71
■412.809.5306
Harv<»ySmith.AliciaG5ptcoll«fi9<».-ecii4
PTCo 11 o.eci u

June 8, 2023

Dear Gimbo Stunkel:

Dr. Harvey-Smith, President/CEO of Pittsburgh Technical College is pleased to announce that you
have been selected as a recipient of the 2023 PTC Presidential Scholarship. The high recommendations
of Nazareth Prep High School administrators and your academic achievement in high school were taken
into consideration as the chosen recipient of this award.

The annual award is dependent on your FAFSA submission and acceptance of all federal and state
grants and scholarships. The President/CEO of Pittsburgh Technical College will provide the
remainder of the funding for tuition, fees, and housing, not to exceed the selected program’s length of
study. ...

All awards are reviewed annually for requirements below.

Below are the Presidential Scholarship requirements:

• You must begin your program of study within the 2023-2024 award year.
• - You must remain continuously enrolled.
• You must remain in good academic standing per PTC policy.
• This scholarship is based on full-time attendance.
• This scholarship is for your first certificate or degree only.

To begin your journey at Pittsburgh Technical College, please reach out to Enrollment Coordinator,
Torre Bowen [email protected]~) who will assist you with your application and enrollment
process at PTC.

Congratulations and we look forward to having you on campus!

Most Sincerely,

Dr. Harvey-Smith, President, CEO

cc: Becky Ramirez, V.P. Academic and Student Affairs

Stephen Lippiello, V.P. Institutional Finance/CFO
Torre Bowen, Enrollment Coordinator
Megan Lee, Financial Aid Director

EXHIBIT
Dear Dr. Harvey-Smith,

I am writing to express my thanks for the incredible honor of being awarded a Presidential
Scholarship to pursue my studies in cyber security at Pittsburgh Techincal Collage.

Receiving this scholarship is not only remarkable but also a life-changing opportunity for me.
This scholarship has boosted my confidence and motivated me to strive for excellence in my
academic pursuits.

My internship has let me explore many sides of jobs and how they work. Through my internship,
I found out about cybersecurity and the growing field it is. I think it will have many opportunities
for my future. My interest in computer information systems and cybersecurity comes from my
love of challenges. I strive to find ways to stimulate my brain. I have always loved working on
Rubik's cubes and playing games like chess.

I would love to explore internships during my college career and see what they have to offer in
my areas of interest.

It was a pleasure to see you and Mr Michael Russel at the PTC graduation and to see the
campus. It was unfortunate that the storm interrupted the ceremony, but being at the graduation
made me excited for what is to come.

Thank you once again for your support and for making my dreams a reality.

Yours sincerely,

Gimbo

GisnoO
 8235 Ohio River Boulevard
HOLY FAMILY Pittsburgh, PA 15202-1454
1 INJSTTTIITF 412.766.4030
wwv.hfi-pgh.org
Restoring Hope, Transforming Lives

October 2, 2023

Dear Board of Trustees,

I am extremely disheartened to hear of your concern regarding Dr. Harvey-Smith awarding the
first Presidential Scholarship to a Nazareth Prep graduate. The purpose of this letter is to
provide some context for the much-deserved award that has already positively impacted an
entire family.

I am the CEO of Holy Family Institute and President of Nazareth Prep. I was pleased to hear in
2017 that PTI was transitioning to a private, nonprofit, accredited institution, as I believed that
Nazareth Prep graduates could benefit from the college's degrees and certificate programs. I
visited the school and discussed the new education program that we were creating at Nazareth
Prep, hoping the school would host a student intern who would then attend PTC. The one
concern I had was that the school's student body was predominantly White, while over 90% of
Nazareth Prep's graduates are Black.

When Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith was appointed President of Pittsburgh Technical College, I took
notice and introduced myself. I wanted Dr. Harvey-Smith to know Nazareth Prep; the only
private Catholic high school in Pittsburgh with a unique focus on preparing students for college
and careers through weekly internships. Nazareth Prep is possibly the largest private high
school in Western Pennsylvania with a majority Black student population. She and I periodically
discussed ways we could introduce Nazareth Prep students to PTC (as interns for example), and
our students have regularly toured the campus. The idea was that our students would benefit
from the exposure to a college, and Nazareth Prep could become a feeder school for PTC.
Indeed, our emphasis at Nazareth Prep is college and career. We want to put forth a secondary
liberal arts education path, but not exclusively so, and PTC fills a niche for our students more
interested in a career path.

Dr. Harvey-Smith is aware that Nazareth Prep's students are from economically distressed
families. Our students intern one day each week all four years during high school at Pittsburgh's
leading corporations. These corporations mentor the students and help fund the cost of tuition.

I invited Dr. Harvey-Smith to speak at our graduation earlier in 2023. Also under consideration
was the President of Carlow, who is also African American and will speak next year. Dr. Harvey-
Smith graciously accepted to be the Commencement Speaker at Nazareth Prep. Only after I
extended the invitation and she accepted did she offer the scholarship on behalf of PTC. It was
entirely unexpected and not anything I had asked for. Her offer occurred shortly before the
actual graduation ceremony.
PTC's offer was very generous, but it is not unparalleled. For example, through an arrangement
with Duquesne University, Nazareth Prep graduates are automatically entitled to 50% off
tuition assuming they apply, are accepted, and enroll, solely because they graduated from
Nazareth Prep.

Dr. Harvey-Smith spoke at Nazareth Prep's graduation ceremony in June, where we had more
than 500 guests in attendance. Not only families of the students, but trustees of Holy Family
Institute, Holy Family Foundation, and Nazareth Prep were in attendance. Several of our
corporate internship partners celebrated the day with us as well. Recognizing the opportunity
to highlight Pittsburgh Technical College and its commitment to our shared community, Dr.
Harvey-Smith awarded the first Presidential Scholarship to a student of our choosing, a young
man adopted from Ethiopia who interned at LANXESS, becoming an amazing ambassador for
our school

What an amazing marketing opportunity for PTC. Dr. Harvey-Smith was introduced to many
influential Pittsburghers and potential students and corporations who are interested in
graduates from both of our academic institutions. It was a strategic and entrepreneurial
decision.

Dr. Harvey-Smith personally received nothing in exchange for her commencement speech. I do
not even recall providing her an honorarium.

I hope you will consider this information in your discernment of the scholarship award made by
Dr. Harvey-Smith.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with PTC to advance both of our missions to
prepare students for successful careers.

Respectfully,

Sister Linda Yankoski, CSFN, EdD

 THE WILSON GROUP
1:31
Dear Board of Trustees:

I am extremely disappointed and frustrated by news that the award of a copying vendor
contract to my company has been twisted to suggest that Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith has engaged in
misconduct. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I am the founder, President, and CEO of The Wilson Group KW23, LLC (TWG). TWG is a minority-
owned SHARP Multifunction Printer and Interactive Display Dealer and FP Mailing Solutions provider. I
started the business in 2012, after working as the Vice-President of Sales for Amcom/Xerox (Amcom).
Today, we are the only independent and locally owned business of its kind in Pittsburgh, as major
equipment manufacturers have purchased local competitors, operated and supported the businesses
from out of town, and limited the products they could sell. We experienced 644% growth in our first
three years, earning TWG first place in the Pittsburgh Business Times "Top 100 Fastest Growing
Companies" for 2015 and first place in the "Best Places to Work" (mid-size category) for 2016.

I was introduced a year ago to Dr. Harvey-Smith at a Black Leaders Conference in West Virginia
that was hosted by the President of Carlow University. We agreed to meet in the future to discuss
mutual interests. During one of our meetings, she asked if TWG would donate to the PTC Education
Foundation, which I understand was a non-profit foundation formed to raise money for Pittsburgh
Technical College (PTC). I agreed to do so, offering $100,000 spread out over four years ($25,000/year).
There were no strings attached to the donation. TWG's charitable giving is nothing new or unique. Over
10 years, we have donated $1.0 million dollars.

Subsequently, I asked Dr. Harvey-Smith to set up a meeting between my TWG team and her
leadership team. She graciously agreed to the meeting, presumably because of our reputation in the
education space as well as our ability to provide other services in the future. During our meeting, Bill
Showers from PTC mentioned they were about to sign a new 5-year lease with incumbent Amcom on
equipment that was three years old while also removing two production devices. At that point, I did a
walk through with Mr. Showers in coordination with my Education sector specialist, Vinnie Delionibus.

Thereafter, I stepped away from the process and PTC worked with Mr. Deleonibus. My
understanding is that Dr. Harvey-Smith also ceased to be involved at that point. We were asked to
submit a bid on PTC's copying contract. TWG submitted a bid at roughly $13,000 per month, not to Dr.
Harvey-Smith but to other PTC employees she had designated. Amcom's bid was approximately
$22,000 per month. At that point, I was told that an RFP process would be conducted, and my
understanding is that Mr. Showers and Gretchen Gardner then shared TWG's confidential bid with
Amcom. Not coincidentally, Amcom's bid went down from $22,000 to just a shade under $13,000. Had
TWG never been asked to bid for the copying contract, PTC would still be paying Amcom $22,000 per

147 Delta Drive Pittsburgh PA 15238

 THE WILSON GROUP

month, which is all profit for them (Amcom would not have lowered its bid otherwise). We
lowered our bid as part of the RFP, and I was led to believe TWG was the lower bid by almost $400 per
month. Moreover, our bid included entirely new equipment for PTC, while Amcom's proposal was to re­
lease to PTC older equipment. Additionally, we also included our BRM portion which was to supply the
school 18 bins throughout the campus. Amcom does not offer that service.

I understand it has been suggested that there was a quid pro quo between the award of the
contract to TWG and Dr. Harvey-Smith. Dr. Harvey-Smith and I never discussed linking the grant to the
Education Foundation and the award of the contract, and Dr. Harvey-Smith had no contact with me
regarding our initial bid, the RFP process, our improved bid, and the deliberative process. In fact, I am
offended by the notion that, because a college run by a Black woman awarded a contract to a business
run by a Black man, the perception is that it was improperly granted. TWG's education group has
contracts with, for example, West Allegheny School District (where we also replaced Amcom) and Holy
Family Institute/ Foundation (where Amcom had also been a provider). Both organizations are run by
white women. Would we even be having this conversation if Dr. Harvey-Smith was White and the
contract was awarded to a non-MBE business?

I am happy to provide additional information, but I want to make it clear that apart from making
the introduction, I am not aware of any role played by Dr. Harvey-Smith in the award of PTC's copyng
contract and she made no promise or commitment to me about the copying contract in return for
TWG's financial commitment to the PTC Education Foundation. We made the low cost and more
attractive bid, and that is, and should be, the story here.

Thank you,

fDewddl S. Wihan
President/Owner
The Wilson Group

147 Delta Drive Pittsburgh PA 15238

 West Allegheny School District
A Tradition of Excellence ... A Vision for Tomorrow

Date: 6/12/2003

Dear Dr. Harvey-Smith and PTC Board of Directors,

It is my sincere pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for The Wilson Group

(TWG), LLC. West Allegheny was formerly an Amcom supported District, for more
than 15 years. Our experience was inconsistent with Amcom and very costly. We
decided to conduct a request for proposal and The Wilson Group came out on top by a
significant margin. TWG not only has the best prices, but they also guarantee out of the
box new equipment and provide a customer service package that exceeds competitors.
We signed an eight (8) year contract TWG, which began in June 2018. As part of the
eight (8) year contract, a device refresh was included after the first four years. The
device refresh included brand new, out-of-the box equipment. As part of our contract and
partnership, TWG has worked closely with our technology team to implement paper cut,
a print management software application that in part establishes printing limits, deploys
printers and provides scanning to email and cloud storage. It also provides printing
analytics and reporting to assist in cost containment.

In addition to the high-quality devices, excellent service package, which is proactive

rather than reactive, and assistance in printing cost containment, TWG has stellar
customer service. The CEO, Derrick Wilson, makes it a point to meet with me personally
several times per year to assess the account and ensure West Allegheny is pleased with
TWG’s services. These meetings are not pitch meetings but rather truly focused on
service quality and ways TWG can better serve us.

It is without reservation that I would recommend TWG to Pittsburgh Technical College.

I have made similar recommendations to Peters Township School District and The Moon
Area Township School District. You will not be disappointed. Please do not hesitate to
contact me with any specific questions pertaining to TWG, 412-680-2065

Respectfully,

Jerri Lynn Lippert, EdD

Superintendent

Jerri Lynn Lippert, Superintendent

P.O. Box 55 • Imperial PA 15126 • (724) 695-5210
An equal opportunity school district
 HarveySmith, Alicia

^--^Subject: Higher Education On The Brink: Reimagining Strategic Enrollment Management in

College and Universities

ATTACHMENT RESPONSE 1

From: HarveySmith, Alicia <HarveySmith.Alicia(5)ptcollege.edu>

Sent: Friday, April 8, 2022 12:14 PM
To: Margaret Williams-Betlyn <mwbhwb(a>gmail.com>; Wayne Zanardelli <wzanardelli(a|aol.com>; Eli Shorak
<eshorak2(5)gmail.com>; 'Patricia Grey' <grevpa(S)gmail.com>; [email protected] <carlarvba(g)yahoo.com>; Harold
L. Maley <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; Michael Marr
<[email protected]>; Jeff Sarabok <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>;
CRYSTAL MCCORMICK <[email protected]>; Brown, Jason <[email protected]>
Cc: Holloway, Jayme <[email protected]>; Psotka, Brenda <Psotl<[email protected]>;
'[email protected]' <[email protected]>

Subject: Higher Education On The Brink: Reimagining Strategic Enrollment Management in College and Universities

Dear PTC Trustee and Foundation Board:

It was great to engage with you at yesterday's meeting and it is my hope and that of Chair Betlyn that you found the
meeting both informative and efficient, utilizing the new format.

--Courchased a copy of my latest release for each of you and provided yesterday. I hope you will enjoy it.

Higher Education On the Brink: Reimagining Strategic Enrollment Management in Colleges and Universities has been a
labor of love, envisioned prior to my appointment as President here but deeply nurtured by our work at PTC.

Much of the work that was achieved throughout the Pandemic as we developed our Strategic Plan and the processes
involved are chronicled as a unique case study, as is my work as Executive Vice Chancellor at Lone Star College, where
similar strategies helped achieve record enrollment of 100,000 students annually.

Prior to release, I was deeply honored to have multiple Presidents and Higher Education Leaders from across the country
both read, react, and endorse this work, including local and regional presidents in Pennsylvania. I was happy to have
included these endorsements and reviews within the book for reference.

Sometime in the future an official launch and book signing event will be hosted, where a portion of the proceeds will be
donated to support PTC student scholarships.

I hope that you will take a moment to read the dedication and acknowledgments as I wanted to acknowledge the work of
the Board, College Leadership, and the faculty and staff who supported the strategic vision for positioning PTC for the
future by developing a comprehensive Strategic Plan, which is now being referenced by colleges and universities
nationally.

Again, I am happy to share this work with you and hope that it will instill additional optimism and confidence in PTC's next
chapter.

. .iank you for your continued advocacy on PTC's behalf and continued support of the good work to come.
 Embracing the PTC Magic.
Alicia
President/CEO
^Pittsburgh Technical College

2
ATTACHMENT RESPONSE 1

7C PTC
years! PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
A HIGHER STANDARD

THE PATH FORWARD

END OF YEAR REPORT

PRESIDENT'S COMPREHENSIVE
PROGRESS ON CONTRACTUAL GOALS AND
PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL INDICATORS

JULY 2021 - JULY 2022

Submitted
Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, Ph.D
President/CEO

Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity.

Og Mandino

EXHIBIT
 Summary

Presidential Key Meetings, Presentations and Publications

I am privileged to have had the opportunity to conduct several

critically important meetings throughout this fiscal year, many
leading to effective strategic partnerships with the institution and
all leading to greater awareness of the work that we do to educate
and train the workforce.

Meetings with Citrone33 Foundation, Highmarkand state legislators

led to additional funding support for critical initiatives.

PTC welcomed Aurora for an on-campus Meetings with West Virginia University, Carnegie Mellon University,
meeting and tour. Robert Morris University, Aurora Tech and Invest Pittsburgh led
to effective strategic partnerships and articulation agreements to
expand opportunity for PTC students.

Our discussions with BNY Mellon and the Eden Hall Foundation are opening future doors for major gifts and
scholarship solicitations.

I was also privileged to be invited to speak across our region and nation for K&L Gates, the African
American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, RNL Business Group, Evolllution Podcasts, the
Higher Education Research Development Institute and the Marcus Evans Higher Education Leadership on
Transforming Institutions and Strategic Enrollment Management. I view this as an honor to represent PTC and
our ability to provide solid thought leadership.

It was an honor to serve on the Pittsburgh Council of Higher Education, Association of Independent College
& University Presidents, American Association of Colleges & Universities, the American Association of
Community Colleges and to work closely with local career and technical education centers, school districts
and faith-based organizations in our quest to heighten awareness and increase enrollment.

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to write and submit both articles and opinion pieces to
better position PTC for the future as we achieve the status of educator of choice for applied and technical
colleges throughout our region. For a detailed listing of these activities, please visit https://president.
ptcollege.edu/.

I am also pleased with the release of my sixth book: Higher Education on the Brink: Reimagining Strategic
Enrollment Management in Colleges and Universities, and its ability to be used as a blueprint for the
transformation of PTC and other institutions during this most unprecedented time in higher education.

Dr. Harvey-Smith discussed her perspective Dr. Harvey-Smith spoke at K&L Gates on international Women's
on the state of higher education at the African Day to address how employers and higher education can build
American Chamber of Commerce of Western workplaces where women will thrive, and forge empowerment
PA's PowerBreakfast. of women by elevating their visibility in the workplace.

34 Pittsburgh Technical College President's Assessment • The Path Forward: End Of Year Report
As noted in the acknowledgment of Higher Education on the Brink: Reimagining Strategic Enrollment in
Colleges and Universities, I am honored to acknowledge the President's Cabinet and Board of Trustees of
PTC for embracing a collective and transformative vision as we plan a future by our design, as well as to the
courageous leaders of our Strategic Planning Taskforce and the more than 70 volunteers who dare to dream
with me.

The Path Forward

PTC's path forward will require intense hardwork and focus on all levels. It will require strategy and will. It
requires a remaking and examinination of who we are and everything that we do and how we do it. But this is
not a reassembling of core values. This will be a period of adaptation and laser focus on our people, systems
and outcomes.

We are smart, we care and we can achieve this because we must! It is our calling and we are the answer for
many students. So, if we fail to adapt, we fail to move forward.

I thank the Board of Trustees fortheir continued confidence and belief in this administration to lead through
difficult times and to come out victorious on the other side. As President, I remain committed to both hard
work and heart work, as I work with committed passion to build high-performing teams and to nurture our
organizational culture in a manner that leads to optimum results as we rebuild and right size the institution,
reverse current enrollment trends, accelerate fundraising, improve systems and ignite greater organizational
and student success.

We know what will lead us forward and what will hold us back and with wisdom, together, we choose the path
forward.
 1111 MCKEE ROAD
OAKDALE PA 15071
DTr PITTSBURGH
412.809.5100
riU TECHNICAL COLLEGE
1.800.784.9675
A HIGHER STANDARD PTCollege.edu

CONTACT: Barry Shepard

Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Pittsburgh Technical College
(412) 527-3446
[email protected]

LOCAL COLLEGE PRESIDENT PUBLISHES ACTION PLAN FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
TO ADAPT TO POST-PANDEMIC HIGHER EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT
Pittsburgh Technical College President Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, Ph.D.
addresses challenges in "Higher Education on the Brink"

PITTSBURGH—April XX, 2022- Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC) President Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, Ph.D.,
provides innovative strategies and actionable insights for colleges and universities to adapt to a changed
higher education environment in her latest book, "Higher Education on the Brink: Reimagining Strategic
Enrollment Management in Colleges and Universities."

Dr. Harvey-Smith, who has nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, is well versed in the
challenges higher education practitioners face as they strive to prepare students for a job market that
demands practical, technical skills and experience. Central in her strategy for addressing post-pandemic
challenges is strategic enrollment management (SEM).

In "On the Brink," Dr. Harvey-Smith makes a case for SEM, describes the considerations higher education
professionals should make as they develop SEM plans, details enrollment challenges and proposes
potential solutions. She provides step-by-step case studies of colleges that successfully have embraced
SEM. She also delves into strategic planning strategies, models for change management, and how to
reposition institutions for increased effectiveness.

"As enrollment benchmarks become harder to reach, it is imperative that institutions seize the
opportunity for strategic innovation and add the goal of developing multiple streams of revenue in all
strategic planning and enrollment management efforts to sustain operational continuity," says Dr. Harvey-
Smith. "The stakes are rising for institutions of higher education as we envision a vibrant new beginning
within a new normal."

Dr. Harvey-Smith was appointed president of PTC in 2019. Working with an inclusive team of college
employees, she has developed a five-year strategic plan to lead the college in its growth and development
as a leader in rebuilding the Commonwealth's workforce. She and her leadership team are evolving PTC
to be the educator of choice for technical and applied learning. By preparing students for jobs of the
future, PTC will be a pipeline to middle-skills careers while fueling economic development.

A NONPROFIT INSTITUTION
In addition to her role with PTC, Dr. Harvey-Smith serves as a board member of the Pittsburgh Council on
Higher Education (PCHE), Nazareth Prep and Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures. She received CEO of the Year
honors at 2021 Tech 50 Awards, presented by Pittsburgh Technology Council, which also recognized PTC
as the Innovator of the Year in the Nonprofit/Education/Community category. In addition. Dr. Harvey-
Smith was a 2021 Smart Pittsburgh Honoree, and under her leadership, "US News & World Report" ranked
Pittsburgh Technical College a 2021 Best College in Northern Region.

Dr. Harvey-Smith earned a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland; Master of Science degree from The
Johns Hopkins University; Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University, and a Certificate of
Completion from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education Seminars for Presidential Leadership.

To learn more, visit PTC's website and follow PTC on Facebook, Linkedln and Twitter.

"Higher Education on the Brink" is published by Rowman & Littlefield and American Association of
Community Colleges.

###

ABOUT PITTSBURGH TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Pittsburgh Technical College is a leading educator in the Pittsburgh region to prepare students for career success and has
the numbers to prove it: 100% of PTC's degree-seeking students experience onsite internships or clinical rotations, or
employer partnerships in capstone projects, before they graduate. It's this kind of experience that results in consistently
high in-field placement rates with a five-year average of 93% from 2016-2020. PTC's hallmark is academic excellence,
grounded in an environment that supports each student's professional and personal journey. With more than 30
associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs, PTC provides education that prepares students for career success in these
areas: Business, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Design and Engineering Technology, Healthcare, Nursing,
Information Systems and Technology, Trades Technology, and Energy and Electronics Technology. PTC has been part of
the region's education community for 75 years. For more information about PTC, visit www.ptcollege.edu.

PTC PITTSBURGH
riv TECHNICAL COLLEGE PTCoIlege.edu
From: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 20219:12 AM
To: Feather, Nancy <[email protected]>; Scarpino, John <ScarpinO [email protected]>; Clark, Rodney
<[email protected] >; Becker, David <[email protected]>
Cc: Raizin, Christine <[email protected]>
Subject: On The Brink - Revised Proofs (Urgent-Highly Confidential)

Dear Nancy, John, Rodney, Dave

As we round the corner with On the Brink, I thought it would be great to confidentially share my work on this important
project with only a few select readers for reaction.

I would be honored if the (3) of you would serve in this capacity. Please, let me know if you can review the attached
documents and share your reaction. We are not making major edits
at this time but if anything is unclear or appears in need of change do advise.

I will also be conducting a similar read with my primary. It is a quick turn around for review and we have been asked to
submit by tomorrow. Please advise if you are willing to conduct this added review, only if you have the time. This is a
completely optional request. @

If you decide to read, please let me know ASAP and provide you reactions. If unable also let
me know. In either case, please delete these attachments.

You will also receive a special copy of the final book when released.

Thanks,

Dr. Harvey-Smith

2
From: Shepard, Barry <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 1:21:35 AM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected] >; Holloway, Jayme <Holloway.Jayme(a)ptcollege.edu>;
Psotka, Brenda <[email protected]>
Cc: Feather, Nancy <[email protected]>; Fistler, Mary <[email protected]>
Subject: Faculty & Staff Acknowledgements -Degrees, Publications, Speaking Engagements

Dr. Harvey-Smith,

Here is the PowerPoint that will be streaming on the large size TV in the Library for the event tomorrow.

Regards,
Barry

Barry Shepard
VP Marketing & Communications
412-527-3446 (m)
412-908-5338 (o)
[email protected]

PTC
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
A HIGHER STANDARD

1
 Faculty & Staff Degrees Earned
Since July 2019

Brenda Psotka CERE and Certificate from the University of South Florida in Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Donald Hutchins Bachelor Science Applied Management

Eileent Steffan, Ed.D. Doctorate in Education

Jacob Muth Master of Science in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction; North East College of
Health Sciences
John Skarvj Bachelors of Applied Science in Surgical Technology

Joseph Dominick, DNP Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership; Carlow
University

PTC
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Faculty & Staff Degrees Earned
Since July 2019

Katie Staley Associate of Science in Business Administration

Kristy Swegman Masters Waynesburg University/Business Administration

Marcy Dunkle Master of Science with a concentration in Nursing Education; Waynesburg University

Melissa Wertz, Ed.D. Doctorate in Education

Rebecca Ramizrez, Ed.D. Doctorate in Education

Sarah Lamone Associate of Science in Medical Office Administration & Coding

Tracie Brady, Ed.D. Doctorate in Business Administration; William Taft University

7i PTC
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Faculty & Staff Degrees in Progress
Since 2019

Amanda Flesch MBA from Louisiana State University Shreveport

Andrea Shrenk Bachelor

Ashley Herrington Master of Science in Nursing Education at Aspen University

Courtney Clair Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP); Waynesburg University

Jennifer Wislon Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Waynesburg University

Samantha Bycura Master of Arts in Adult Education & Training

- PTC
^ars'-.i PITTSBURGH
: TECHNICAL COLLEGE
A srAJKsM®
 Faculty & Staff Degrees in Progress
Since 2019

Kaitlin Cobourne Ph.D. in Nursing Education through Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Katie Staley Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Kimberly Jutca Taylor Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus in Education Leadership; American
Sentinel College of Health Sciences at Post University
Michael Hodder Doctoral Candidate, Information Technology at the University of the Cumberlands

Monique McMillan Health Information Management at Western Governors University

Terri Ducsay, Ed.D. Education Doctorate with an Emphasis in Nursing and Health Professions Education;
Bryan College of Health Sciences

PTC
j PITTSBURGH
ttsgf TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Faculty & Staff Publications Since
July 2019
David Hertz Research team conducting research in conjunction with the FAA on Integration and
Security of UAS/UAV in the National Airspace

David Hertz "STUDY OF THE SECURITY OF COMMERCIAL DRONES" Proceedings of the

International Association for Computer Information Systems 60th International
Conference, October 2020, Virtual Conference

David Hertz "Influence of Data-Driven Methods in Predicting US Presidential Elections for a

Specific Age Range Using Social Media"

David Hertz "2020 Analyzing College Students' Pre-Knowledge and Post-Knowledge of

Embedded Software Security and Its Impact Towards Future Internet of Things (loT)
Developments," IACIS Issues in Information Systems: Volume 21, Issue 2, pp. 93-
101, 2020 --accepted for presentation and awarded Best pedagogy

n n
, PITTSBURGH
'xs<c555?^ z TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Faculty & Staff Publications Since
July 2019
John Buhagiar Sybex - CCNA Certification Practice Tests: Exam 200-301 (Author)

John Buhagiar Sybex - CompTIA Network+ Review Guide: Exam N10-008 (Author)

John Buhagiar "Influence of Data-Driven Methods in Predicting US Presidential Elections for a

Specific Age Range Using Social Media" (Author)

John Buhagiar CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam 220-
1102 (Author)

John Buhagiar MCA Modern Desktop Administrator Complete Study Guide: Exam MD-100 and
Exam MD-101 (Technical Editor)
PIT?

PTC
PITTSBURGH
TTCHNICALCOLLEGE
 Faculty & Staff Publications Since
July 2019
John Buhagiar Sybex - MCA Modern Desktop Administrator Practice Tests: Exam MD-100 and MD-
101 (Technical Editor)

John Buhagiar Sybex - MCA Microsoft 365 Teams Administrator Study Guide: Exam MS-700
(Technical Editor)

John Buhagiar Sybex - Mastering Microsoft Teams: Creating a Hub for Successful Teamwork in
Office 365 1st Edition (Technical Editor)

Kaitlin Cobourne Cobourne, K., & Shellenbarger, T. (2019). "Taming the writing demons: Overcoming
writing apprehension." Nurse Author & Editor, 29(1), 5.

Kaitlin Cobourne Contributor to publication: Shellenbarger, T. (2020). Academic Clinical Nurse

Educator Review Book: The Official NLN Guide to the CNE®cl Exam. National League
for Nursing.

PITTSBURGH
technical college
 Faculty & Staff Publications Since
July 2019
Kaitlin Cobourne Cobourne, K., & Shellenbarger, T. (2021)." Virtual site visits: A new approach to
nursing accreditation." Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 16(2), 162-165.

Kaitlin Cobourne Cobourne, K. & M. Robb. (2022). "Virtual post-examination review: Strategies to
promote student reflection." Nurse Educator. Published before print.

Lee Cottrell 2021 Co-PI NSF Step Into STEM grant

Lee Cottrell 2020 "Analyzing College Students' Pre-Knowledge and Post-Knowledge of

Embedded Software Security and Its Impact Towards Future Internet of Things (loT)
Developments, IACIS Issues in Information Systems": Volume 21, Issue 2, pp. 93-
101, 2020 -accepted for presentation and awarded Best Pedagogy

Lee Cottrell 2019 "A Comparative Study Analyzing Computer Programming College Students'
Pre-Knowledge And Post-Knowledge Of Software Application Security Using Owasp,
IACIS Issues in Information Science", Volume 20 Issue 2, September 2019

PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Faculty & Staff Publications Since
July 2019
Dennis McNeil, Ed.D. 2021 Co-PI NSF Step Into STEM Grant

Michael Hodder, MS, MSBA, CEH, "Influence of Data-Driven Methods in Predicting US Presidential Elections
CHFI, MCP & Co-Principal for a Specific Age Range Using Social Media"
Investigator NSF CERP grant

Rick Bryant "Influence of Data-Driven Methods in Predicting US Presidential Elections

for a Specific Age Range Using Social Media"

PTC
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Dr. Harvey-Smith’s Publications
Since July 2019

Evolllution "The Nation Takes a Collective Breath"

412/Pittsburgh Magazine "The Nation Takes a Collective Breath"

Evolllution "How the Workforce Skills Gap is Placing Increased Focus on Technical Education"

Evolllution "Leading Higher Education's Emergence Post COVID-19: A Call to Action"

Perspectives "Leading Higher Education's Emergence Post COVID-19: A Call to Action"

Evolllution "Beyond the Rankings: Regional Colleges' Impact on Their Communities"

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Need for Technical Education" (Letter to the Editor)

PTC
PrTTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Dr. Harvey-Smith’s Publications
Since July 2019

Evolllution "The Power of Partnerships: Creating Inclusive Educational Opportunities"

Rowman & Littlefield "Higher Education on the Brink: Reimagining Strategic Enrollment Management in
Colleges and Universities"
ACAD Leader (submitted) "Aligning Strategic Directions to Achieve Institutional Priorities"

HIGHER EDUCATION
ON THE BRINK

PTC
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
A IWIlES STAKCsAW)
 Faculty & Staff Speaking Engagements
Since July 2019

David Hertz IACIS conference 2020 and 2021

Michael Hodder National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Principal Investigator's
Conference in October 2021.

Michael Russell National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Principal Investigator's
Conference in October 2021.

Rick Bryant "Influence of Data-Driven Methods in Predicting US Presidential Elections for a Specific
Age Range Using Social Media" -accepted and presented at the International Association
for Computer Information Systems Conference in 2021.

A \
3
V\ J/ 71 -
PTC
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Dr. Harvey-Smith’s Speaking Engagements
Since July 2019
Invited speaker for Strong Families Commission Symposium, Philadelphia, PA September, 18th and
19th 2019 - The School District of Philadelphia Administrative Building

Invited Speaker: Women in Leadership - Higher Education Cambridge, MA November Sth and 6th
2019- Harvard University Faculty Club

Invited Guest and Presenter by RTM Higher Education Congress CIO Conference (Higher Education's
Emergence Post COVID-19 - Critical Qualities, Strategies and Approaches). (August 2020)

Invited Guest and Presenter by Audrey Russo - Pittsburgh Technology Council - Business as Usual
Guest to reintroduce Pittsburgh Technical College to Southwestern Pennsylvania. (September 2020)

Greater Pittsburgh Higher Education Diversity Consortium GPHEDC Panelist: Leadership in Crisis:
COVID and Racial Unrest (December 2020)

Pittsburgh Area Airport Chamber of Commerce Panelist: It's All About People. What's next?-
Navigating the Storm in the Next Year. (December 2020)
I,; PTC
y-ars “i PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
 Dr. Harvey-Smith’s Speaking Engagements
Since July 2019
Pittsburgh Business Times Panelist: Workforce Development in the ear of COVID (December 2020)

Pittsburgh Technical College Presidential Inaugural Webinar Series Host and Panelist: Reimaging the
Future of Higher Education - Exploring the challenges and opportunities in Higher Education.
(February 2021)

Pittsburgh Business Times - The leading professional women's mentoring event in Pittsburgh:
Mentoring Monday (February 22, 2021).

Greater Pittsburgh Higher Education Diversity Consortium GPHEDC: Served as a panelist with the
theme "Leadership in Crisis: COVID and Racial Unrest." (April 2021)

Keynote Presenter: Slippery Rock University, Virtual Symposium: The importance of Diversity Equity
and Inclusion. (April 2021)

PTC
PITTSBURGH
nCHNICAL COLLEGE
 Dr. Harvey-Smith’s Speaking Engagements
Since July 2019
Panelist AASCU Leadership Program-AALI (American Academic Leadership Institute) - Leadership in
Education. (April 2021)

Co-hosted a Forbes Funds event for Community Solutions. Discussion of future workforce and
programs that can fill crucial workforce roles. (June 2021)

Invited speaker at RTM Higher Education Congress in Washington, DC. On the Brink: Reimaging
Leading and Learning in a Transformed Landscape. (June 2021)

ZogoTech HERDI Invitation Virtual Panel

University Leadership Summit Leading Emergence: Higher Education Post COVID19: Critical dualities,
Strategies and Approaches

African American Chamber of SW PA Power Breakfast Presentation to constituents to introduce PTC

to the group.

7^ pTC PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
A HXSHU SYAXOAXO
 Dr. Harvey-Smith’s Speaking Engagements
Since July 2019

Evolllution Podcast with Editor-in-Chief Amrit Ahluwalia Discussion of recently published book,
Higher Education on the Brink: Reimagining Strategic Enrollment Management in Colleges and
Universities

Asian American Chamber of Commerce Pittsburgh Panel Discussion: Bridging the Gender Race Divide

World Mental Health Action Day Invitation from Citron33 Foundation to lead a discussion with PCHE
Presidents on Mental Health and resources needed to support Pittsburgh and area colleges.

PTC
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Harve^Smith, Alicia

Subject: List of Grants, 2019-Present Secondary Response Attachment 9

Secondary Response Attachment 9

From: Throckmorton, Julie <ThrockmortonJulie(a>ptcolle^e.edu>

Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 8:55:21 AM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <HarveySmith.Alicia(a>ptcollege.edu>
Subject: RE: List of grants, 2019-present

Hello Dr. Harvey-Smith,

I have attached an updated list for you with more recent submissions.

Julie Throckmorton (she, her, hers)

Foundation, Government, and Corporate Relations Officer
Pittsburgh Technical College
1111 McKee Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
www.ptcollege.edu
.https://ptcollege.edu/donate/
[email protected] .

From: HarveySmith, Alicia <HarvevSmith,[email protected]>

Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 6:10 PM
To: Throckmorton, Julie <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: List of grants, 2019-present

Hi Julie

Is the current, i.e. all grants since 2019 totaling 24M+?

Thanks so much.

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Throckmorton, Julie <ThrockmortonJulie(S)ptcollege.edu>

Sent: Friday, May 5, 2023 4:12 PM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>
Cc: Lippiello, Stephen <Lippiello.Stephen(a)ptcollege.edu>
Subject: List of grants, 2019-present

Hello Dr. Harvey-Smith,

Attached is the list of grants that you requested.

1
Sincerely,
Julie

Julie Throckmorton (she, her, hers)

Foundation, Government, and Corporate Relations Officer
Pittsburgh Technical College
1111 McKee Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
412-809-5161
[email protected]
https'.Z/ptcollege.edu/donate/

PTC
PITTSBURGH
TECHNICAL COLLEGE
A HSGHER STANOARD

2
MscMIow 1 s
National Science
Foundation Advanced
Technological Education Cybersecurity Employment Readiness
(ATE) Grant Program (CERP) $ 359,995.00

National Science
Foundation Scholarships
in Science, Engineering, Financial and Programmatic Supports
Technology, and Math (S- to Prepare Undergraduates for Work
STEM) in Technology Fields $ 647,764.00

National Science
Foundation Advanced
Technological Education Integrating Software and Machine
(ATE) Grant Lab Instruction (ISMI) $ 297,712.00

National Science Recruitment and Training for Diverse

Foundation Advanced Populations, Females, and Veterans
Technological Education in Mechanical and Architectural
(ATE) Grant Manufacturing Technologies $ 649,954.00
|TOTAL $ 1,955,425.00
 EB5BS®! naaaii''

Secured 2021 $ 24,789.00

Includes $406,250 for

scholarships. We are
able to include the new
RAET program in this
Secured 2021 grant this year. $ 21,153.00

Secured 2019 $ 19,188.00

Secured 2022 3 year grant $155,772

de minimis rate of 10%;
based on all direct costs
except for Participant
Support and Equipment
costs

de minimis rate of 10%;

based on all direct costs
except for Participant
Support costs
de minimis rate of 10%;
based on all direct costs
except for Participant
Support and Equipment
costs

Cumulative over 3-year

period $ 1,955,425.00
■HB
Expand opportunities for every
student to explore, choose, and
follow CTE programs of study and
PA Department of Education: career pathways to earn credentials
(Perkins iV) 2019-2021 of value $ 545,284.00 Secured

National Science Foundation

Advanced Technological Integrating Software and Machine
Education (ATE) Grant Lab Instruction (ISMI) $ 297,712.00 Secured
Columbia Gas/NiSource
Foundation Women in STEAM $ 1,000.00 Secured
Scholarships for the School of Trades
Scott Electric Foundation Technology $ 10,000.00 Secured

Allegheny County COVID-19 Crisis Funding (CARES Act) $ 362,000.00 Secured

Oakdale Lodge Culinary Grant Culinary General Purpose Fund $ 500.00 Secured
Columbia Gas/NiSource
Foundation Unrestricted $ 5,000.00 Secured
PTC Organization and Student CARES
U.S. Department of Education Project $ 1,648,040.00 Secured

U.S. Department of Education PTC Organizational CARES Project $ 1,648,039.00 Secured

CARES Act: Strenghtening Institutions
U.S. Department of Education Program $ 161,246.00 Secured

PA Department of Education: Expand opportunities for every

Strengthening Career and student to explore, choose, and
Technical Education for the follow CTE programs of study and
21st Century Act (Perkins V) career pathways to earn credentials
2020-2021 of value $ 592,981.00 Secured
Collegiate Basic Needs Food Pantry Expansion/Community
Dialogue 2020 Mini Grant Garden $ 2,000.00 Secured
Columbia Gas/NiSource
Foundation Oil and Gas Program Fund $ 6,500.00 Secured
Governor's Emergency
Education Relief Funds Wellness Center $ 126,746.00 Secured
Remake Learning CsforPgh Grant $ 2,000.00 Secured

National Science Foundation

Advanced Technological Cybersecurity Employment Readiness
Education (ATE) Grant Program (CERP) $ 359,995.00 Secured
National Science Foundation
Scholarships in Science, Financial and Programmatic Supports
Engineering, Technology, and to Prepare Undergraduates for Work
Math (S-STEM) in Technology Fields $ 647,764.00 Secured
CRRSAA: Higher Education
U.S. Department of Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) $ 3,299,029.00 Secured
CRRSAA: Higher Education
U.S. Department of Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) $ 1,648,040.00 Secured
CRRSAA: Higher Education
U.S. Department of Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) $ 206,272.00 Secured
Citrone 33 Foundation Counseling Office $ 150,000.00 Secured
Columbia Gas/NiSource STEM Career Exploration for Grades 5
Foundation 12 $ 10,000.00 Secured
The Forbes Funds Anti-Racism Cohort Participation $ 7,500.00 Secured
Highmark Foundation Wellness Center $ 100,000.00 Secured
Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection Environmental Education Mini-Grant $ 2,156.00 Secured
AIU Summer Programming Grant
Allegheny Intermediate Unit nitiative $ 11,000.00 Secured

PA Department of Education: Expand opportunities for every

Strengthening Career and student to explore, choose, and
Technical Education for the follow CTE programs of study and
21st Century Act (Perkins V) career pathways to earn credentials
2021-2022 of value $ 627,460.00 Secured
American Rescue Plan (ARP): HEERF
U.S. Department of Education III $ 4,140,600.00 Secured
American Rescue Plan (ARP): HEERF
U.S. Department of Education III S 4,326,595.00 Secured
American Rescue Plan (ARP): HEERF
U.S. Department of Education HI $ 365,448.00 Secured
Supplemental Assistance to
Institutions of Higher Education
U.S. Department of Education (SAIHE) $ 900,679.00 Secured
JED Foundation Mental Health Partnership $ 180,000.00 Secured

PA Department of Education: Expand opportunities for every

Strengthening Career and student to explore, choose, and
Technical Education for the follow CTE programs of study and
21st Century Act (Perkins V) career pathways to earn credentials
2021-2022 of value $ 670,278.00 Secured
Redevelopment Authority of
Allegheny County Gaming and
Economic Development Corporate College - Advanced
Tourism Fund (GEDTF) Welding Program $ 250,000.00 Secured
Pittsburgh Foundation John R. McCartan Scholarship Fund $ 200.00 Secured
Emerson Charitable Fund Oil and Gas Program Fund $5,000 Secured
Middle Skills Pipeline Development
and Workforce Activities for Grades 5-
EQT Foundation 12 $5,000 Secured
Payments for the Center for
Kennametal Foundation Manufacturing and Testing $ 15,000.00 Secured

Recruitment and Training for Diverse

Populations, Females, and Veterans
in Mechanical and Architectural
National Science Foundation Manufacturing Technologies $ 649,954.00 Secured
Supplemental Support under
American Rescue Plan (SSARP) HEERF
U.S. Department of Education III Supplemental Support $ 604,548.00 Secured

Pennsylvania Department of
Education Division of Higher
Education, Access and Equity Hunger-Free Campus Grant $19,400.00 Secured

Pennsylvania Department of
Community & Economic Educational Improvement Tax Credit
Development Program $0.00 Secured
Bonnie W. and Thomas Vankirk
The Pittsburgh Foundation Charitable Fund $10,000.00 Secured
Preparing High School Students for
EQT Foundation Robotics Careers $7,500.00 Secured

PA Department of Education: Expand opportunities for every

Strengthening Career and student to explore, choose, and
Technical Education for the follow CTE programs of study and
21st Century Act (Perkins V) career pathways to earn credentials
2021-2022 of value $488,802.00 Secured
Pittsburgh Penguins Social Worker Salary (match to
Foundation Citrone 33 Grant) $27,685.00 Pending
Citrone 33 Foundation Social Worker Salary $33,000.00 Pending
Pennsylvania Department of
Community & Economic
Development Pickleball Courts $247,200.00 Pending
Scott Electric Foundation Parking lot light upgrade $ 91,935.00 Pending
Total Income (including
pending} $ 25,517,088.00
Total Income (excluding
pending) $ 25,117,268.00
 Approved Indirect Cost
Formula Rate 8.00% of
2019 $ 4,986.00 $50,000 and 1%
de minimis rate of 10%;
sased on all direct costs
except for Participant
2019 $ 19,188.00 Support costs

2019 $ N/A

2019 $ N/A

2020

2020 $ N/A

2020 $ N/A

2020 Student Funding

2020 Institutional Funding

2020 SIP Funding

Approved Indirect Cost

Formula Rate 8.00% of
2020 $ 3,515.00 $50,000 and 1%

2020 $ N/A

2020 $ N/A

2020 $ N/A
2020 $ N/A
de minimis rate of 10%;
based on all direct costs
except for Participant
2021 $ 24,789.00 Support costs
 de minimis rate of 10%;
based on all direct costs
except for Participant
2021 $ 21,153.00 Support costs

2021 Institutional Funding

2021 Student Funding

2021 SIP Funding

2021 $75k per year x 3 years $

2021 $ N/A
2021 $ N/A
2021 $ N/A

2021 $ N/A

2021 $ N/A

Approved Indirect Cost

Formula Rate 8.00% of
2021 $ 3,950.00 $50,000 and 1%

2021 Institutional Funding

2021 Student Funding

2021 SIP Funding

2021
2021 $45k per year x 4 years $

Approved Indirect Cost

Formula Rate 8.00% of
2022 $3,950 $50,000 and 1%

2022
2022
 2022

2022
5,000 per year x 3
2019,2020, 2021 years) $ N/A

Cumulative over 3-year

2022 3 year grant $155,772 aeriod

2022

2023 $ F&A not permitted

We first need to be
accepted into the
program before we can
approach businesses for
2023 funding. $

2023 For scholarships $ F&A not permitted

2023 $ F&A not permitted

Approved Indirect Cost

Formula Rate 8.00% of
2023 $ 4,150.00 $50,000 and 1%

2023 $ F&A not permitted

2023 $ F&A not permitted

Greenways, Trails, and

2023 Recreation Program $ F&A not permitted
2023 $ F&A not permitted

Totals include Pending $ 241,453.00

$ 241,453.00
HarveySmith, Alicia

From: HarveySmith, Alicia

Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2021 3:11 PM
To: Lynn McMahon
Subject: Fwd: On The Brink - Revised Proofs (Urgent-Highly Confidential)

John's review.

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Scarpino, John <[email protected]>

Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 20211:20 PM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia
Subject: RE: On The Brink - Revised Proofs (Urgent-Highly Confidential)

Hi Dr. Harvey-Smith,

I love how you are utilizing PTC as part of your research and publication. It's a great step by step into how we are where
we were. What changes have been made and how we can continue to grow. The transformation of "Technology and
Trades" is a great follow-up from these impacts. Let me know if you need anything or additional support for this.

Well done!!

Thank you.
John

John J. Scarpino, D.Sc., MBA

Dean of Technology and Trades
Pittsburgh Technical College
1111 McKee Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
scarpino.iohn(5)ptcollege.edu
412-809-5287 (work)

A National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE)

HarveySmith, Alicia

From: HarveySmith, Alicia

Sent: Sunday, November 21,2021 3:12 PM
To: Clark, Rodney
Subject: Re: On The Brink - Revised Proofs (Urgent-Highly Confidential)

Thank you so much Rodney. 1 will share your assessment with my primary. Thank you for
taking the time to review and kind assessment.

Get Outlook for iOS

From: Clark, Rodney <[email protected]>

Sent: Thursday, November 18, 20217:22:16 PM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: On The Brink - Revised Proofs (Urgent-Highly Confidential)

Dr. Harvey-Smith....

Wow! Wow!! WOW!!!

This is an amazing work, but it is somehow somewhat familiar to me. There are numerous elements of it that have appeared in
our many conversations and various meetings since this past January. Here are some of the broad stroke reactions I had after
reviewing it (in no particular order);

1. The shrinking number of high school graduates are obviously due to low birth rates the last couple/few decades.
2. Fewer international students are coming to the US to study, a trend since 2001.
3. The costs to acquire a college education continue to soar during the same time period. It made me think about "The
Bennett Hypothesis” from tire '80s (college costs rise because there was a belief that financial aid funds would help).
4. Extraordinary debt loads, accumulated while completing a bachelor's degree, have forced people to openly question
the bottom-line value of earning a college degree. The Boston Globe used to do an annual article in May/June
examining the very high student loan amounts students have to pay which hinders their ability to live on their own,
etc.
5. To strengthen C-SEM work, the academic side of the house must be nimble in altering the instructional product (more
academic programs to attract broader audiences; more hybrid and fully online programs; micro-credentials; stackable
credentials). Like a restaurant, we always have to carefully scrutinize "our menu.”
6. Much stronger, consistent involvement from academic advisory boards to give counsel (new academic programs,
refreshing existing programs, sunsetting existing programs, AND allowing for recruitment opportunities at their
respective organizations).
7. Extra emphasis is needed on getting internships for current college students. Couple that with greatly increasing
efforts to improve in-field job placement rates for college graduates.
8. Because of declining numbers of traditional-age college students, non-elite colleges will continue to have difficulty
meeting enrollment targets (because fewer students will have increased educational opportunities they didn’t have
previously where there was more competition for scholarships, etc. at elite colleges)
9. EVERYTHING changed in mid-March 2020, and more changes/adapting will continue as we reconcile the need for
technology-based communication vis-a-vis personal interaction: high-tech and high-touch.
10. There’s uneven access to technology (Wi-Fi) that's necessary for college completion (class meetings, homework, tests,
various course-related projects).
11. "Rotter’s Change Management” theory seems to reveal that there’s not a strong enough sense of urgency at this college
to drive real, lasting improvement

Thanks again for allowing me to participate in this reading. The book is very thoughtful and challenging.

1
HarveySmith, Alicia

From: HarveySmith, Alicia

Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2021 3:18 PM
To: Feather, Nancy
Subject: Re: On The Brink - Revised Proofs (Urgent-Highly Confidential)

Nancy, this is exceptional. Thank you for your detailed review and assessment. Sharing with
my primary today. Big thank you!!!

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From: Feather, Nancy <[email protected]>

Sent: Thursday, November 18, 202111:45:29 AM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: On The Brink - Revised Proofs (Urgent-Highly Confidential)

Dear Dr. Harvey-Smith,

I LOVE the book! It was both an honor and a pleasure to get a sneak peek before publication. My go-to book on
accreditation and accountability has been Linda Suskie's Five Dimensions of Quality because of its practical approach and
easy-to-follow guidelines, and I immediately recognized these same qualities in reading your book. I also learned a lot
and kept seeing connections with our present projects (and it was so rewarding to see the examples/case study using
PTC).

Highlights for me:

• Overall, you clearly paint pictures of the current state of higher ed, offer practical/realistic measures to address
matters, and provide nice, specific examples from a variety of institutions who have successfully implemented
these features so that the reader can see that this isn't just theoretical-it is practical and when applied can
yield positive results.
• You provided a strong introduction (with points then expanded on and hammered home in Chapters 1 and 2)
and epilogue that clearly show the need for the content of your book. It has been the insensitivity of the ivory
towers that has always made me a champion of community colleges who truly serve the populace. This was
wrapped up with the epilogue's discussion on how we need to look at long-term solutions to address the
decades of passivity.
• Chapters 3 and 4 clearly showed the interrelationship of/necessity of coordinating strategic planning and SEM.
• Chapter 4 was one of my favorite chapters because without collaboration/teamwork across departments, buy-
in, and a supportive culture, nothing can move forward. Neither one person, nor a small group alone can make
sustainable, meaningful change. Chapter 4's "chief dreamer" made me smile!
• Chapter 5 is a reminder of why PTI/PTC would not survive relying solely on tuition revenue; although, I would
argue that all of the strategic directions support financial growth - not just SD 1,3,4, and 5. By providing holistic
support, removing institutional barriers, expanding partnerships, and investing in tech improvements, SD 2 will
not only lead to better retention (and the related revenues), but also go towards increased enrollment and
increasing non-enrollment opportunities by highlighting PTC as a desirable entity. And without SD 6 - without
the proper culture and mindset, nothing gets done and that affects financial growth/sustainability as well.
• Chapter 6 is short but has a powerful message. You could make book projects out of transformational change, as
well as closing the loop on institutional assessment.
• Chapters 7 and 8 lay down important foundational concepts, again, in a practical vs. theoretical sense.
• I liked Chapter 9 as the final substantive chapter before the epilogue because the discussion of repositioning
really brings everything full circle/wraps up findings posited in Chapters 1 and 2 as you explain how "No longer is

1
 it acceptable nor practical to manage me syaiem u. n>s..^. .——------------------
students entering and leaving with mounting debt, no degree, and no clear career path" and then provide
concrete information on what must be done to create a sustainable institution that serves the needs of all of its
stakeholders.

Possible typos:
• Ch 1. p. 3: "It urges colleges and universities to be guided by an integrated strategic planning process that
simultaneously engages the college community at heightened levels; in order to recalibrate efforts to yield key
results." No semi-colon needed.

• Ch 8 p. 79 "The vice president of Academic Affairs played an important role in facilitating team discussions." Vice
President would be capitalized as part of this specific title and to keep consistent with "President's Cabinet" in
the same chapter.

Some very minor factual things to consider:

• What were known as regional accreditors (like MSCHE) are now considered global enterprises because of
changes to federal regs in July 2020 - they are no longer bounded by region and are now referred to as
providing institutional accreditation vs. regional accreditation.

• Although John has referred to the Information Technology: National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber
Defense Two-Year Education (CAE-2Y) through the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) as an accreditation, it is a designation (still a great thing! - but not quite the same as
an accreditation). We list it as a designation in the catalog.

Thank you so much for affording me this privilege.

Respectfully,

Nancy

Nancy J. Feather
Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness,
Research, and Accreditation
Pittsburgh Technical College
1111 McKee Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 809-5266
Fax: (412) 809-5320
[email protected]

From: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>

Sent: Wednesday, November 17,20219:12 AM
To: Feather, Nancy <[email protected]>; Scarpino, John <[email protected]>; Clark, Rodney
<[email protected]>; Becker, David <[email protected]>
Cc: Raizin, Christine <[email protected]>
Subject: On The Brink - Revised Proofs (Urgent-Highly Confidential)

Dear Nancy, John, Rodney, Dave

2
As we round the corner with On the Brink, l tnougnr n wuuiu ue 51
proj-ect with only a few select readers for reaction.

I would be honored if the (3) of you would serve in this capacity. Please, let me know if you can review the attached
documents and share your reaction. We are not making major edits
at this time but if anything is unclear or appears in need of change do advise.

I will also be conducting a similar read with my primary. It is a quick turn around for review and we have been asked to
submit by tomorrow. Please advise if you are willing to conduct this added review, only if you have the time. This is a
completely optional request.

If you decide to read, please let me know ASAP and provide you reactions. If unable also let
me know. In either case, please delete these attachments.

You will also receive a special copy of the final book when released.

Thanks,

Dr. Harvey-Smith

3
HarveySmith, Alicia

From: HarveySmith, Alicia

Sent: Monday, November 22, 2021 9:53 AM
To: Becker, David
Cc: Becker, David
Subject: Re: Book Review

Dave this is amazing and extremely helpful. I need your honesty and insight and as always,
you delivered. Thank you. I am sending to my
primary this morning.

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From: Becker, David <[email protected]>

Sent: Monday, November 22,20219:38:15 AM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>
Cc: Becker, David <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Book Review

Dr. Harvey-Smith,
Thanks for sending me Rodney's and Nancy's reviews. However, after I read the remaining chapters, I now
know what I want to say to you. I didn't even read their reviews. I think I realized why you wrote this book
and why you asked me to review it. The answer was explained in the Epilog:

DHS - "However, this book is not for those in leadership positions seeking short-term solutions to deep
foundational issues facing all institutions. Rather, this book is for a new breed of institutional leaders, those
individuals who understand that the challenges faced today (and in the foreseeable future) are as a result of
decades of passive attention to the realities that have brought us to this historic "pivot point" in time."

I read your last book, The Seventh Learning College Principle: A Framework for Transformational Change,
shortly before work started on the strategic plan. I felt the book was about how important culture was to
creating transformational change. Then I was asked to co-chair the strategic direction 6 committee. The SD6
committee's focus was culture.

Now, you asked me to review your new book, Higher Education on the Brink. I feel that this book is about
your plans for the next two years. I think that you wanted me to know where you're going so, I can be
effective helping you. I thank you for giving me this information. I am now better prepared for the change
process that is coming. By the way, I was very involved in the change process at Alcoa. I spent one week
learning their change model in a training seminar.

I think there are basically three parts to your book:

1. The first part is your documentation of what we have done at PTC over the last three years. Mainly,
the strategic planning process and plan. I thought that it was very accurate. I assume you want to give
the readers a framework of what was actually done. This part of the book also includes stories from
Lone Star College, Unity College, Wayne State University, John's Hopkins University' and Franklin
Pierce. All of these stories explain to the reader that there is great work going on all over the country.
i
.2. The second part of the book is about the major systems that must be created or improved on. These
include:

• The Strategic Enrollment System. I am not as familiar with the C-SEM as I should be. I believe that
most of over your meetings with the cabinet and senior staff have to do with the C-SEM. However,
you do say on page TI that:
DHS - "Effective strategic enrollment management planning should inspire a
collegewide focus on the full student experience. A high-performing enrollment
organization cultivates student relationships from the initial point of contact
throughout the student life cycle".

I don't believe the C-SEM has inspired a collegewide focus on the full student experience. In Chapter 4,
"The Village Approach" expanding Ownership for Strategic and SEM planning and Outcomes" you write
about how important it is to get everyone involved in the C-SEM. Since you wrote a whole chapter on
this topic, I think that you also believe that work still has to be done.

• Revenue Diversification. I understand this topic a lot better than C-SEM. I feel like we are well on
the way to creating this revenue diversification and that it will only accelerate over the next few
years.

• Silos. I did a word search, and the word Silo is used eight times in all the chapters. I don't think
that using Silo's this many times is a coincidence. I believe that one of your transformations is to
eliminate silos. I also believe that you don't think it's happening yet. I think one of the reasons
that my interim position in the Information System department and my next interim position in the
trades department is to begin to eliminate silos. I hope this next comment doesn't offend you, but
I have wanted to say it for a while. I believe that the new vice presidents that were hired have
created silos. They are all working amongst themselves and not trying very hard to work across
departments. This may be my fault, but I think that the cooperation between education and
admissions, financial aid and marketing could be improved.

• Marketing. You write:

DHS - "Also important is the implementation of highly effective marketing and

communications strategies. Colleges must build and sustain interest and demand through
awareness and brand identity and should be driven by effective Strategic Enrollment
Management strategies".

Of course, effective marketing plans are extremely important. However, in my opinion, there are
two parts to our marketing strategy. The first part is marketing PTC. I think we're doing a good job
getting our name in the community. The awards we're winning, the presidents advisory board
evet, etc. are re-introducing PTC to the community. The second part of our marketing plan is to
market our individual programs. We're failing miserably in this part. The only strategy I see is to
like us on Facebook, Linkedln, etc. That is not a marketing strategy. Our website is terrible in
marketing our programs. Simple changes take months, or never happen at all. I hope I'm not too
critical in my opinion but, it's how I feel.

2
 • cnange. you wmt; duuui uiangc hivucd. ■ <->« ------------------------------ , —_> „

you included the Dr. Harvey-Smith change model. Something tells me that we're all going to be
immersed in change and change models over the next two years. I look forward to it.

3. The third part of the book is a wish list of improvements that you're throwing out there to create
discussion. I like the list and some of them may become reality over the next five years.

Overall, I think the book is well written and easy to read. Anyone that reads the book and wants to improve
their school will find many good strategies and suggestions.

Also, thanks for the quote you included from me. I say so many things that I never can remember what 1 said.

As I said the very first time we met. I will always be honest with you. I hope this email helps you implement
your strategies over the next two year.

Dave

From: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>

Sent: Sunday, November 21, 20216:45 PM
To: Becker, David <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Book Review

No format. Just interested in tour assessment and thinking. Everyone did it differently. No right or wrong approach. Only
what you think matters.

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From: Becker, David <Becker.David!S)ptcollege.edu>

Sent: Sunday, November 21, 20216:31:02 PM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Book Review

I would like to see theirs. I'm not sure what the format of the review should look like. I haven't done a book report in 40
years.

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From: HarveySmith, Alicia <[email protected]>

Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2021 6:28:42 PM
To: Becker, David <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Book Review

Great observation. I am hoping it will be one of many guides colleges can use when strategically planning change. The
SEM work is coming up through strategic partnerships, and cultural nuances that assist with the acceptance of change.
You will soon be reading about CSEM, change models and the need for the entire organization to be a part of critical
change. I decided to use PTC as a case study. It made sense because we were moving through the transformational
process. Note: I believe Strategic Planning should encompass SEM and the need to look for ways to assure sustainability
and continuity. Thank you so much for reading through this. Let me know if you would also be interested in seeing
Rodney's and Nancy's and John's assessement.

3
From: Becker, David <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2021 6:15:10 PM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <HarvevSmith.Alicia(aptcollege.edu>
Subject: Re: Book Review

I have completed the first 3 chapters. It looks like you're documenting everything that you have done since the first day
you arrived. I'm not sure what the strategic enrollment management system is. I'm assuming that it's the strategy
you're implementing with the admissions, financial aid and marketing teams.

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From: HarveySmith, Alicia <HarvevSmith.Alicia(5>ptcoilege.edu>

Sent: Sunday, November 21, 20213:54:16 PM
To: Becker, David <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Book Review

No worries. How is it going? Do you like it thus far?

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From: Becker, David <Becker.David(5)ptcollege.edu>

Sent: Sunday, November 21, 20213:29:55 PM
To: HarveySmith, Alicia <HarvevSmith.Alicia(a)ptcollege.edu>
Subject: Re: Book Review

I am reading it now. I hope to have it finished tomorrow.

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From: HarveySmith, Alicia <HarveySmith.Alicia(g)ptcollege.edu>

Sent: Sunday, November 21, 20213:22:03 PM
To: Becker, David <[email protected]>
Subject: Book Review

Dear Dave,

Please let me know when you will complete you review of On the Brink.

Take the time you need, I wanted to give my primary an ETA.

Thanks, so much.

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