Strategic Enrollment Plan

Introduction & Executive Summary

The North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) developed this Strategic Enrollment Plan (SEP) in response to changing enrollment patterns, demographic shifts, and evolving community needs across Orange County and the state. Following years of pandemic-related decline and subsequent recovery, the District recognized the need for a unified, data-informed approach to sustaining enrollment, improving student success, and ensuring long-term institutional stability. The SEP provides a coordinated roadmap to help NOCCCD anticipate population changes, support program innovation that reflects community and regional opportunities, and strengthen student pathways across its three institutions, Cypress College, Fullerton College, and North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE).

Launched in partnership with Ruffalo Noel Levitz in 2024, the planning process engaged close to 100 faculty, managers/administrators, and classified professionals from across the District. Through collaborative working groups and action teams, participants analyzed quantitative data, reviewed districtwide strengths and challenges, and co-designed actionable strategies to drive enrollment growth and student retention. The effort was guided by the Chancellor’s Staff and aligned with NOCCCD’s mission, vision, values, and 2020–2030 Strategic Directions.

The SEP identifies thirteen strategies, eight of which are supported by detailed action plans organized around key impact areas: admissions, recruitment, and marketing; student success and completion; and online growth. Central initiatives include the districtwide implementation of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, the creation of a recruitment culture and data-sharing framework, streamlined application and orientation processes, coordinated scheduling and completion interventions, expansion of dual enrollment, and growth in online and workforce-aligned programs. Together, these strategies create a coordinated roadmap for improving recruitment, persistence, and completion across NOCCCD’s colleges and NOCE.