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SWOT Analysis

The steering committee performed a SWOT analysis in three areas: teaching and learning; student success and community. 

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Committee members:

    1. Jessika Rodriguez (student)
    2. Virginia Rigby
    3. Carla Porter
    4. Vivian Lilly
    5. Lane Johnson
    6. Linda Genco
    7. Brack May
    8. Kathleen Rosen
   9. Bobby Rivers
   10. Kara Hagenbuch

Strengths

Diversity of learning programs and offerings
Great Academic Support Programs

• Student support services excellent
• Mentoring students
• Motivated professional staff

Facilities are well-maintained
Specialty programs
Accredited programs
Internships for students
Clinical partnerships (Community)
Diversity of student body
Library and research programs for students & faculty
High-quality faculty

Weaknesses
Oldest campus/deteriorating infrastructure
Disconnect with centers particularly in regard to teaching and support services
Professional Development for faculty is limited
System communication disconnect with what we hear and how implemented
Quality measurement systems
Lack of incentives for employees
Lack of diversity of faculty
Lack of funding to expand programs
Problems colleting, processing, and using hard data; Not data driven
No uniformity in teaching programs
Best practices need to be shared; Do not use curriculum teams

Opportunities
To hire diverse faculty; Continued growth
To cultivate better communications between colleges
To improve technology
To support instructional needs
To increase planned enrollment
To open new centers and better market our services to community
To promote new growth with focused attention on student needs
To improve teaching and learning infrastructure

Threats
Budget (external funding sources)
Economy and economic influx
Legislative decision-making
Student cheating
Lack of resources for most needy students
Lower skill sets for students entering community college from HS
Too much attention on growing enrollment and not enough on retention
Costs for college
Proprietary schools
Intra-college competition for funds
Too much "top-down"
Debt of students in college
Lack of clarity on "who" we really are

 STUDENT SUCCESS

Committee members:

    1. Bill Drees
    2. Kiwana Francis
    3. Cathy Nistetter
    4. Leslie LaPres
    5. John DeLeon
    6. Marilyn Dement
    7. Cynthia Gonzalez (student)
    8. Terry Bryant

Strengths
Classroom technology and instructors
Presence in high school and community
Flexibility to meet local needs
Provide valuable job skills to job
Matriculation to university
Internal professional development
Flexibility
Summer Bridge
Expanding of Advising
Low tuition - Financial Aid availability
Classroom size, personable attention
Diversity (mixed demography)
We genuinely care for students
High touch
Campus/bond growth
Leadership
Dedicated faculty and staff
Student activities
Out of classroom opportunities

Weaknesses
Internal signage (directional/informational)
Marketing (internal/external)
Cost of books
Technology (support system)
Data (accurate processes)
Opportunities
External marketing; capitalize on System approach or maybe get support
Expansion of programs - YMCA, Kids College on campus
Professional development (business/community)
Locations
Promote student success
Diversity of community

Threats
The 1st generation challenge
System centralization
Outsourcing
Employee morale due to ambiguity
Proprietary schools and big marketing dollars they use

COMMUNITY

Committee members:

    1. Gary Clark
    2. Ruth Huytra
    3. Cher Brock
    4. Erick Romero (student)
    5. Vickie Johnson

Strengths
Relationships with ISDs:

• Shared counselors program
• Bridges programs
• Early College & Dual credit

University partnerships:

• Recognized for quality
• Articulation agreements
• University Center
• Bridges
• OLLU University
• Joint Admissions

College's reputation
Longevity and history in community
Cost Effective relative to other institutions
Location
Variety of programs offered
Diverse demographics reflective of community we serve

Reputation prompts:

• Donations of Equipment
• Advisory Committees
• Direct links to local businesses; industries (workforce programs)

Weaknesses

Cross-division & Cross-system communication

• Affects consistent image projection

Lack of consistent policies system-wide

• Affects fairness/equity
• Standardization needed where it matters

Responsiveness to community i.e. quick job training delivery needed in 60-90 days

Opportunities

Recession

• Job retraining and career enhancement
• Baby boomers return because can't retire

Accelerated programs (college to work)
Job Placement/school-to-workforce transition

• interviewing skills and other soft skills

Diversity programs

Threats

Marketing Strategies, i.e. name recognition
State Funding
Assessed values (tax base potentially dwindling)
Proprietary Schools marketing strategies (big money)