March 25, 2011
#11-27

Taking steps to actively prepare for and achieve long-range progress and excellence, the Jefferson College Board of Trustees has approved a new five-year Strategic Plan for the institution following a two-year process to gather information and receive feedback.

The effort to create a new plan is a result of the 2009 Higher Learning Commission Assurance Section accreditation recommendation that the college undertake a more strategic approach to planning and budgeting. While the previous process addressed the immediate needs of the college, it lacked the strategic focus necessary to move the institution forward over an extended time.

"The Strategic Plan is a roadmap that outlines the ways in which Jefferson College will better serve the citizens of Jefferson County," said President Dr. Raymond Cummiskey. "I am extremely pleased that the process provided the opportunity for extensive input and feedback from a wide-reaching audience."

A steering sub-committee, chaired by Vice President of Finance and Administration Dr. Richard Turley, was formed from the membership of the college's Program and Facilities Planning Committee and expanded to include additional membership from all college constituent groups.

The strategic plan is based on the central themes to "discover, engage and excel" and includes seven broad-reaching aims:

Student Learning - Jefferson College, as a learning-focused college, will support positive learning outcomes by delivering quality, current, and relevant curriculum to all students and maintaining and developing excellent instructors and academic support.

Student Support - Jefferson College will facilitate quality support services to maximize student learning and success.

Community Collaboration - Jefferson College will collaborate with the community to grow the educational attainment and economic condition of its residents, increase program enrollments, improve financial support, and grow the college's image as an educational leader in the diverse community.

Support for Employees - Jefferson College will provide high quality and efficient services, programs, policies, and support necessary for a diverse faculty and staff to contribute successfully to Jefferson College's mission.

Facilities and Infrastructure - Jefferson College will provide future-focused, safe, energy efficient, and accessible physical and virtual facilities, and use them to maximum efficiency to meet the needs of the students, faculty, staff, and community now and in the future.

Financial Responsibility - Jefferson College will maintain and grow a fiscally responsible financial system that promotes the college mission through stability, flexibility, and transparency.

Assessment - Jefferson College will provide continuous improvement through ongoing assessment of its programs, services, instruction, process, and student outcomes.

To view the Jefferson College Strategic Plan in its entirety, go to the Jefferson College website at www.jeffco.edu and click on the strategic planning link.

Input and feedback was received through discussions, forums, and surveys from a wide variety of individuals and groups including the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, administration, and the community to develop a 5-10 year vision for Jefferson College and establish a new planning process to guide the college's programs and resources into the future. The new process is data driven and aligns the college's strategic plan with the mission, goals of the Board of Trustees, HLC accreditation requirements, and the budgeting process.

The process of developing departmental action plans is ongoing as part of the Institutional Assessment process. Plans have been submitted and are being evaluated by the college's Administrative Team for prioritization and recommendation to the Board of Trustees during the budgeting process.