Strategic plan requires research, discussion, reflection, leadership

Colorado Mountain College is looking forward to hiring and installing its next, and ninth, president. At the same time, the college is developing a new strategic plan so that we can continue to meet the needs of our Western Slope communities, as we have successfully done for more than 45 years.

Dr. Charles “Chick” Dassance, interim president for Colorado Mountain College.
Dr. Charles “Chick” Dassance, interim president for Colorado Mountain College.

The external, unbiased evidence for that success is compelling. A report from CNNMoney.com last year rated Colorado Mountain College in the top 20 of nearly 800 community colleges from around the nation – and No. 1 in our state – for successful graduation and transfer rates. A recent U.S. Department of Education study, comparing public colleges that offer four-year degrees, identified CMC as the third most affordable college in the country.

These reports show that we have an outstanding track record of affordably helping students reach their goals.

Bucking national trends of decreasing or flat community college enrollment, CMC’s enrollment has increased. Preliminary reports for this fall show that, for all programs combined, the number of individual CMC students is up 4 percent compared to the same time last year.

The number of students pursuing bachelor’s degrees has increased 21.7 percent compared to last year’s census date, and the number earning associate degrees is up 1 percent. Not only are more students attending, on average they are taking more credits.

Throughout the fall semester we expect these percentages to grow, as students enroll in late-start, noncredit and short-course offerings.

But just as our students strive to improve, we too want to improve. We want to deliver education and training more efficiently and effectively. We want to more efficiently meet our communities’ changing needs for workforce training, adult basic education and continuing education.

This is why the CMC Board of Trustees has been so keen on developing a strategic plan. With guidance from a respected planning group, MIG, the students, staff, faculty, administrators, community members and trustees who’ve been working together on our plan are digesting copious amounts of research, engaging in frank and lively discussions, reflecting on what they learn and, finally, helping to shape the plan that will guide us to deliver even more of what our communities need.

During the research stage, it is imperative that an organization consider all relevant data. Participants in our recent strategic planning symposium considered economic and enrollment forecasts; demographic data; reports from federal and state departments of labor and education; survey and face-to-face input from students, employees, community members and trustees; and internal reports including an information technology strategic plan and a gap analysis.

Sometimes the information is not easy to hear, and I commend all who have participated by having the courage to speak, and listen to all opinions and facts, with openness and honesty. Because all of us associated with CMC have great dreams for our college, and for our students, it will be challenging to glean the key goals on which we must focus our formidable energy.

But after participating in the recent planning symposium, I am encouraged that the college has the desire, energy and ability to take its current strengths to greater heights.