Episode 69 Dr. Jayda Spillers - ”Shreveport-Bossier: My City, My Community, My Home”

Chancellor Dr. Jayda Spillers sits down with Jeffrey Goodman, Director of Marketing and Development for the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana, to answer the following questions:

 

0:43 1. In December of 2022, after being a high school principal and the parish Career Technical Education supervisor, you became the chancellor of Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (or NLTCC). NLTCC has three locations – one on North Market near 220 in Shreveport, and locations in Minden and Mansfield.

 

At NLTCC, you teach people how to make a living.

 

Let’s start here today. What are some of the “employable” skills a student can currently learn at NLTCC?

 

7:44 2. NLTCC is one of 12 community colleges in Louisiana’s community and technical college system.

 

Many people are more familiar with the term “Vo Tech” than they are “Technical Community College”. Talk to me about the shift away from the term Vocational-Technical or Vo-Tech.

 

10:26 3. You once said:

 

“There is no excuse to walk across our stage without receiving a diploma in one hand and have an employment in the other hand.”

 

I know you are working with local businesses to get your students placed. Can you speak some about that process?

 

15:15 4. Are most of the programs at NLTCC two-year programs? And are they online or in person?

 

22:35 5. NLTCC has students of all ages, including high school students who are participating in dual enrollment, as well as older adults who are interested in furthering their careers or exploring new career opportunities.

 

Talk to me about the age breakdown of your students. And for someone who is contemplating furthering their career or exploring a new career, what’s the best way to learn more about the numerous opportunities at NLTCC?