Strategic Planning Focus Groups

Community RepresentativesFebruary 4 and 5, 2010

Region XVI Service Center

Snapshot of Amarillo College

Enrollment (Unduplicated Headcount)

FALL 2009 Enrollment (CREDIT):11,100

FALL 2009 Enrollment (CE):10,324

Snapshot of Amarillo College

PT68%

FT32%

Amarillo College 2009FAFull Time / Part Time

Snapshot of Amarillo College

24-63%

25+37%

Amarillo College 2009FAAge: 24-Under vs. 25-Up

Snapshot of Amarillo College

WH64%AI

1%

BL5%

AS2%

OT2% HI

26%

Amarillo College 2009FAEthnicity

Snapshot of Amarillo College

M40%F

60%

Amarillo College 2009FAGender (Male-Female)

Snapshot of Amarillo College

Trans59%

Tech41%

Amarillo College 2009FATransfer & Technical Majors

Snapshot of Amarillo College

No81%

DC19%

Amarillo College 2009FADual Credit Students

Snapshot of Amarillo College

No62%

Online38%

Amarillo College 2009FAAt Least One Online

What should be AC’s priorities

during the next 5 years?

Strategic Planning Steps to Date

Emailed Surveys to:– Community Representatives (only 13

replied - focus groups added to survey)

– Current Credit Students (173 replied)– Current Continuing Education (CE)

Students – (60 replied)– Employees (141 replied)– Board of Regents

Summary from Strategic Planning Surveys

Students value:• AC’s affordability & low-costs• Convenience

Employees, Board & Comm. Reps. value:• Quality• Opportunity for all• AC’s affordability & low-costs

Summary from Strategic Planning Surveys

Students DESIRE that AC:• Remain people-focused• Maintain small student-to-faculty class size• Offer more online courses• More and improved technology

– Provide more computers, more labs, more access– Improve classroom technology– Provide larger email accounts– Provide wireless access

• Keep up-to-date programs & courses• Add programs:

– Credit – CIS within Biotechnology & Nanotechnology; Solar – CE – Cooking classes; Nuclear Medicine & Phys. Asst.

professional development courses

Summary from Strategic Planning Surveys

Employees, Board of Regents & Community Reps, DESIRE that AC:

• Expand – locations & programs• Keep tuition and fees affordable & remain

financially strong• Increased technology including online

courses; wireless & WiFi access; classroom technology

• Add & update equipment and buildings for degree programs

• Increase parking or provide transportation

Summary from Strategic Planning Surveys

Employees, Board of Regents & Community Reps, DESIRE that AC:

• Increase access for student services especially advising

• Expand diversity• Add sports• Continue to make AC accessible to all• Become more focused on training for workforce/jobs • Accelerate those programs that are already

successful• Provide seamless transition from high school to

college• Raise more money through donations

7 Questions for the Focus Group Session:

1.Which perceptions come to your mind when you think of Amarillo College?

2.If AC did not exist, how would your company or organization be different?  

3. What is AC doing well? 

 

4. How can AC improve?   

7 Questions for the Focus Group Session:

5. If AC had unlimited resources, what would you recommend AC do within the next five years?

6. Given the economic downturn and budget constraints, how can AC remain financially strong while meeting the needs of our community?  

7. What have we left out?

Focus Group AssignmentsThursday

Rooms & Facilitators for Focus Groups:

Red Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room - right sideFacilitator: LuLu CowanNotetaker/Assistant: Bob Austin

Blue Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room - left sideFacilitator: Ellen GreenNotetaker/Assistant: Jerry Moller

Purple Name Tag Focus Group –move to Mezzanine – outside room

Facilitator: Damaris SchlongNotetaker/Assistant: Danita McAnally

Focus Group AssignmentsFriday

Rooms & Facilitators for Focus Groups:

Orange Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room – left side room

Facilitator: LuLu CowanNotetaker/Assistant: Bob Austin

Green Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room – right side room

Facilitator: Damaris SchlongNotetaker/Assistant: Danita McAnally

What happens as a result of today’s discussion?

All information gathered will be used by AC in developing the new strategic plan for the next 5 years.

Strategic Plan Development

May or June: Strategic Plan recommended to Amarillo College Board

August to September: Distribution of AC’s new Strategic Plan to our community and college

Questions

Thank you for assisting

Amarillo College with determining

its future directions.

Copyright 2010