SGTC’s Marketing Management Class Conducts Massive Research Project

About half of South Georgia Technical College’s students are aware of the college’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) program, according to a recent comprehensive study conducted by the college’s own Marketing Management majors, under SGTC instructor Mary Cross.

The study will be used to enhance the program’s marketing plan, but was conducted to give the students a real-world marketing research scenario while having a positive impact on the college’s QEP program.

In order to gather the information, Cross’ class of 12 students created survey questions, designed and administered the survey, compiled all of the information and analyzed the data. The survey process lasted two days – one day to survey the Americus campus and the next to survey the Crisp County Center campus, and was intended to be distributed to all of the college’s students.

Students walked to different classrooms and offices administering the survey to nearly every person on the campuses. Survey questions asked if the participant was a student, faculty or staff member, how many semesters they have been enrolled in the college, which campus they attend classes at and if they live on or off campus. The survey then began to ask about the QEP program: is the participant aware of it, how they were informed of it, if they have noticed signs on campus and if they know what “QEP” actually means.

One group found while reviewing their results that they were nearly split down the middle, with more people falling in the “do not know” category. The group found that 56.78 percent of students surveyed said they don’t know about the college’s QEP program. After analyzing the other data, the group suggested that additional media exposure, such as social media advertisements and more contrasting print media around campus, would help improve awareness.

Together, the class will compile all of their data, compare notes and create a unified marketing plan which the QEP program can use to their advantage.

“It is always great when students can participate in hands-on skills lectured and demonstrated in the classroom,” Cross said.

South Georgia Technical College’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a comprehensive plan adopted to improve student learning, engagement, and success. The college adopted “READ” or “Reaching Every Academic Dream” as its QEP. The READ QEP is being conducted in conjunction with the college’s reaffirmation process by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a regional accrediting body for institutions of higher learning.