The 2010-11 school year at Northwest College promises to be one of adapting to change.With the likelihood of another significant increase in student enrollment next year, the college is facing the need to adapt and do more with less. That applies not only to budgetary constraints, but also to changes in faculty and staff.

During the 2009-10 school year just ended, three of the 82 faculty members at the college announced their retirements, four resigned and one faculty member's contract was not renewed.

Combined, they represent a faculty changeover of 10 percent. But the actual faculty turnover rate was 5 percent, according to Human Resources Director Heather Kobbe, because retirements and involuntary departures are not considered in that figure.

Meanwhile, four of the college's 148 staff members announced their retirements, another 12 resigned and one lost his job involuntarily — a total change of 11.5 percent, or 7 percent turnover.

That trend — at least the retirement part of it — is likely to continue for some time to come.

Kobbe told the Northwest College Board of Trustees in September 2007 that the college was facing an imminent increase in the number of people who retired, as 51 percent of NWC employees then were more than 50 years old.

In fact, she said, the largest age group — 70 employees — was over 55.

NWC President Paul Prestwich said the recent turnover will present challenges, but he's not worried about it.

“We have a bit more turnover than last year, but a lot of that is due to unique circumstances,” he said.

He cited the example of Dana Young, NWC dean of student affairs, who is leaving Northwest College to take the helm as president of Treasure Valley Community College in Oregon.

In an e-mail Tuesday, Young said, “I have accepted the position at TVCC because it is a great career move for me and has been my goal since 2006 when I began my doctoral degree at CSU.

“I love NWC, everyone I work with and the people in the Big Horn Basin. The ongoing tensions at the college did not play a part in my decision to leave.”

The biggest challenge with the recent turnover, Prestwich said, is the amount of time it takes faculty and staff to perform searches for people to fill vacant positions.

“Since we have a large participatory process, it does require a lot of staff hours when folks serve on search committees,” he said.

Kobbe said several search committees currently are in various stages of the search process, and some have completed their work.

Searches continue for a child care assistant position, an adult basic education manager, a campus resource officer, a journalism instructor, a physical plant director and a bookstore position.

Candidates have been identified for an instructor of nursing, a student health services nurse, a printing services specialist and a rodeo coach.

The position of dean of student learning, vacated by the retirement of Virginia Fish, remains open after the finalists withdrew their names.

The remaining positions already have been filled, with a few restructured.

Prestwich said the responsibilities of the dean of student learning will be divided up among several staff members for the coming school year. If a particular employee's work load is increased substantially, there would be an increase in pay.

“It really depends on how we divide it up,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prestwich and constituency groups on campus will consider whether the positions of vice presidents of academic services and of student affairs should be combined into one position. What happens with the dean of student learning position will depend on the outcome of that discussion, he said.

Prestwich acknowledged that, with the turnover, there will be challenges.

“It's certainly a loss when anyone leaves an organization,” he said. “Whether through retirement or resignation, there's always a time of transition. We're losing their talent and institutional history.”

But it also can be a time of opportunity.

“It gives us an opportunity to look for new talent, individuals who will bring new ideas, skills and abilities.”

In her e-mail, Young said, “NWC will work through their differences because it is such a great place. Everyone here is passionate about students and learning.