Strategic Plan 2023-2028
Strategic Plan 2023-2028
Overview of Strategic Planning Process
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) began the process of revising its Strategic Plan in 2020 by establishing High Level Initiatives (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Guided Pathways) through its “Strategy on a Page” document. This document guided individual departments as they completed balanced scorecards. These scorecards were completed by the Physical Plant, Counseling, Student Conduct, Orientation, Continuing Education, Work Based Learning, Assessment, Student Activities, the Business Office, and Student Affairs. Goals generated through this process informed the creation of an enterprise-level scorecard and a draft Strategic Plan in 2022.
In addition to the departments listed above, the following groups provided feedback on the Strategic Plan during the drafting process: DMACC Executive Council; Guided Pathways co-directors; the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; a faculty focus group representing all campuses; the Office of Planning, Assessment, and Data; and ICCLI/LINC alumni. This Strategic Plan incorporates survey feedback from students and community members. Finally, ten campus SWOT analysis sessions were conducted with faculty, staff, and administration during the Fall 2022 term. Results from these SWOT sessions informed the drafting process and will be rolled into future Strategic Plan cycles.
Des Moines Area Community College Strategic Plan 2023-2028
This Strategic Plan is reflective of DMACC’s mission, vision, and values.
Mission:
DMACC provides quality, affordable, student-centered education and training to empower our diverse communities and to serve as a catalyst for economic development.
Vision:
Improving quality of life, supporting our communities, and cultivating a prosperous Iowa.
Values:
Accessible Learning: DMACC provides accessible and affordable life-long learning opportunities.
Diversity & Inclusion: DMACC embraces the differences of individuals, champions mutual respect, and provides enriching environments for growth and understanding.
Quality & Excellence: DMACC delivers high-quality instruction and services utilizing standards of excellence, ethics, and professionalism.
Service: DMACC educates, supports, and provides resources to develop skills and talent for a competitive workforce.
Engagement: DMACC fosters partnerships in and with the communities we serve.
DMACC’s Strategic Goals
The
Changing Lives. Empowering Communities: 2023-2028 Strategic Plan sets DMACC’s institutional direction for the next five years, enabling the institution to progress through a series of changes necessary to its mission. Goals are directly tied to DMACC’s high-level initiatives and the
Strategy on a Page document. The strategic goals and associated indicators are numbered to assist with tracking and references, not to imply hierarchy.
Strategic Goal 1: DMACC will change lives by improving student success with Guided Pathways
Within the Guided Pathways model, students who are still deciding on a degree program can explore their options within a pathway without losing time, credits, or money. DMACC will support career exploration and help students gain clarity on their futures, including career planning and/or successful transfer. In Guided Pathways, students become part of a community, with resources and a success team to support them, ensuring an effective way to learn, explore, and succeed.
Key Strategies for Student Success
1.1: Through Guided Pathways, advance student success.
1.1.a: Increase degree-seeking student progression by increasing the percentage of students who earn 15+ credit hours in the first semester and increasing the percentage of students who earn 30+ credit hours in the first year.
1.1.b: Increase part time degree-seeking student progress by increasing the credit hours earned for those enrolled in less than 12 credit hours during their first semester.
1.1.c: Increase Fall-to-Fall retention of degree-seeking students across all racial groups.
1.1.d: Increase student proficiency on Essential Learning Outcomes by pathway.
Strategic Goal 2: DMACC will create a diverse and inclusive community committed to leveraging resources to dismantle structural barriers.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is central to our mission of empowering all communities. DMACC must ensure equitable access and success to serve underrepresented populations. Staff and faculty should reflect the student population, and the campus culture should foster inclusion and belonging. DMACC will respond to the changing demographics of Iowa by expanding support for diverse populations.
Key Strategies for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
2.1: Increase the diversity demographics of all DMACC employees. Ensure the staff and faculty reflect the diversity present in our student population at the campuses and centers across the district.
2.2: Expand resources and support for diverse and underrepresented populations.
2.3: Create and foster an inclusive campus climate where all students, faculty, and staff experience a strong sense of belonging and are equipped with the resources they need to be successful.
2.4: Through strategic and systemic training, development, and resourcing, advance an inclusive environment where DEI is embedded throughout every area of the institution.
Strategic Goal 3: DMACC will provide quality and excellence in all areas across the district.
DMACC continues to improve the quality and excellence of its educational and student services offerings. Providing a quality student experience also requires efficient and effective institutional operations. Operational excellence is achieved when institutional resources are aligned with the core mission, and high performance is matched with fiscal stewardship on the behalf of stakeholders. The college also recognizes that investing in the quality and excellence of its staff and faculty through professional development is vital to its mission.
Key Strategies for Quality and Excellence:
3.1: Continue to be a preferred employer in the region where employees are fully equipped to perform their job responsibilities at high levels.
3.2: Bolster student enrollment, success, and completion to help students move in and move on.
3.3: Provide quality, student-centered education to improve the quality of life for our students and communities.
3.4: Increase funding for student scholarships, and facility and program enhancements through the Foundation.
3.5: Build and maintain a culture of analysis-informed decision-making across the institution.
3.6: Provide sound fiscal management to ensure the financial integrity of the College and its supportive services to meet the needs of our stakeholders.
3.7: Strengthen internal communication, district operations, and facilities planning.
Strategic Goal 4: DMACC will educate, support, and provide resources to develop skills and talent for a competitive workforce. To meet this challenge, DMACC will improve its financial stewardship and economic development efforts.
DMACC exists in a vibrant sector of Iowa and receives significant financial support from students and families, state and federal funding, and property taxpayers. The college’s financial strength and stewardship allows it to provide education and training opportunities for all communities and to partner in initiatives that further the mission. DMACC will continue to serve as a catalyst for economic development by maintaining a responsible allocation of resources.
Key Strategies for Financial Stewardship
4.1: Maintain sound financial performance.
4.2: Align financial resources to its strategic goals.
4.3: Achieve greater agility and efficiency by streamlining processes and establishing clear organizational roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities.
Key Strategies for Economic Development
4.4: Develop and use a transparent and data-informed process to identify high-demand, labor market needs appropriate to the mission of the College, whether credit or non-credit, and will develop or revise programs to meet those needs.
4.5: Actively partner with external stakeholders, including businesses, organizations, donors, alumni, and governing bodies.
Strategic Goal 5: DMACC will foster partnerships in and with the communities we serve.
DMACC is a full partner in community growth and development across the district. The college provides opportunities for community education and engagement consistent with its mission to empower diverse communities. In order to strengthen its partnerships, DMACC will improve communication and collaboration with community organizations.
Key Strategies for Community Outreach and Engagement
5.1: Create goals aligned with DMACC’s mission to guide community outreach.
5.2: Identify and partner with community organizations that share DMACC’s mission to create mutually beneficial outcomes.
5.3: Establish a centralized resource for community outreach and partnership information to improve tracking and collaboration with the public.
5.4: Strengthen relationships with local school districts to create seamless pathways for more students to enter DMACC.
5.5: Partner with social service organizations to identify and meet the needs of underserved communities and populations.