February Strategic Planning Update

Development of a new Strategic Plan for the North Orange County Community College District continued in group meetings, campus focus groups, and community surveying in February.

During a February 13 meeting, members of the District Planning Council (DPC) identified and categorized highlights among existing data on funding, facilities, enrollment, learning and growth, retention and success, county and state demographics, and workforce needs.  DPC members also continued interviews with members from their constituent groups to meet a March 3 deadline for this information.  Each DPC member volunteered to conduct five interviews with constituents they selected. 

At a second workshop before its regular meeting on February 14, the Board of Trustees identified key concepts for vision, mission, and values statements to guide the Strategic Plan.  Board members also were given some additional “homework” for future discussion, asking them to consider which areas they think are priorities that should be included in the Strategic Plan.

Around these meetings on February 13 and 14, focus groups were conducted at the Cypress and Fullerton College campuses to gather perceptions from students and employees.  At the same time, input also was collected via a survey posted on the Strategic Planning section of the District’s public website.  This survey also had a March 3 completion date.

On March 15, the DPC will participate in an all-day meeting with the following agenda:

• Review vision, mission, and values

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data

• Identify barriers for the focus areas and identify their root causes

• Draft goals and strategies

• Identify next steps

This major emphasis on the Strategic Plan will be followed by the District’s annual Strategic Conversation, which this year on March 28, also will focus on the Strategic Plan.  More information on the Strategic Conversation will be posted on the District website during March.