Program Development Plan
FINAL
Program:
Cherokee Center
Department: Educational Outreach
FINAL
Date: January 08, 2016
Strengths: The Cherokee Center…
 is uniquely positioned to negotiate relationships between WCU and the EBCI community;
 director is well respected in the EBCI community;
 is a cultural bridge, clearinghouse, and even “cheerleader” for WCU and its programs within the EBCI community.
Recommendations
Immediate Opportunities for the WCU Administration
1. Move the Center into closer alignment with Cherokee Studies, Cherokee Language, students and other faculty. (p. 9)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Educational Outreach, Provost
July 1, 2016
C/R/N
Formalize and connect the mission
integration between the Cherokee Center,
Cherokee Studies and the Cherokee
Language programs
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
R
1
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
2. Implement a strategic planning exercise for the Center with substantial input from members of the Cherokee community. (pp. 9-10)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
N
TBD
External support in
collaboration with Educational
Outreach and Center director;
Advisory Board, EBCI
education department, cultural
resources, KPEP, health
representatives, as well as
WCU Cherokee programs and
various colleges
Strategic plan
completed by
May 1, 2016.
Implementati
on of plan to
begin Fall
2016.
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Provost; Educational Outreach;
Center Director
Names
provided to
Provost by
January 30,
2016.
First meeting
in early
March 2016
C/R/N
Conduct joint WCU-EBCI strategic
planning sessions to clarify the vision and
mission of the Center, set Center goals,
define personnel roles, timelines and
assessment for Center activities. Strategic
planning sessions will be directed by a
person external to the unit (and possible the
institution).
Short Range Opportunities for the WCU Administration
3. Establish an Advisory Council for the Center. (p. 10)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
C/R/N
Develop a joint WCU-EBCI Cherokee
Center Advisory Council to maintain
ongoing input from both communities in
the operation of the Cherokee Center (1215 members). To include key constituent
groups, plus recommendations from the
Tribal Chief.
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
C
2
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
4. Facilitate the presence of Center staff in a clearly identifiable space on campus for two days each week. (p. 10)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
M
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Educational Outreach; Center
director
Starting
Monday,
January 11,
2016
(beginning in
the afternoon
due to prior
scheduled
event)
C/R/N
Designate and equip on-campus office for
Center staff and student assistants to meet
directly with WCU faculty, students and
staff (career planning and admissions, for
example). Use one of the testing rooms in
Educational Outreach.
N
Monday and Tuesday on campus 8A-5P,
Wednesday through Friday in Cherokee.
Establish designated office hours.
Educational Outreach will develop
marketing to campus community.
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
3
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
Long Range Opportunities for the WCU Administration
5. Develop a succession plan for the leadership of the Center. (p. 10)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Center director in consultation
with Educational Outreach
February 15,
2016
C/R/N
Determine when new director might be
needed. Planning can be conducting during
strategic planning process mentioned in #2.
N
6. Ensure that the Center is written into grant proposals related to the Cherokee community that are submitted by WCU faculty and
others for which Center staff provide significant support. (p. 10)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Cherokee Center Director;
Director of Sponsored
Research
Spring 2016
C/R/N
Inform the colleges at WCU of the
potential for Cherokee community
involvement in their proposals and
coordinate with the Office of Research
Administration and IRB committee
N
Develop materials to communicate
opportunities and necessary information
when working with EBCI community. To
include boilerplate text to be included in
grant proposals.
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
4
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
7. Consider constructing a classroom building within the Cherokee community‐‐in conjunction with the Cherokee community‐‐for the
offering of WCU courses as well as preparation classes (e.g., SAT, GRE, GED, FAFSA). (p. 10)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Center director
Beginning
immediately
2016
C/R/N
Discuss with tribal leadership need for
locating classroom space and prep training.
Determine appropriate programming and
locations for that programming.
N
Work with campus community to develop
programming.
Identify unmet educational needs in EBCS
community.
Immediate Opportunities for the Cherokee Center
8. Establish a process for routinely documenting the daily interactions and contacts of the Cherokee Center staff. (p. 10)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Cherokee Center Office
Associate
Current and
ongoing
C/R/N
Maintain daily logs of outreach, drop-ins,
phone calls. Maintain staff activities
calendar. Report provided to Educational
Outreach every Monday.
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
C
5
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
9. Initiate planning to present additional Programs at the Cherokee Center. (p. 11)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
M.
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Center administrative associate
will be responsible for updates.
Center director will initiate a
new brochure in consultation
with WCU’s Marketing, Social
Media and Creative Services
departments.
Spring 2016
C/R/N
Merge with #7.
10. Advertise Cherokee Center Services. (p. 11)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
Resources needed
C/R/N
Increase the number of media connections
in addition to the Cherokee One Feather.
Improve relationship with WCU public
relations staff. Regularly update websites
and Facebook page. Create and distribute
updated brochure to advertise Center
services
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
N
6
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
11. Cross‐train Cherokee Center Staff in Admissions. (p. 11)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Cherokee Center Director
Admission Office Director
Fall 2016
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
C/R/N
Contact the Admission Office with request
to receive basic WCU admissions training
to better recruit and guide EBCI students.
Request regular updates related to student
eligibility and requirements
C
12. Participate in Strategic Planning Exercise initiated by WCU administration. (p. 11)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
Resources needed
Costs
C/R/N
See recommendation #2.
Short Range Opportunities for the Cherokee Center
13. Maintain an on‐campus presence in a clearly identified space two days a week. (p. 11)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
Resources needed
Costs
C/R/N
See recommendation #4.
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
7
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
14. Utilize student workers in Cherokee Center operation. (p. 11)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
M
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
N
TBD
Center director will seek
assignment of student workers
from work/study and other
student employment programs.
With direction from the
director, the support associate
will oversee student workers
Fall 2016
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Center director will coordinate
with WCU CEAP, Indian
educators
at local public schools, and
counselors at Cherokee Central
Fall 2016
C/R/N
Develop a plan to employ 2-3 student
workers to assist in the operations for the
Center in Cherokee and WCU office.
15. Coordinate Pre‐Collegiate Programs. (pp. 11-12)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
C/R/N
Establish close working relationship with
Indian educators at public schools-Swain,
Smoky Mountain, Robbinsville, Murphy.
Utilize programs already in place such as
MedCat and institute new youth
development programs
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
N
8
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
16. Establish mentoring programs for middle school, high school and WCU students utilizing current WCU students and alumni. (p.
12)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
H
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Center director with assistance
from WCU alumni association
and EBCI education programs
Fall 2016
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
C/R/N
Follow up and secure mentors from the
many WCU alum or prominent community
members devoted to supporting student
success. Identify current WCU students
willing to mentor high school students
N
17. Facilitate a consistent WCU Presence at Cherokee sports events. (p. 12)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
M
Resources needed
C/R/N
Continue the Cherokee Day held during
football season. Involve more of the
community and approach other athletic
programs. Work with WCU athletic
department to arrange for WCU athletes to
make public appearances at select athletic
events on the Qualla Boundary as a
recruitment activity.
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
C
TBD
Center director arranges with
WCU athletic department to
provide student athlete
ambassadors to tout WCU
sports
Fall 2016
9
AAcademic Affair
Program Development Plan
FINAL
FINAL
Recommendations
Long Range Opportunities for the Cherokee Center
18. Develop a program to identify and engage with EBCI college students who return home before completing their degrees. (p. 12)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
M
Resources needed
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Center director will work with
EBCI education department to
identify target students and
coordinate with the WCU
admission office to restart their
student careers.
Fall 2016
Costs
Person(s) Responsible
Date of Review
TBD
Center direct with tribal
business development program
and career planning
Fall 2016
C/R/N
Develop a strategy for identifying EBCI
students who leave college before degree
completion and re-engaging their college
careers at WCU.
C
19. Coordinate workforce development programs in partnership with the EBCI. (p. 12)
Priority
Strategic Action
L/M/H
M
Resources needed
C/R/N
Center will be a liaison between WCU
academic departments and EBCI business,
foundation and educational leaders to
coordinate workforce development
programs for the EBCI
Cherokee
Center
H/M/L – High / Medium / Low
C/R/N – Current / Reallocated / New
C
10
AAcademic Affair