Strategic Plan

As the only institution of higher education with a full-time presence in its 10,000-square-mile service area, Wenatchee Valley College is keenly aware of its role in providing access to learning opportunities for the citizens of North Central Washington. The priorities set forth in this plan reaffirm WVC’s commitment to its mission as a comprehensive community college, providing high-quality programs and services in university transfer preparation, workforce training, basic skills education, and lifelong learning.

This plan is the result of a collaborative process led by a Task Group of faculty, classified staff, and administrative staff representatives from both WVC campuses. Following an environmental scan of internal and external factors affecting the college, and an assessment of strengths and strategic opportunities, the Task Group shared a draft set of priorities across the college community. After receiving feedback from faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees, the following priorities are presented as areas where WVC will benefit from focused attention over the next several years.

The order of these statements does not convey ranking or importance; the plan is intended to be taken as a whole. These priorities will be accomplished through the development and implementation of institutional initiatives in an annual cycle of planning, budgeting, action, and assessment of outcomes. By revisiting the strategic plan each year, applying its priorities to ongoing decision-making, and ensuring that results are measured, WVC will document changes and demonstrate results leading to improvement of the college.

Strategic Priorities for 2008-2012

TRANSITIONS

Students, faculty, and staff follow different pathways to successful achievement of educational and professional goals. Wenatchee Valley College will identify and support key transitions.

• Work collaboratively with area high schools to promote awareness of college options and academic preparedness for college coursework
• Provide programs and services that successfully prepare students for employment
• Continue to expand articulation with university partners to support students in a variety of majors and fields
• Create and support pathways to college-level instruction for students entering WVC at pre-college levels
• Identify professional transitions for faculty and staff members and the resources and services that will provide needed support
• Engage in proactive, inclusive planning that positions WVC to be responsive to demographic changes and community needs

COMMUNICATIONS

Wenatchee Valley College’s communications with internal and external audiences will be timely, accurate, and responsive.

• Improve communication to students using multiple tools and modalities that expand access to information
• Expand information resources for high school students, parents, teachers, and counselors that develop awareness of college programs, services and expectations
• Develop two-way communications tools and systems that promote ongoing dialog among college employees and with constituent groups
• Enhance internal communications to promote participation in the discussion of ideas and access to information from decision-making processes

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Wenatchee Valley College’s core focus is student learning. Students will be supported in the learning process with programs, services, and delivery modes that meet their educational needs.

• Increase flexibility in the delivery of programs and services and identify and remove barriers to student access
• Ensure that adequate tools and technology are available to support quality teaching and learning
• Develop recruitment strategies focusing on underserved populations to improve student access and success
• Support student retention through coordinated services that assist students in attaining their higher education goals
• Strengthen and sustain a student-centered perspective throughout the college that stresses excellence and the importance of all areas to student success
• Demonstrate the high quality of educational programs through evidence-based assessment

RESOURCES

Develop the fiscal, capital, technological and human resources needed to achieve strategic priorities and operate the college efficiently and effectively.

• Apply current and emerging technologies to improve access and responsiveness in programs and services throughout the college
• Engage in institutional planning processes that are consistently and deliberately inclusive of the needs of both the Omak and Wenatchee campuses
• Provide outstanding facilities for learning and teaching following the priorities established in the district facilities master plan
• Collaborate with the WVC Foundation on a potential 2009-11 capital campaign to renovate and improve the Music and Art Center as a teaching and learning facility
• Support faculty and staff members with training and professional development activities that expand the college’s ability to accomplish its strategic priorities and keep pace with ongoing changes
• Work toward the development of a multi-year hiring and staffing plan that prioritizes personnel needs in alignment with strategic priorities

Approved by the WVC Board of Trustees, May 21, 2008