19
Sep 2014
Greenville Technical College has been named a South Carolina Governor?s Quality Award Bronze Achiever, becoming the only educational institution in South Carolina to ever win at any level. This award, sponsored and administered by the South Carolina Quality Forum, an affiliate of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce, is designed to promote performance excellence. The award process is consistent with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award process, depending upon a trained, volunteer board of examiners and judges who evaluate candidate organizations and recommend award recipients. Organizations submit a written application that includes a business overview and a description of the organization?s quality management system. The application is first reviewed by individual examiners. As a team, these examiners reach a consensus evaluation of the application and may recommend a site visit. During site visits, examiners verify and clarify the information in the application. All award applicants receive a feedback report including strengths and areas for improvement. There are four award levels. A Bronze Achiever award is given for progress worthy of recognition toward implementing Baldrige criteria. A Silver Achiever award indicates significant progress toward the criteria, while a Gold Achiever award indicates outstanding progress. A capstone award ? the South Carolina Governor?s Quality Award ? goes to those organizations that demonstrate excellent performance through their quality management system based on the Baldrige Criteria. Recipients at all levels will be recognized at this year?s Governor?s Quality Award Conference, to be held October 15, 2014 in Columbia, S.C. ?When we began using Baldrige criteria in 2012, we were aiming for service excellence through continuous improvement of our operations. Winning the Bronze Achiever award is an indication of how far we have come in a short time in our efforts to best serve our students and potential students,? said Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College. ?This award will encourage us to continually improve our quality, a process that is transforming our organization.?