Endorsed in Concept by Yavapai College District Governing Board

January 13, 1998

PREAMBLE

The following Strategic Plan recognizes that new and innovative programs and services will be offered in the context of a strong, continuing commitment to the maintenance of existing high quality transfer, occupational, developmental and community education programs.

The mission of Yavapai College is to provide high quality, convenient and cost-effective learning opportunities for the diverse populations of Yavapai County.

Programs at Yavapai College have a number of themes, including:

• Flexible, individualized learning
• Competency-based learning
• Continuous learning
• Seamless transitions
• Accountability
• Problem solving and applied learning
• Social responsibility and leadership

1. Qualities of an Educated Person, SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) competencies, Yavapai College’s Core Indicators of Effectiveness and the Yavapai College General Education Statement will serve as guide for curriculum and program planning.

2. Student centered learning will serve as the primary focus for all decisions.

3. Social responsibility will be balanced with sound business practices and an ethic of stewardship.

4. Resources and facilities for the expanding of programs will be secured from a wide array of public and private sources.

5. Employee training and development opportunities will be provided to improve job performance and to enhance employability as community and organizational needs change.

5-YEAR STRATEGIC GOALS

1. Continue to provide programs and services to increase flexible and/or accessible learning options.

1.1 Implement high-tech user-friendly information and service systems (e.g., the Internet, use of "smart cards," phone registration, automatic checkout of library books, and mail out of transcripts.

1.2 Rigorously assess and credential college-level learning regardless of its source (work, independent study, military training, etc.)

1.3 Provide assessment services and assist students in accessing higher education options not available through Yavapai College.

1.4 Provide a wide array of learning options tailored to individual student needs, including self-paced learning which requires minimal travel to campus.

1.5 Assist students in designing individualized courses of study leading to personal goal attainment, certificates, or degrees.

2. Document student learning outcomes.

2.1 Certificate and degree graduates of Yavapai College will have a portfolio of demonstrated skills suitable for seeking employment or for admission to advanced college-level instruction.

2.2 Graduates will demonstrate the achievement of learning outcomes as well as characteristics exemplified by Yavapai College General Education Values Statement.

2.3 Learning will emphasize acquisition of knowledge and its application to work, community, and personal life.

3. Demonstrate sound public accountability and stewardship.

1. Complete a review and redesign of all management systems to create student-centered and user-friendly systems.

3.2 Periodically review facilities and services to assess feasibility of privatization.

3.3 Establish measurable core indicators of effectiveness and publish an annual report to the community.

4. Create and implement an affiliated but separate institute to provide fee-based consultation and special services.
5. Pursue a fiscal vision of sustainable growth with diversification of revenue.

3.6 Implement profit centers where feasible.

3.7 Review all programs and services on a regular cycle.

8. Balance critical community needs with cost/benefit factors when reviewing programs and service areas.
9. Maintain affordable tuition for county residents and assess market-based tuition for non-residents and special programs.

3.10 Base compensation on job performance.

4. Service target populations whose needs are inadequately addressed.

4.1 Provide qualified high school students with access to core transfer, language, and occupation courses.

4.2 Aggressively promote the programs and resources to students in grades 7-12 so they may begin college level study when they have demonstrated the ability to benefit.

4.3 Through aggressive outreach, inform students in grades 10-12 and their families of financial aid options.

4.4 Become a full partner with other agencies in welfare reform by providing short-term training in job search, retention and technical skills.

4.5 Reach out to increasingly diverse and often multilingual populations to ensure access to and successful completion of post secondary training and education.

6. Provide recent high school dropouts with pathways to success in college.
7. Develop relevant curriculum to address the educational needs of a retired population interested in second (or third) careers.
8. Assist in developing additional financial aid resources and options for students.
9. Assess the unique needs of economically-stressed families and those holding multiple jobs. Design easily accessible and relevant programs for upward economic mobility.
10. Enhance learning opportunities which meet the needs, interests and aspirations of senior adults.
11. Explore opportunities to partner with other agencies to provide child care.
12. Expand access to cultural opportunities throughout the county.

5. Provide learning opportunities to meet emerging occupational and community needs.

5.1 Provide occupational or career programs leading to wages at or above the average for Yavapai County residents.

5.2 Partner with other higher-education institutions, Arizona Learning Systems, and Western Governors’ University to expand the range of opportunities for Yavapai County residents.

5.3 Implement programs to develop rural leadership and community-service skills.

5.4 Provide short-term intensive industry-related training.

5.5 Partner to provide a not-for-profit business management baccalaureate.

5.6 Provide/broker the AA degree through open and distance learning options.

5.7 Partner with Northern Arizona University to provide competency-based baccalaureates in Early Childhood, Environmental Science, and other areas which have been identified as Yavapai County education needs.

5.8 Expand entrepreneurship education, including training to start and maintain a home-based business.

9. Partner/offer career programs leading to a baccalaureate in applied or technical studies.
10. Integrate entrepreneurship competencies into degree and certificate programs.
11. Provide opportunities which encourages residents to participate in building stronger communities.

6. Learning environment will be improved based on cost-effective and other considerations.

6.1 Implement a facilities renewal plan which meets current regulatory codes, including ADA upgrades.

6.2 Tailor learning spaces to encourage optimal learning and efficiency, and to accommodate ergonomic needs.

6.3 Develop low-cost, high quality outdoor teaching spaces on each of the campuses.

6.4 Upgrade residence halls (air conditioning, etc.) to accommodate year-round use.

6.6 Develop partnerships to offer more diverse skill-related learning, taking advantage of apprenticeships, on-site business offerings, and high-tech facilities in the community.

6.7 Enhance a comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure to support expanded distance learning and the commitment to trained personnel, using commercial resources wherever possible.