Strategic Direction 1
Increase Access and Opportunity.
Goal 1.1
Raise Minnesota's participation and achievement in post-secondary education by meeting the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and educational goals.
Action Steps
1.1a Introduce the GPS LifePlan to new students during SOAR (Student Orientation). Publicize the GPS/Life Plan to returning students through other initiatives. (The GPS/Life Plan enables students to build personal, education and career plans using E-Folio.) Develop initiatives to encourage the use of the GPS/Life Plan by returning students through promoting at Student Success Day sessions, including in syllabi and course work, and targeting students in specific cohort groups (e.g., probationary students). Develop evaluation to monitor participation, retention, and GPA. May 2008. Anderson, Bruner, O'Brien. +#
Performance Measurement: A minimum of 30% of new students and 10% of returning students will develop at least one GPS LifePlan in the 2007/08 academic year. Classes that include a GPS LifePlan component will be identified. Student surveys and focus groups will be conducted to identify student perception of the value of the GPS LifePlan and faculty will complete a survey to assess the success of the GPS LifePlan as part of meeting course objectives.
1.1b Explore innovation in reading, writing, and mathematics for first-year students through the Initiative to Promote Excellence in Student Learning (IPESL) project and other campus initiatives to improve access and student success. Assess and revise the program, increase enrollment, and assess student achievement and retention. Develop pilot programs for first-year and developmental students and complete an assessment. June 2008. Bruner, O'Brien. *# ^
Performance Measurement: Pilot programs will be developed by fall 2007. An assessment will be completed by deadline.
1.1c Develop and advance strategies to support at-risk students by improving the College's early warning system including on-line notification. June 2008. Bruner, O'Brien, Rohleder. +
Performance Measurement: Develop an on-line early warning system and increase notification of students by 25%.
1.1d Integrate technology into the delivery of student services and assist students in becoming successful learners. Includes further development of the student portal, Right Now Technology ("Ask Century" interactive online knowledge base), E-folio, additional software for student service scheduling, student training/software, an on-line catalog, and other reference opportunities. December 2007. Bruner, Rohleder. #
Performance Measurement: Milestones in the AQIP E-Students Services Action Project will be met and assessed through audits, student focus groups, and student assessment.
1.1e Make Century College a more welcoming environment for students and employees from diverse backgrounds. Improve inter-cultural competence for faculty and staff. Based on the findings of Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) survey given in Spring of 2007, develop and align strategies to improve in challenge areas identified in survey findings: (a) the need for sustained and extensive interaction with other cultures, (b) the development of a broad worldview that can comprehend and accommodate complex cultural differences. May 2008. O'Brien, Anderson.*
Performance Measure: By spring of 2008 experience a 10% increase in participation in campus activities promoting intercultural awareness as measured in the IDI survey instrument administered in spring of 2007. By spring 2008, participation in the Presidential Fellowship program or a similar initiative increases by 25% over the previous year.
1.1f Improve student success and retention through the use of tutors assigned to particular courses. June 2008. Bruner, O'Brien +
Performance Measurement: Courses are identified and tutors placed. Student success in courses with assigned tutors is evaluated. Place a minimum of 80 tutors per year.
1.1g Implement the initial year of the Adult Options initiative, providing significant new marketing and organizational attention to students over 25, gradually increasing flexible offerings, and supporting infrastructure to meet the needs of this unique demographic. June, 2008. Anderson, Bruner, O'Brien +^
Performance Measurement: The number of students over 25 will increase by 2 percent by fall semester 2008. Support services available to these students will be added or extended by a minimum of 10 percent by December 2008. A benchmark survey for measuring adult learner satisfaction with services will be established.
1.1h Enhance the Entry Assessment Test process by developing an online interpretation of scores that all students must view following test completion. The interpretation would be followed by the SOAR (Student Orientation) reservation system. May 2008. Bruner. +
Performance Measurement: Three work stations will be upgraded by July 1, 2007. Students will be surveyed to assess use of this tool. Use of the website and attendance in SOAR (Student Orientation) will be measured.
1.1i Implement a comprehensive common book initiative involving the campus community in activities related to a common novel, including activities in and outside the classroom for faculty, students, and staff--culminating in a keynote presentation by the author in the spring. May 2008. O'Brien. +
Performance Measurement: Confirmed participation of over 2000 students (unduplicated) in activities related to the common book.
Goal 1.2
Maintain an affordable cost of attendance for Minnesota residents.
Action Steps
1.2a Implement and sustain Century's version of Power of You, a program to provide the first two years of college tuition free for students from Arlington, Johnson, and White Bear Lake High Schools. Assess feasibility through the development and implementation of a fundraising strategy to increase scholarships resulting in a minimum new enrollment of 50 students per each semester. Explore expansion to Como, Harding, and North St. Paul High Schools. In addition, increase funding for programming for at-risk students, and provide additional opportunities for low-income and under-served students. August 2007 .Bruner, Litecky *
Performance Measurement: Enrollment goals are met and Century's fully functional Power of You program funded through private and corporate foundations.
1.2b Develop a budgetary process to assess current programs and operations for efficiency and efficacy. Discontinue or revise ineffective programming, expand successful programming, and allocate funding for new initiatives. December 2007. Anderson, O'Brien, McKee, Bruner, Litecky.+
Performance Measurement: Budgetary process will be implemented college wide, and funding will be identified for new initiatives. Effectiveness and efficiency will be defined for both expansions and new initiatives and used for assessment.
Goal 1.3
Work with other organizations to prepare all young people to graduate from high school and enroll in college ready for success.
Action Steps
1.3a Increase PK-16 partnerships to better prepare students for college through early assessment in the high schools. Offer programs such as TRIO, PACE (Preparing to Achieve a College Education), career programs, Power of You (tuition-free and financial aid planning programs for low-income students), GPS/Life Plan, and service learning. Enhance additional partnerships by working with superintendents, principals, and counselors. August 2007. Bruner, Litecky, O'Brien * #
Performance Measurement: Continue to expand programming for under-prepared, under-served, and low-income students. Increase enrollment and retention by 1% each year.
1.3b Through the new partnership arrangements required by Perkins IV, restructure the link between the senior year in high school at feeder schools, including members of Northeast Metro Intermediate District 916, and the first year at Century College. Better prepare the high school students through early assessment. December 2008. Bruner, OBrien. * ^
Performance Measurement: Charters and action steps will be developed and increases in high school to college transition rates of 3–5 percent over historic rates will be documented. Perkins' retention goals will be met.
Strategic Direction 2
Promote and measure high-quality learning programs and services.
Goal 2.1
Demonstrate high quality in all educational programs.
Action Steps
2.1a In partnership with area high schools, identify activities that will enhance success in STEM (Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering) courses leading to higher rates of transfer into college, Develop a STEM initiative that addresses recruitment, engagement, retention and transfer. August 2008. Bruner, O'Brien, Litecky. +
Performance Measurement: Identify current success rates for high school and current Century College students to establish benchmarks. Identify activities to enhance student success. Measure retention and student success in STEM majors. A STEM Institute advisory board develops a project charter and budget By December 2007.
2.1b Improve student engagement and achievement in student services and academic programs by identifying challenge areas in the CCSSE (Community College Survey of Student Engagement) survey, recommending and implementing new initiatives, and evaluating success. Implement spring 2007 survey and study results. January 2008. Bruner, O'Brien. +
Performance Measurement: CCSSE scores will improve compared to the national norms and CCSSE spring 2005 scores. Based on the results of the 2007 survey, activities will be developed for fall 2007 and implemented by deadline.
2.1c Ensure the on-going integrity of the curriculum through a review of the MnTC curriculum by January 2008 and non-MnTC curriculum by January 2009. January 2009. O'Brien. *
Performance Measurement: Complete the two-step reviews.
2.1d Maintain the revitalized new program development process through sustaining and improving the Innovation Council and its efforts to ensure cross-divisional collaboration and strategic program innovation. Continue expanded cooperation with internal and external partners, including Continuing Education/Customized Training (CE/CT), foundations, corporations, government, and other system campuses. May 2008. O'Brien, McKee. *
Performance Measurement: Several new programs successfully move from conception to AASC approval, such as the AFA in music, interpreter, environmental studies, green construction, solar installer, health informatics, environmental horticulture, and others.
Goal 2.2
Produce graduates who have strong, adaptable, and flexible skills.
Action Steps
2.2a Develop a technology assessment for students and additional courses or seminars to ensure that students are prepared for the use of technology in college courses, such as the portal, e-student services, and on-line instruction. Include assessment and evaluation in technology literacy plan. June 2008. Anderson, Bruner, O'Brien. +#
Performance Measurement: New courses and new seminars will be developed. A technology rubric assessment tool will be created to test students entering courses.
2.2b Expand the use of the Fabrication Lab across the curriculum in both technical and liberal arts programs. Identify opportunities for the Fabrication Lab to enhance STEM curriculum to recruit and retain students. May 2008. O'Brien. +
Performance Measurement: Identify a minimum of six courses that integrate the Fabrication Lab into course objectives. Measure success through student and faculty assessment.
Goal 2.3
Provide multiple delivery options for education programs and student services.
Action Steps
2.3a Incrementally increase the use of the Century on-line writing center. June 2008. O'Brien. *
Performance Measurement: Increase use by 10%.
2.3b Enhance students “sense of academic accomplishment” through presenting scholarship at an all-college academic conference. Provide a significant new venue for student-faculty interaction outside of class and for student engagement/empowerment. May 2008. O'Brien. +
Performance Measurement: Conference offered with a minimum of 30 sessions and 600 students participating.
2.3c Develop strategies to increase the success of students enrolled in online and blended online and campus-based courses and programs. June 2008. O'Brien. +
Performance Measurement: Student success rates will increase by 1% and withdrawal rates will decrease 1% for both online course sections and blended online and campus-based course sections.
Strategic Direction 3: Provide programs and services integral to state and regional economic needs.
Goal 3.1
As a major partner in educating Minnesota's workforce, participate in identifying and meeting regional and statewide economic development priorities.
Action Steps
3.1a Implement statewide training project for the Minnesota Child Welfare Training System and Title IV-E Foster Care/Adoption Assistance Eligibility Determination Training System under a large grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. June 2008. McKee. + ^
Performance Measurement: Project staff will be in place by September 2007. MnSCU Center and sites will be in place by September 2007. By June 2008, 200 training days and 20 hours of online training will be developed.
3.1b Develop a business plan/partnership with FedEx. Secure a site for the transportation center and complete improvements. Program is certified by the Professional Truck Drivers Institute (PTDI), and external resources for students are identified. June 2008. McKee. *
Performance Measurement: Program will be completed and certified by June 2008. Program will be a CE/CT profit center.
3.1c Expand technology partnerships through the new Kopp Technology and Science Learning Resource Center through the development of a plan which identifies potential partners and a strategy for implementation. May 2008. Litecky, O'Brien. *
Performance Measurement: Quality technology related partnerships will increase by 10% .
Goal 3.2
Support regional vitality by contributing artistic, cultural, and civic assets that attract employees and other residents seeking a high quality of life.
Action Steps
3.2a Expand intellectual, cultural and artistic program offerings and more visibly promote Century's services to the community with an updated brochure that includes available Century speakers. Include event information in credit and non-credit course schedules, the newsletter to the community and on the web-site. December 2007. Litecky, McKee, Livingston. *
Performance Measurement: Attendance of community activities will be assessed in year one and year two will reflect increases by a minimum of 10 percent.
Goal 3.3
Develop each institution's capacity to be engaged in and add value to its region.
Action Steps
3.3a Expand service learning by placing students in regional organizations including businesses, schools, and non-profit, governmental, and social service agencies. Identify additional resources. May 2008. O'Brien. *
Performance Measurement: Service learning expands to over 2000 students per year.
3.3b Complete an external environmental scan, integrating demographic, workforce economic impact data. Identify key issues emerging from the plan that will be addressed in the strategic planning process. May 2008. Litecky, Anderson, Matson. +
Performance Measurement: The environmental scan will be completed and serve as a resource in the 2008/10 strategic planning process.
3.3c Build College capacity to develop and deliver “e-learning” curriculum on a contractual basis creating a revenue producing market niche for Century College. June 2008. McKee. +
Performance Measurement: By December 2007, CE/CT will develop technical expertise. In addition, marketing materials for e-learning services developed and distributed to potential clients. By June 2008, E-Learning Services will be profitable.
Strategic Direction 4
Innovate to meet current and future educational needs efficiently.
Goal 4.1
Build organizational capacity for change to meet future challenges.
Action Steps
4.1a Produce a comprehensive and integrated Vision 2012 plan for Century College (master academic plan, enrollment management plan, marketing plan, master operational facilities plan, technology plan, financial and institutional effectiveness plan). February 2008. Litecky, Anderson, O'Brien, Bruner, McKee, Livingston, Rohleder. *
Performance Measurement: All plans will be completed, integrated, and used to develop the College Action Plan.
4.1b Review and update the College's mission, vision and value statements to reflect the current state of the institution and set its future direction. January 2009. Litecky, Anderson, Matson. +
Performance Measurement: The mission, vision and value statements are approved and integrated into College information.
4.1c Seek funding from the National Science Foundation, major corporations (e.g. 3M) and individuals for technology opportunities, workforce development, the new Science/Library Building and student retention (e.g. IT infrastructure, STEM the Fabrication Lab and other selected initiatives.) May 2008. Litecky, O'Brien, Matson, Rohleder. *
Performance Measurement: Identify and submit grants. Meet established goals for fundraising.
4.1d Increase efficiency and ensure proper financial controls through the review and optimization of all business office processes. July 2008. Anderson. +
Performance Measurement: All key processes will be mapped and optimized by January 2008. Sub-processes will be mapped by deadline.
4.1e Restructure and identify resources to sustain an institutional research unit to meet the information requirements for planning, institutional effectiveness, and informed decision-making. This initiative will include the development of a data warehouse and the piloting of a card-swipe system for tracking student use of services. December 2008. Anderson, Bruner, Litecky, Matson, O'Brien, Rohleder. + ^
Performance Measurement: By December 2007, a plan will be proposed. Pilots will be explored and fully implemented by fall 2008.
4.1f Reengineer the College's technology infrastructure. Elements include conversion to a Microsoft platform, implementation of a SAN (storage area network), architecture of a secure, flexible network structure and implementation of virtual and blade servers. December 2007. Rohleder, Anderson. +
Performance Measurement: All projects are completed by deadline meeting training and testing requirements.
4.1g Implementation of the Assessment Plan will continue to include full implementation of an on-line student survey tool, an analysis of program/department health indicators and ways to use data effectively, projects for revision and further implementation by 1/3 of all college programs/divisions, and data collection and analysis of general education assessment with a report to the college community. May 2008. O'Brien, Matson. +
Performance Measurement: The on-line student survey tool, the program/department health indicators and general education assessment projects are completed by deadline.
4.1h Update the College's emergency response capabilities through the installation of a public address system on the west campus, and the development and implementation of an annual emergency response training and drill program. September 2007. Anderson, Rohleder, Bruner. +
Performance Measurement: New system is installed by deadline and training program implemented.
4.1i Convert all existing Access databases that utilize data from ISRS into the new Research and Reporting Environment (RARE) environment per MnSCU guidelines. June 2008. Rohleder, Anderson. +
Performance Measurement: Database owners and access levels are discovered. Databases are converted to use new connections to MnSCU data environment. Conversion completed by MnSCU-mandated deadlines. Employee access to timely information is improved; security of data systems enhanced by 50% (assessed through employee survey and security compliance audit at end of conversion).
Goal 4.2
Reward and support institutions, administrators, faculty, and staff for innovations that advance excellence and efficiency.
Action Steps
4.2a Strategically deploy faculty awards for excellence with matching college resources when appropriate to advance excellence in teaching and learning across the campus with learning-focused outcomes and evaluation. May 2008. O'Brien. *
Performance Measurement: Awards for Excellence sustain at least four significant campus-wide innovative initiatives and seed the development of at least half a dozen innovative pilot initiatives directly linked to student learning.
4.2b Sustain the innovative processes found in Teaching Circles. Explore opportunities to replicate Teaching Circle innovation to other areas. May 2008. O'Brien. *
Performance Measurement: Make recommendations for replication to Academic Vice President by January 2008. Involve at least a 5% increase of new participants (including current and recently hired faculty) in Teaching Circles.
4.2c Promote wellness among Century employees, students and alumni. Expand Fitness Center hours and explore way to extend privileges to employees and alumni. Identify a committee to promote wellness through the development of college wellness activities and the provision of wellness information. August 2008. Anderson, O'Brien, Bruner. +
Performance measurement: Expansion of Fitness Center hours, development of an advisory committee, information and at least two major wellness activities. Development of a wellness proposal and budget submitted by February 2008 to the Executive Cabinet for full implementation.
Goal 4.3
Identify and remove barriers to innovation and responsiveness.
4.3a Continue unit-based meetings for classified staff to improve communication and to identify and solve issues that impede organizational efficiency and/or innovation. Add focus groups based on categories of individuals (e.g. units, classified employment groups) and/or issues. Assess meeting process and recommend on-going procedures to improve institution-wide communication. September 2007. Litecky. *
Performance Measurement: Unit-based meetings will be completed by fall 2007. A report will be completed that includes recommendations and implementation status.
4.3b Continue to support continuous improvement through offering employee development programs and best practice funding to improve skills and observe and model innovative practice. Employees are required to report on the application of training and observation of best practice to improved practice within the institution. May 2008. Litecky, Matson. *
Performance Measurement: Employee development and best practice participation is tracked and compared to prior year usage.
Goal 4.4
Hire and develop leaders who will initiate and support innovation throughout the system.
Action Steps
4.4a Develop a talent management program to increase productivity by improving processes for developing, retaining and utilizing people with required skills and aptitude to meet current and future needs. Develop career paths for positions within the college through individual development plans. May 2008. Anderson. +
Performance Measurement: Program proposal is developed and approved through the Executive Committee.
4.4b Development of a comprehensive Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and integration of this plan into the College's existing Emergency Preparedness Plan. COOP will be aligned with new MnSCU System standards and the College's Pandemic Plan. May 2008. Anderson, Rohleder. +
Performance Measurement: Plan is fully developed and operational.
Goal 4.5
Promote accountability for results through a system of accessible reports to the public and other stakeholders.
Action Steps
4.5a Develop an accessible knowledge management system through use of the Century Commons, web site, Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) Systems Portfolio, and printed materials to promote accountability through communication to the public and other stakeholders (e.g.student, employees, alumni). May 2008. Litecky, Anderson, Matson, Rohleder. +
Performance Measurement: The College meets or exceeds institutional standards for providing information to the public and other stakeholders (e.g. MnSCU, IPEDS, HLC/NCA).
Codes
- + New in plan for first time or first time action will be taken.
- * Item in 2006/08 previous work plan initially - continues to be strengthened.
- # AQIP Item.
- ^ The Vital Few Items (Action Plan items of the highest priority).