How GTCC Creates a Family-First Campus Culture

As Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) celebrates its Family Forward NC® Employer Certification, the institution is strengthening its commitment to creating a supportive environment for faculty and staff.

Dr. Anthony (Tony) J. Clarke, Ph.D., president of GTCC, learned about the certification in 2023 through the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.  After several months of consideration, he decided to move forward with the process.

His motivation was twofold:

• He wanted to support the Chamber’s efforts to enhance Greensboro’s reputation as a destination for talent. “We want Greensboro to be a place where people start and continue their careers,” Dr. Clarke says. “By getting certified, we knew we could contribute to the economic development initiatives aimed at strengthening Greensboro’s workforce.”
• He saw value in taking inventory of GTCC’s existing family-friendly practices. “I knew we were doing a lot of different things, but this certification process allowed us to evaluate our benefits and identify both strengths and potential opportunities for improvement,” Dr. Clarke says.

How healthcare benefits make a big difference

GTCC provides substantial healthcare coverage, contributing $674.62 per month for each full-time employee’s medical insurance. Employees pay as little as $25 or $50 monthly for their coverage, depending on the plan selected and completion of a non-smoking attestation.

“This type of plan would be almost impossible to find outside of state government,” says Dr. Cheryl Bryant-Shanks, associate vice president of human resources at GTCC. “Some of our more experienced employees recognize the value of that. Some of our employees who haven’t worked in many places don’t realize that it is not unusual to pay a few hundred dollars a month for your healthcare.”

In addition, GTCC’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides extensive support that extends to employees’ family members and continues up to 90 days post-employment. Services address a wide range of needs, from mental health concerns like depression and anxiety to practical matters such as childcare referrals, financial wellness, and credit counseling.

Parental leave that supports family bonding

GTCC’s parental leave policy provides eight weeks of paid leave after a parent gives birth to a child and four weeks of paid leave when the qualifying event occurs, which means an employee becomes a parent to a child (through adoption, foster care, and other legal placement).  Employees may use additional accrued paid or unpaid leave beyond these periods with approval, potentially extending their time away to 12 weeks or more while maintaining job security.

“As a college that supports the development of students, we certainly understand the importance of family bonding,” Dr. Bryant-Shanks says. “Also, for nursing moms, we provide spaces across our campuses that are comfortable, private, and have refrigerators for storage.”

Navigating academic flexibility challenges

One of the challenges for educational institutions is balancing workplace flexibility with the demands of face-to-face instruction and student services.

“In academics, everyone is working for the same goal, but the job descriptions and hours for faculty and staff are different,” Dr. Clarke says.

GTCC has implemented creative solutions, including summer hours that allow employees to leave earlier on Fridays during summer months, and a flex-time program for exempt employees. The institution also offers a personal observance day, allowing employees to select a day of personal significance — religious, cultural or otherwise — for paid time off.

What’s next? 

As GTCC refines its approach to supporting employees, Dr. Clarke sees the Family Forward NC® certification as an internal assessment tool and an external recruitment advantage.

GTCC is also looking at ways to measure the impact of their family-friendly policies, potentially modifying their annual employee survey to “get a little more granular into people’s perception of the benefits and how to use them,” Dr. Clarke says.

By placing people at the center of its mission, GTCC continues to create a workplace where employees can bring their best selves to work — ultimately benefiting both staff and the students they serve.

“We help people move forward,” Dr. Clarke says. “And as we say, we make amazing happen.”

Sample Benefits:

• Medical: Medical insurance is subsidized for employee-only coverage, with employees contributing $25 or $50 per month, depending on the plan option selected and completion of the non-tobacco attestation.
• Dental: 100% college-paid employee-only dental coverage for eligible employees.
• Disability Leave: Short-term and/or long-term disability coverage for eligible employees.
• Employee Support: Mental Health/Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Family Leave: Paid parental leave is up to 8 weeks; employees may use additional accrued paid or unpaid leave (12+) with approval.
• Health and Wellness: Activities throughout the year (relaxation, healthy eating, yoga, walking club/challenges, financial planning and access to extensive educational resources).
• Other Leaves: Paid sick, annual, personal leave (for faculty), personal observance leave, and voluntary shared leave (for eligible employees).
• Regular part-time employees earn leave on a pro-rated basis.
• Supplemental Retirement: 401(k), 403(b) and NC 457 plans available for all employees.