Institutional and Community Planning
Strategic Planning
Environmental Scan
Results
Fall 2003
Office of the Vice President of Research and Development
Institutional and Community Planning
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Environmental Scan
Executive Summary ................................................................................................. i
Dean Areas...............................................................................................................1
Valle Verde IE Team ...............................................................................................8
Mission del Paso IE Team .....................................................................................14
Transmountain IE Team ........................................................................................18
Workforce Development & Lifelong Learning IE Team ......................................23
Northwest Campus IE Team..................................................................................28
Administrator’s Session .........................................................................................34
Administrative Service Center IE Team ................................................................45
Vice President of Research and Development
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Institutional and Community Planning
Environmental Scan
Fall 2003
Executive Summary
During the Fall 2003 semester, the Institutional and Community
Planning, Office of the Vice President of Research and Development, facilitated
a College-wide Environmental Scan process in each operating and
administrative area of the College. This process, also known as a S.W.O.T.
analysis, identified existing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
to effective College operations and services. The Environmental Scan process
provided a forum to develop a “snap-shot” of conditions impacting El Paso
Community College at the time of this analysis.
The process was expanded for fiscal year 2003-2004 to solicit broad-based
input for faculty, staff, and administrators regarding their perceptions of
internal and external conditions that were impacting El Paso Community
College at that time. The use of such information is four-fold:
1. To provide all employees of El Paso Community College District
input into the College’s long-term vision (Strategic Plan)
2. To encourage open dialogue of needed areas of improvement and
strengths upon which to build
3. To provide EPCC decision-makers with another tool to guide their
decision-making process
4. To involve all faculty, staff, and administrators in planning the
future of El Paso Community College based upon updated
information and insight into current conditions
Information was sought from each Dean area throughout the College
District in meetings with faculty. Meetings were held with campus Institutional
Effectiveness Teams (I.E.) who represent students, faculty and staff at each
EPCC campus and site. Administrators were guided in the same Environmental
Scanning/Strategic Planning process by Dr. Richard Rhodes at the President’s
Annual Planning Session in late November 2003. In addition, College personnel
were encouraged to submit ideas and concerns anonymously if they desired. All
of this information is compiled for District-wide use and reference in this
document.
Vice President of Research and Development
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Institutional and Community Planning
ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN FROM DEAN AREAS
What are we doing especially well?
What must happen to ensure that we
continue doing well and even improve?
Hire more FT instructors
Continue with maximum workable class
sizes
Ensure that we have good instructors –
which means hiring more FT
Continue with what we’re doing now
Allow creative approaches to teaching
and keeping class sizes small
Good teaching
Class sizes
Most classes are being taught well
Innovative
Delivering instruction to students in a
variety of modes
Always looking for ways to offer
students and community sound and
varied programs
Diverse course offerings
Good and frequent communications with
students
Good emphasis on working together,
meeting each other, through the inclusion
of staff in Faculty Development
Library research and resources good
Technology available to both staff and
students
Technology in all areas
Pay better salaries at all levels
Remove barriers to communication as
soon as we become aware of them
Work together towards common goal
Make provisions for upgrading software
including in all Labs
Continue partnership
Promising because H.S. students earn
college credits, while we demonstrate
what we do well. However, we need
better communications between
Counselors at both schools, good lessons,
and clearer expectations
Partnership with UTEP
Dual credit program
Strong enrollment
Opening new classes at TM to
accommodate enrollment increase
Continue in order to accommodate
enrollment increases
Encourage enrollment by actively
recruiting for TM
Well maintained facilities
Good support staff
Good student services
Vice President of Research and Development
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are we currently
doing poorly?
Retention
Counseling not catching
pre-requisites
What do our
students/customers tell us
we should improve?
What do employees tell
us we should improve?
Students want the learning
process to be more
attractive by bringing
technology into the
classroom
Students want
improvements in
Counseling
Employees think there are
too many endless meetings
that never bring
results…too much e-mail
spasm from within the
institution
Low standards for
reading, math, writing,
and grammar
Have as many workshops
to give faculty
opportunities to study
Set up guidelines for both
areas mentioned
Insist that instructors focus
on requiring essay writing
sparingly…might not be
well received because of
time consuming grading
No apology or explanation
was given. Improvement
in sensitivity needed
Services sometimes not
done professionally, i.e.,
flu shots offered at
RG…nurses late, lots of
senior citizens waiting
impatiently and some very
upset
Marketing Slogan “The
Best Place to Start” is
good but should not run
too much longer
Billboards look cheap and
generic because of the
“Clip Art” look. They
cheapen the college’s
image.
Vice President of Research and Development
Exactly what should we
do to improve these
aspects of our services?
Change more often
Remove billboards or
improve. TV spots with
Dr. Rhodes are good
because he has good
camera presence
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are we currently
doing poorly?
Too much planning or
emphasis on staff and not
nearly enough for faculty
Athletic programs create
hostile views of the
college to our student
market…negative
comments are heard all the
time, pertaining to the
squandering of taxpayer
dollars for a white
elephant
What do our
Exactly what should we
students/customers tell us do to improve these
we should improve?
aspects of our services?
What do employees tell
us we should improve?
Don’t know that a
telephone operator or a
clerk in Accounts Payable
ever had an impact in a
student’s life, like I have
heard of the “Gerald
Moneys, Ed Silvas, or Joe
Martinez’” have
We are trying to be
everything to everybody,
e.g., Senior Citizen
programs, Children’s
College…they are good
programs, but they drain
funding and focus from
the academic side. Gives
the impression that we are
a YMCA entity with
Yoga, Belly Dancing, and
Poodle Grooming
Need to upgrade facilities
and services provided to
students
Clean up VV – ugly, dirty,
awful blaring music
Students are telling us to
improve scheduling of
classes
Students complain about
the AC and Heating units
being too noisy at TM
portables…either too hot,
or too cold
Employees complaints are
same as above
Students want better
facilities at TM
Vice President of Research and Development
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Find professionals who
will do their job well in
this area
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Institutional and Community Planning
What
competitors
are
“knocking at
our doors?”
What makes
them a real
threat?
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
What other
forces (e.g.,
Social,
Demographic,
Political,
Economic or
Technological)
threaten us?
Private
schools
Four year
schools
Other colleges
The
proprietary
schools and
Technical
schools
UOP, Career
Center,
Western
Technical
But we outperform them
The Technical
schools
bypass
General Ed –
making them
an attractive
alternative to
an Associate’s
degree
They’re a
threat because
they provide
fast
certificates
Emphasize
more finishing
a Bachelor’s
degree, and
establish more
inverted
degrees
Offer smaller
classes
Have more
transferable
courses
Competition is
healthy…future is
unpredictable –
it’s designed that
way
Get more
endowments
Minimize by
helping
students
realize that a
well rounded
education and
degree are
more valuable
than a
certificate
Poor Human
Relations
Poor
Customer
Service
Vice President of Research and Development
Political
funding cuts
are scary
What should we
do about these
threats?
Develop an
effective student
complaint system,
and train staff
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What
competitors
are
“knocking at
our doors?”
What makes
them a real
threat?
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
What other
forces (e.g.,
Social,
Demographic,
Political,
Economic or
Technological)
threaten us?
Lack of
quality
education
Lack of high
standards
Fast track
language
Have higher
standards…well
taught students will
keep us competitive
Same as above
Appealing to
students;
however, in
the long run
what they get
isn’t as well
developed
Advertise
success stories
Access to Internet in
classroom is only
available in one or
two classrooms or
Labs
Limited
Internet access
in classrooms
Poor command
of language
High tuition
Private
schools,
churches,
surrounding
community
colleges
What should we do
about these
threats?
Promises of
expediency
Vice President of Research and Development
Advertise the
fact that we
also have
short-term
careers. Our
competitors
advertise this
fact
7
The Legislature
Make provisions
English classes
should be stricter
Train people to be
student oriented
Lobby
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
Why are they promising? What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
New Programs, i.e., Title
V, and Service Learning
Handle UTEP’s lower
They will increase
level classes
enrollment
Instructors should be
trained to “counsel” in
their areas
Facilitate job placement
for graduates
Provide better study skills
note-taking, memorization,
and writing
Marketing – the
“Partnership” TV ads are
good, but do not tell what
these partnerships lead to
in terms of long term
objectives for our student
market
On-line classes
Dual Credit Program
Service Learning
Open Lab atmosphere
Health Science Building
Better transferability to
UTEP and NMSU
Maximizing the learning
environment provided
opportunities in field of
interest…also flexible
hours
Same as above
Same as above
Students are relaxed and
feel comfortable about
asking questions
Will serve the students
with real life activities,
will also serve community,
and reflect our college
mission
More students will take
classes here
Vice President of Research and Development
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New course in Study
Skills was supposed to
remedy this…no
improvement seen
Interact positively and
encourage the student to
take advantage of this
Include Social SciencesHave students write
poems, news releases,
interview students, and
become involved with
community
Work on articulation
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
More articulation with
UTEP, NMSU, UACJ,
TEC de Monterey
Why are they promising? What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
Pool resources and share
Be proactive
opportunities
Vice President of Research and Development
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Institutional and Community Planning
ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
Valle Verde IE Team
What are we doing
especially well?
Better communication with
UTEP for transferability
More lab availability and
assistance in labs… better
than other colleges
Nursing Program is excellent
program at the college
Caters to the community
Integrating of technology in
the courses
Instructor to student ratio is
better and students to
facilitators good
Tuition is lower than other
Universities and proprietor
schools in town
Better communication with
students at the beginning of
each semester
Extending the times of classes
to later on in the day to
increase availability
Community involvement
through the arts is great
Formulation of the Core
Values and communicating
them to our students
Better articulation with UTEP
Teaching – including
accommodating the needs of
individual students
Vice President of Research and Development
What must happen to ensure that we continue
doing well and even improve?
More money needs to be allocated to budgets to be
able to continued to provide better services and for
the programs in general
Need to provide measures to control paper and toner
usage in the open lab areas. Students tend to abuse
the free supplies provided to them. Many budgets
are over extended because of student abuse of the
facilities and supplies.
Expand our customer services by re-instating the
information booth at the SSC – VV
Involve the community in other projects besides the
visual arts
Money for supplies, equipment, space, and faculty
Keep motivated to do the BEST
Keep telling the stories of our accomplishments to
individuals and to the media
Keep our integrity
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Institutional and Community Planning
Valle Verde IE Team
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
What are they
promising?
Take advantage of the
students that do attend
They are promising
because they give students
reasons to attend EPCC
longer before transferring
to another institution
Keep constant
communication with
students while they are
here
EPCC can use this as a
way in which expand
course offerings by
utilizing classes that are on
the books but don’t make
due to low enrollment
Meet the needs
Give them quick,
courteous service
Offer programs where
students can finish their
degrees quickly and join
the job market sooner
Have the Job Placement
promote more
The college should work
closer with the city
officials to create better
high paying jobs for our
students when they
graduate
The drastic tuition increase
at UTEP is one of our
biggest opportunities to
increase our enrollment,
but it of course will
present some challenges
Partnerships w/School
Districts such as Dual
Credit
Vice President of Research and Development
11
What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
More advertising geared
toward these
demographics (High
School students, UTEP
students w/emphasis on
taking courses in their
major Field of Study)
Talk, plan, produce
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Institutional and Community Planning
Valle Verde IE Team
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
What are they
promising?
What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
Fields of Study allowing
students to pursue courses
in their major before going
on to UTEP or another 4
year institution
Working cooperatively
with UTEP, NMSU,
Businesses, High Schools,
NGOs
Building the Art dept.
Vice President of Research and Development
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Institutional and Community Planning
Valle Verde IE Team
What are we currently
doing poorly?
Poorly designed buildings
and condition of buildings
is deteriorating
At Valle Verde, we need
to improve the quality of
the environment by
providing students
adequate space to study
and interact with one
another
Our Deans are so busy
meeting as a leadership
team that they have little
time to lead.
Too much paperwork
What do our
students/customers tell us
we should improve?
Bigger, cleaner bathrooms
What do our employees
tell us we should
improve?
Cleanliness of bathrooms
Employee knowledge of
the campus and location of
Campus Deans, etc…
Control room temperatures
better
Technology in the
classrooms, especially
those that teach
presentation skills
Need bigger lab areas to
accommodate students
Employees
Control use of printers to
save toner. Stop buying
cheap toners that do not
last. One cartridge lasts
one week sometimes in the
labs
Need to implement an ID
scanning system to ensure
that labs are used only by
current EPCC students
More bathrooms facilities
are needed at VV
Need to update all
equipment not just
computers and update
software
Accessibility to all areas
for students with
disabilities
Student Services
Bigger, cleaner bathrooms
(Counseling and Financial
Aid) should stop giving
students the run around and
wrong information
Be nicer - smile
More technology in the
classrooms
Offer more sections
Better communications
between Staff, Faculty,
and Administration
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Institutional and Community Planning
Valle Verde IE Team
What
competitors
are
“knocking”
at our
doors?
What makes
then a real
threat?
UTEP
Faster education Offer better
services
especially Job
Placement
NMSU
Assertive
Methods of
Teaching
Shorter degree
plans
Cisco
Academy
Degrees are
already planned
and
programmed for
students
Western
Tech
Intense courses
of study
allowing
students to
finish in a short
time
When we don’t
give what we
promise to
students and to
faculty
Cater
education to
working
students and to
overall needs
of the students
Recruit
students from
local
businesses to
further their
education
Offer mire
opportunities
to students
such as the
Disney Co-Op
internship
program
Border
Institute of
Technology
&
International
Business
College
Vice President of Research and Development
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
14
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic or
technological)
threaten us?
Technology
should have
gone wireless
at least three
years ago
Out dated and
hazardous
furniture
Configuration
of rooms to
serve the
technological
needs of the
student
Too many
campuses,
money spread
too thin
Need more
resources
allocated to the
campuses that
have heavy
enrollment
such as VV
What should
we do about
these threats?
Try to improve
the technology
Improve VV
campus and
expand the
facilities.
Growth at that
campus has
continued over
the years. We
need more
room there.
Work on
providing
better services
and shorter
educational
programs
Invent more
ways to get
scholarship
funds
Improve wages
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Institutional and Community Planning
Valle Verde IE Team
What
competitors
are
“knocking at
our doors?
What
makes
them a real
threat?
What should we
do to minimize the
risks posed by
these competitors?
Border
Institute of
Technology
Offer a wider
variety of minimesters and Power
Packs
International
Business
College
Improve ourselves
for example – Parttimers did not get a
raise when the Fulltimers got a raise
Park College
Vice President of Research and Development
15
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic or
technological)
threaten us?
Budget cuts and
constraints
What should
we do about
these
threats?
Keep
working on
improving
our
technological
abilities
Social – one of
the greatest
forces that
threaten us is
our own
attitudes
Political – the
war
Economic – We
need to
continue
harping away
singing
positivity about
the benefits of
funding
education
Technology –
the computer in
my office is so
old it does not
meet the simple
needs I have
with my
students
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Institutional and Community Planning
ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
MDP IE TEAM
What are we doing especially well?
Mission is student-oriented and student
centered
Mission enrollment increases each
semester
Mission boasts excellent instruction
What must happen to ensure that we
continue doing well and even improve/
The facility and personnel must expand at
the same rate our enrollment does
We must continue working creatively
We must continue to motivate the staff
and faculty
Mission has the highest ESOL and ESAL
retention and completion rate of the 5
campuses
Mission is an attractive, well-maintained
campus
Mission’s Tutoring Lab is CRLAcertified
Mission is a friendly campus
Mission has a highly motivated staff and
a positive campus climate
Vice President of Research and Development
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Institutional and Community Planning
MDP IE TEAM
What are we currently
doing poorly? What do
our students/customers
tell us we should
improve?
Some students are being
rushed through Counseling
Some students are being
mis-advised
What do our employees
tell us we should
improve?
Exactly what should we
do to improve these
aspects of our services?
Staffing is
uneven/inequitable across
campuses and offices
(Mission’s ESL
population, for example,
equals that of other
campuses, but has only
part-time ESL Lab staff,
where the other campuses
have one or two fulltimers). Reading Lab –
same. Math Lab and
C.S.D. also need more.
Part-time faculty are not
encouraged to be full
partners (e.g., lines of
communication, pay).
Hire more academic
advisors
Parking remains a problem
Public transportation to the
campus does not exist
Lack of sufficient physical
access to the Mission del
Paso Campus, because
there is only one good
entrance/exit.
Institute better and more
consistent, continuous
training for academic
advisors
Staff campuses, Labs, and
offices according to
student numbers
Give attention to part-time
email accounts and raises
Lack of sufficient physical
access to the Mission del
Paso Campus, because
there is only one good
entrance/exit.
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Institutional and Community Planning
MDP IE TEAM
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
Why are they
promising?
Far East El Paso, the
Lower Valley, East El
Paso County areas are
growing at the highest rate
of all and will continue to
do so
Campus enrollment and
will continue to increase
Vice President of Research and Development
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What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
Provide more classroom
space and class sections to
accommodate growth,
increase staff and faculty
to address this growth.
EPCC advertising should
mention ALL campuses
and their locations. Some
people still don’t know
we’re out here and where
we’re located.
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Institutional and Community Planning
MDP IE TEAM
What
competitors
are
“knocking” at
our doors?
What makes
them a real
threat?
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
Doña Ana
Branch
Community
College
They take
away some
students, but
may not be
accredited
Maintain
accreditation
Private
Schools
Vice President of Research and Development
Keep tuition
down
19
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic, or
technological)
threaten us?
Federal and
state budget
cuts
What should
we do about
these threats?
Prioritize
spending
wisely
Careless
Advocate for
spending of our funds and for
own resources
technology
Internet
frequently
down or slow
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
TM IE Team
What are we doing especially well?
As an institution we are looking at the
overall needs of the college and the
students
Making changes in the areas that directly
affect the students and employees
Analyzing programs that are a
burden/tasking on resources
The college is providing educational
services to area residents that might not
otherwise have the opportunity to receive
an education
The college is providing vocational
training to students who will serve the
needs of the local community
Dedication and quality of faculty and
staff
Variety of programs offered
Small classes
Low cost to student for educational
opportunity
What must happen to ensure that we
continue doing well and even improve?
Accept the changes and put forth the
ideas from committees. The moment that
we disagree or try to change the
recommendations, then we are going to
be back in the same situation.
The college must continue to be aware of
the needs of local employers in order to
design vocational programs that meet the
needs of those employers.
The college must continue to
communicate with all segments of the
local population regarding the
educational opportunities available at
EPCC
Improve ability to attract and keep
qualified applicant pool for some
openings
Decrease dependence on part-time faculty
Increase up-to-date technology in many
classrooms
Increase program offerings
Maintain or decrease classroom size
Maintain current cost for student
Find other sources of income to keep
student cost down
Vice President of Research and Development
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Institutional and Community Planning
TM IE Team
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
Why are they promising? What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
We have the opportunity to In order to change the
The College should
be a leader in the programs future we must look at the analyze the healthcare
that other institutions do
past. If we keep on doing needs of this community
not offer. We have
the same thing over and
by partnering with local
students because of the
over, than we are not
hospitals and healthcare
educational endeavors that moving forward
providers. The College
they can obtain
should then design its
programs to meet those
needs
We have the opportunity to The general population is
change.
increasing amounts of
healthcare and recreational
options
We can analyze what has
Increase income for
not worked in the past and institution
include something that will
or that has the possibility
to.
The area of Allied Health
Appeal for student
will continue to be an
enrollment
important area of
education as the general
population increases in
age.
Growth in the service area Increase of income from
grant sources
Dual credit/concurrent
Ease of transferability for
students
Grants
Partnerships with
University
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Institutional and Community Planning
TM IE Team
What are we
currently doing
poorly?
What do our
students/customers
tell us we should
improve?
What do our
employees tell us
we should
improve?
If we can not find a Read the surveys!!!
method to keep our Look at the drop
students, then we
rate!!!
will not be able to
be in existence for
any time longer
without the same
issues.
They took the
“Employee Forum
Off Line!!!!!!!!
That is enough.
An excellent form
of “internal”
communication
We also take a
long time to make
the recommended
changes, we spend
too much time
doing surveys, and
looking at data that
already exists.
Employees
typically want
increased wages
and lower-cost
health benefits.
The part-time
faculty wants a
stronger role in the
decision-making at
the College.
Public perception
of College needs
improvement
Students make
frequent comments
regarding the
inaccuracy of the
advise given to
them by counselors
The academic
Counseling
function of the
College needs to
improve.
EPCC should be
seen as asset to
economic
development
Vice President of Research and Development
22
Exactly what
should we do to
improve these
aspects of our
service?
The College
should carefully
study the
workload of
Counselors to
determine if
additional staff
should be hired.
The College
should also make
sure that
Counselors are
current in their
knowledge of
College
procedures and
programs.
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1/26/04
Institutional and Community Planning
TM IE Team
What
competitors
are
“knocking” a
tour doors?
Every school
in the area is a
competitor.
We
understand the
needs of the
community,
and the needs
of the
students. We
know who is a
direct threat,
and yet we do
not change
what we are
doing. We
have just
started to
advertise and
spend money
in marketing,
something that
should be part
of the budget
from the
beginning.
What makes
them a real
threat?
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic or
technological)
threaten us?
The ability to
Work with those All of the
change in
that feed us above
direct relation local schools.
to the
Rather than go
community
to them during a
without having time that no one
to wait years.
can attend,
By the time
bring them to
we change,
us.
they have
implemented
that change
and are in a
new one.
Vice President of Research and Development
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
23
What should
we do about
these threats?
Listen and
learn from
them
c:/Environmental Scan Report.DOC
1/26/04
Institutional and Community Planning
TM IE Team
What
competitors
are
“knocking”
at our doors?
What makes
them a real
threat?
Vice President of Research and Development
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic or
technological)
threaten us?
Continue to
The ability for
offer courses in students to take
an effort to
classes online
provide a full
is both an
certificate and
opportunity
degree program and a threat.
through distance Online
learning.
education is an
Continue efforts opportunity for
to provide a full students that
on-line service
cannot
and support for physically
distance
attend, can
learning
now enroll in
students to
classes. The
include
threat of online
admission,
education is
registration,
that colleges
payment,
from other
orientation, and areas can now
other as needed. recruit our
students.
Encourage
faculty to
develop on-line
courses with
incentive
programs.
Improve
marketing
efforts for
distance
learning
24
What should
we do about
these threats?
The college
should be
much more
aggressive in
placing
students in
jobs that relate
to their
training
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Institutional and Community Planning
ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
Workforce Development & Lifelong Learning IE Team
What are we doing especially well?
Workforce Development is a vital
resource for Workforce and Economic
Development
Responds to the needs of the Community
by meeting the educational and service
needs of the non-traditional students
¾ the prison population that is
receiving educational and
technical training
¾ Senior citizens, Persons with
Disabilities
¾ serving those in the colonias,
¾ those persons who are underprivileged, under-served, undereducated
¾ those who are need of additional
or advanced training
Flexible scheduling to include; On-site,
evenings, and weekends
Employee membership on local, regional,
state and national boards
Internal and external collaboration with
developing partnerships
Serve the community through classes,
workshops and seminars.
What must happen to ensure that we
continue doing well & even improve?
Maintain a positive attitude
Rapid response service to customers,
clients, and students
Monitor quality of instruction and
services
Monitor quality of instruction and
services
Utilize CE faculty expertise for faculty
development
The division is responsive to the needs of Continue to be customer, client, and
the community
student-oriented
In spite of budget constraints, the division
does a lot with less
Vice President of Research and Development
25
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Institutional and Community Planning
Workforce Development & Lifelong Learning IE Team
What are we doing especially well?
EPCC received the Reaffirmation of
Accreditation from the Commission on
Colleges of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools
Small Business Development Center is an
important resource for the Economic
Development of El Paso
EPCC is responding to the needs of the
Community by offering credit courses
and non-credit courses
Also meeting the educational needs for
laid off workers
EPCC is serving the community through
classes, workshops and seminars for
students and business people
What must happen to ensure that we
continue doing well & even improve?
Continue the process of accreditation of
all new faculties
Maintain good moral and a positive
attitude
Rapid response service to customers,
clients, and students
Survey the instructional services and
correct any deficiencies
Good customer and telephone etiquette
Continue supporting grant programs that
impact the El Paso economic
development
Promote effective work ethics
Vice President of Research and Development
26
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Institutional and Community Planning
Workforce Development & Lifelong Learning IE Team
What are we currently
doing poorly?
What do our
students/customers/clients
& participants tell us we
should improve?
Addressing the needs of
Classroom facilities at
current programs
Lomaland need sound
proofing
Not planning well – future Registration is too
ideas
complicated for CE classes
Not promoting our
Textbook policies
program offerings to meet
the needs in our
community and within the
college
Scan for new program
Offer complete degrees at
offerings to meet the
the campuses
needs in our community
Better planning and use of
facilities (we do things
after the fact)
What do our employees
tell us we should
improve?
Better facilities – no
Lomaland
Better security at
Lomaland
Faculty would rather be
campus based rather than
travel to the other
campuses
Counseling is not addressing
the needs of the students in a
timely manner
Vice President of Research and Development
27
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Institutional and Community Planning
Workforce Development & Lifelong Learning IE Team
What
What makes
competitors
them a real
are
threat?
“knocking” at
our doors?
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
International
Business
College
They are
responsive to
student needs
Webster
University
Marketing
Institutional
Research
should scan
our
competitorscompetitor
threat
assessment
Study what
they are doing
good and bad
Western
Technical Inst.
Border
Institute of
Technology
Smaller
classes
Customer
friendly
University of
Phoenix
No tenured
faculty
We need to
work smarter
Every college
employee
needs to be a
goodwill
ambassador
What should
we do about
these things?
Not knowing
what the
competition is
doing is the
biggest threat
Plan our
college
resources
Run our
programs as
profit centers
Employee
accountability
Develop an
appraisal
system
Practice
telephone
etiquette
Continual
improvement
in customer
care
The way the
competition
promotes their
delivery
system
Pay
Vice President of Research and Development
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic, or
technological)
threaten us?
All of the
above
28
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Institutional and Community Planning
Workforce Development & Lifelong Learning IE Team
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
New businesses coming in
to the area needing the
Lifelong Learning and
Workforce services
Why are they Promising
What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
Increase enrollment due to Use focus groups to
the population shifts and
identify and clarify needs of
the changing needs of the our customers, clients,
various demographic
students and participants
groups
Increase enrollment and
alternative delivery
systems such as dual
credit; distance learning;
CE ON-LINE; Pipeline
and Orion connections
Providing faculty with the
opportunity for
externships
Reading profile of
students identifying wants
and needs
Community outreach
Labor pool of area/ region
Evaluate & use advisory
committees effectively
CE On-line registration
Increase enrollment and
offer more classes during
weekends and night courses
Increase enrollment and
offer more classes during
weekends and night courses
Evaluate instructors, (Part
time and full-time)
On line student counseling.
No more long lines and long
waiting at peak time
Providing faculty and staff
with the opportunity
professional development
Vice President of Research and Development
Form committees to identify
needs of students
Community outreach
29
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Institutional and Community Planning
ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
Northwest Campus IE Team
What are we doing especially well?
What must happen to ensure that we
continue doing well and even improve?
Building programs for the community – Add more programs and full-time
i.e., TECA, Library and school
personnel to chair those programs and
collaborative learning and future work
ensure that the new staff has the same goals
with Canutillo ISD
as the current staff does as well as the
positive attitude that “our” students are the
best!
I think we really are customer focused. Keep the “customer-focused” model at the
The students count! Everyone
forefront of everything. Make sure it’s
employed by EPCC seems genuinely
high on the priority list. Workshops have
helpful whenever they are doing their
helped.
work or are asked for help. Plus, there
are a lot of smiles as EPCC employees
go about their work.
The school is friendly and clean
Encourage students to rise to their
potentials. These students intend to attend
a four-year college and they must be
adequately prepared. They must be
challenged and forced to perform at a level
that is just above their present capabilities.
We must teach study skills, note-taking,
test taking and professional courtesy along
with academic content. I would like to
teach a U.S. History class that is designated
for “university-bound” students only. That
way they would expect to be in a course
that is modeled on University
requirements. The benefit is that they are
in a small class with an instructor who will
work with them on an individual basis.
Providing a service that helps the
Continue what is being done; keep
students in every aspect while attending communications open between each
EPCC
department, i.e., informing each other of
latest information and developments.
Accept feedback and follow-ups from the
students through the use of suggestion
boxes throughout.
Vice President of Research and Development
30
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Institutional and Community Planning
Northwest IE Team
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
What are they
promising?
Growth. Involved and
committed staff to increase
quality programs and a
quality education for all
who pass through the
doors of EPCC-NW
campus
The tuition increase at
UTEP and the new fields
of study we are offering
Enrollment is up, and
faculty cares
To offer degree programs
comparable to the
universities within range
so that EPCC enrollment
will grow, as students can
start here before finishing
at the university level
If students can take the
same credit class for less
money, our student
population will grow
They will generate
enrollment and funds for
the college
Vice President of Research and Development
31
What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
Keep hiring
instructors/professors that
want to help students to
succeed
Advertise, advertise,
advertise
Promote, recruit, and
retain
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Institutional and Community Planning
Northwest Campus IE Team
What are we
currently doing
poorly?
What do our
students/customers
tell us we should
improve?
What do our
employees tell us we
should improve?
Not poorly, but
needs improvement
– technology
repairs and
purchasing
Technology and its
repairs
I can’t answer this
because I’m too new.
All I can say is that
overhead projectors
in “C” building need
repair and each room
should have one that
works.
Faculty is spread
way too thin.
Current education
theory recommends
at least 2 hrs. of
preparation for
every hour taught.
If an instructor is
teaching a double
overload (to make
ends meet), that
means the class 21
hours/wk, and if the
standard 2 hrs.
preparation time is
used, that would be
an additional 42
hrs….(continued
on next pg.)
Employee knowledge
of the campus and
location of Campus
Deans, etc….
Vice President of Research and Development
32
Exactly
what should
we do to
improve
these
aspects of
our
services?
Require
faculty to
report the
problems to a
central
source and
then check to
see if the
problem has
been
corrected
within a brief
timeframe.
Control room
temperatures
better
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1/26/04
Institutional and Community Planning
What are we
currently doing
poorly?
What do our
students/customers
tell us we should
improve?
Morale and provide
(continued from
previous pg.) time incentives
is used that would
be an additional 42
hrs. that the
instructor should
spend on the
classes. That
equals 63
hours/wk. that
should be spent on
the classes.
However, there are
multitude meetings
that also have to be
attended to. So, the
classes suffer, the
committee work is
sub-par, and faculty
is putting in way
too many hours per
week
We’re allowing
students to set
standards when
they complain that
something is too
hard.
Unfortunately, we
often respond by
making it easier.
College should be
hard. College
education should be
earned
Vice President of Research and Development
33
What do our
employees tell us we
should improve?
More staffing and
friendlier services at
the bigger campuses
– i.e., VV
Exactly
what should
we do to
improve
these
aspects of
our
services?
Invest more
money and
allocate as
needed, don’t
threaten to
cut annual
pay raises
and staff
scholarships,
bring back
100% paid
medical
benefits.
c:/Environmental Scan Report.DOC
1/26/04
Institutional and Community Planning
Northwest Campus IE Team
What
competitors are
“knocking” at
our doors?
What
makes them
a real
threat?
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
UTEP – for
TECA, but we
help them.
NMSU offers
nothing for our
students in
Education – they
do not accept the
12 hrs. of TECA
in Education.
It transfers
only as free
hours.
Advertise our
programs
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic, or
technological)
threaten us?
Economic – we
need larger
budgets for
material
development
What should
we do about
these things?
I can’t say
with Texas
and the
funding
problem. We
may have to
do what the
ISDs are
doing, fight
for Border
funding. We
should also
fund the
programs that
are growing
the most and
cut back on
those that are
not. It is a
“rob Peter, to
pay Paul”
process.
EPCC should not
be in competition
with any local
business. This
whole section is
inappropriate for
a tax- payer
funded
organization.
Vice President of Research and Development
34
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Institutional and Community Planning
Northwest Campus IE Team
What
competitors
are
“knocking” at
our doors?
What makes
them a real
threat?
What should
we do to
minimize the
risks posed by
these
competitors?
NMSU, and
Doña Ana
Community
College, better
salaries, and
benefits
They are
recruiting in
the hallways.
Also, staff and
faculty leaving
Keep tuition at
the lowest and
offer degrees
that NMSU
offers, i.e.,
electronics
Vice President of Research and Development
35
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic, or
technological)
threaten us?
Technological
– we must be
up to date with
the latest
What should
we do about
these things?
A poor
economy – we
are competing
with students’
jobs
Encourage
students to
assume lowinterest
student loans
so they can
concentrate on
class work
and not just on
work
Find and
invest money
for what is
needed
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Institutional and Community Planning
ADMINISTRATOR’S SESSION
What are we doing especially well?
Developmental Education
Recruitment – High School Students, Transfer
Students
Partnerships – Businesses, Educational
Institutions (NMSU, UTEP, ISDs), City of El
Paso, Chamber of Commerce
Campus locations throughout the Community
Services for Students with Disabilities
Dedicated Faculty/Staff
Working with the Private Sector through
Foundation Board
Positive Image of College through CEO
Grant Development
Tailor to audiences
Week Marketing Strategies
Targeting Populations: Businesses,
Health Care
Expand recruitment: Team effort
Resources focused
District-wide recruitment plan
Better focus message – we can help
you get where you want to go
Advisory Committee for Marketing
Good relationship with employers of our
students
Supporting and meeting the needs of the
community
Joint admissions – EPCC and UTEP
Improved streamlining of student support
services
Excellent Teaching
Credentialed Faculty – 100%
Diverse Programs – Wide array of offerings
Outstanding Health Science Program &
Facilities
Campus Pipeline
Great Population – Employees and Students
Students – adapt to change internally and try
to make the best
Vice President of Research and Development
What must happen to ensure that
we continue doing well and even
improve?
Title V
Increased Presence
36
Become much more proactive in
shaping a positive image of college
in the community
Higher Profile Role
Created positive atmosphere of
cooperation with UTEP-partnerships
& NMSU
Dedicated Employees
Good at doing more with less
UACJ-other institutions in Cd.
Juarez
Do “more” with “less” resources
Seek partnerships with other H.S.
beyond Dual Credit
Hiring more FT instructors (funding
sources)
Promote campus Pipeline-increase
access to evening & work study and
weekend students
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are we doing especially well?
Budget – good at staying within
Access to Professional Development
Activities (tech training)
Wide flexibility in scheduling classes
Outstanding Relationships with External
Organizations/colleges
Enrollment management-monitored daily,
work to accommodate students
Responsive
Longer/better registration
What must happen to ensure that
we continue doing well and even
improve?
Joint efforts between credit and noncredit
Continue funding for previous
maintenance & cleaning & future
growth
Encourage active advisory
committee participation
Improve and update WEB
Improve Cost Effectiveness
(Distance Learning)
Quality Control and Evaluation
Process
Allocate resources for Recruiting and
Marketing of faculty
Optimal Class Sizes
Program Administration Software-Student
Registration, Payroll, Finance, Financial Aid
Top – notch security (Police Dept.)
Beautiful facilities – Accessible/Convenient,
Alternative Delivery Modes
Distance, Powerpacs, Late-start classes
Affordable Tuition
Outreach to Diverse Populations
Dual Credit Program – Headed in right
direction
Have maintained our current EPCC
workforce
Teaching
Collaborate – community, organizations,
schools – high schools
Positive relationship with UTEP/NMSU
Strong Advisory Communities
Occupational Education Programs-can lead to
partnerships/updates in curriculum
Good job of internal information sharing
Accessibility of Campus Facilities and
Classes
Great instruction
Vice President of Research and Development
37
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are we doing
especially well?
Personalized attention
Responsive to community
needs
Good, adequate facilities
Good community
partnerships
Good Recruitment
Affordable tuition
Great Dual Credit Program
Expansive Distant Learning
Services
What must happen to ensure that we continue
doing well and even improve?
Vice President of Research and Development
38
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are we currently doing
poorly?
Marketing – More focus on
working adults, businesses,
Military, College slogan should
address the entire community,
Feature stories in newspaper for
successful programs, Marketing
successes, Proactively shape the
image of the college in the
community
Lacking same level of services at
all campuses
Need additional sensitivity
training for all faculty/staff
No incentive to seek external
funding
Need District-wide marketing
plan
Expand our Customer Services
training for everyone, especially
front-line staff, e.g. – CiCi’s
Pizza, Banks, Walmart
Need to know other
departments/Divisions better
(tie-ins) internally
Direct student contact-calls,
letters, outreach/counseling
Telephone Etiquette
Student and Faculty Mentoring
Develop more structured selfmonitoring process (self
evaluation)
Vice President of Research and Development
What do our
students/customers tell us
we should improve? What
do our employees tell us we
should improve? How?
Additional funding and
market value
Exactly what should
we do to improve
these aspects of our
services?
Priority on Administrative
training
Mandatory on-going training
Training, get advisors
correct program
information
Student Hotline
Information Sharing
Attitude Training
Textbooks – costly
Faculty must keep
posted office hours
Cost, standardization
(district-wide)
Counseling
Access to Information
Customer Services
Faculty Access
Structure Meetings to Produce
Results-Agendas should be
prior to meetings, time limits,
use of available technology
Salary and Benefits
39
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are we currently doing
poorly?
Expand upon ways to save money
for the College-How do we do
this? Can Pipeline save money on
this? Pipeline training
Postage – grades, academic
status; utilizes technology to save
on costs, paper, copies
Welcome/information center or
desk is needed at ASC
Information maps need to be
updated or added
No information desks
What about weekend/evenings
information and services for
students?
Signage near elevators
Signage throughout campuses
Recruitment-word of mouth,
advisory committees, advertising,
Cable TV
Customer Relations/Externally &
Internally
Telling students what books they
need before classes start-either
through divisions/Web
Non-competitive starting salaries
Website
What do our
students/customers tell us
we should improve? What
do our employees tell us we
should improve? How?
Workload Allocation
Exactly what should
we do to improve
these aspects of our
services?
Recognition of Good Work
Eliminate “Dead Weight”
Employees
Technology and poor work
environments
Communication
Dirty Campus at Valle Verde
More funding
Accountability (improve
transfer mechanism)
Implement New Horizon
concepts
Accountability for
Performance
Needs Assessments
Make all Information
accessible
Better Provider Campaign
(in keeping campus clean)
Evening & Weekend Student
Services
Need to improve customer service
Vice President of Research and Development
40
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are we currently doing
poorly?
What do our
students/customers tell us
we should improve? What
do our employees tell us we
should improve? How?
Exactly what should
we do to improve
these aspects of our
services?
Need to improve on Internal
communications
Too many meetings with no
results
Vice President of Research and Development
41
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
Research Trends to
position EPCC
UTEP Tuition Increase
Seek Funding Sources –
Foundation, Private
Sources
Targeted Occupations
(Workforce Regional
Data)
Creation of Alumni
Association
“Packaging” of weekend
courses; not just due to
schedule overloads; market
these
Address trends for
certificates – quick training
Computer training-make
available to companies?
Short, quick, and for a fee,
e.g.-technology camps
Housing Authority –
Potential large student
population. Tenants
receive computers in
apartments through a grant
and have to attend 2
semester of courses of
EPCC in computers via
distance, etc.; can recruit
students at monthly
resident meetings
Monthly resident meetings
Why are they promising? What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
Save Credit Occupational
Programs – Improve
Student Transfer
Increases Completion
Rates
Help meet needs of city
workforce
Major Provider with
multiple service centers
Another target market
Diverse Population
Vice President of Research and Development
42
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Institutional and Community Planning
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
Why are they promising? What should we do to
pursue them and turn
them into things we do
especially well?
Develop an entrepreneurial
dept. to disseminate
information and ideas; like
a “Think Tank”
Internal/Formal
Networking
Better Articulation
Short-Term Certificates
Marketing Occupational
Programs
Population Growth
International Students
Grants
Vice President of Research and Development
43
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Institutional and Community Planning
What competitors are
“knocking” at our doors?
What makes them a real
threat?
Keeping up-to-date with
technology
Funding for Facilities-New
Facilities, Maintain
existing facilities
Decreased funding from
the State
Rapid Growth has hindered
focus/communication
Increased dependence on
PT faculty/staff
Improve Public Image of
College – Retention of
Quality Employees, Keep
Morale up for existing
employees, Better Defining
Elements of Learning
College, Internally and
Externally
Look at offering Health
Insurance to Students
Expand Day Care services
at all campuses-include
child care for older
children
Recreate Women’s Center
to include services for Men
– Health, Wellness, Job
Opportunities, Financial
Counseling, General
Counseling, Child Welfare
Budget Cuts
Continued Decrease in
State Funding
Hiring Freezes
Change
Legislative Changes
Proprietary Schools
Delivery
What should we do to
minimize the risks posed
by these competitors?
Technical Schools
Marketing
University of Phoenix,
Park College
Funding
Updated Technology
Convenience
Vice President of Research and Development
44
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What competitors are
“knocking” at our doors?
What makes them a real
threat?
What should we do to
minimize the risks posed
by these competitors?
Territorialism –
Organization
Concerns/Benefit
Being on the Border
If our work depends upon
others-have well trained
administrators and
administrative assistants
Improve New Employee
Orientation-Have new
Points Administrator and
training sessions even on
such things as forms
Mentoring
Cross-training-what
happens when someone is
out?
Answering phonesimprove this
Program Needs/Reviewwill there be elimination of
jobs?
Tax Cap
Working in a vacuum
sometimes
Lack of Communication
Negative Perceptions in
Community – Currently
much more positive/stable
Treatment by media?
Possible enrollment
declines
Classroom space
Need more work toward
more paperless college
Maintaining contact with
graduates & promote
ourselves
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What competitors are
What makes them a real
“knocking” at our doors? threat?
What should we do to
minimize the risks posed
by these competitors?
Information deliverycheck, grades, student
files, create
efficiencies/create savings
through technology
Security-particularly at
Mission, NW-during shift
changes & cross-training
Find off-campus facilities
to expand course
offerings-partner with
community groups
Maintain satellite facilities
well because they impact
the College’s image
Continue to improve
student retention rate and
new student orientation
Recruitment and Retention
of qualified faculty-full &
part-time
Employ more full-time
faculty
Evaluate hiring 9-month
faculty on 12 mo. Basislook at cost to college –
maintain pool-what are
other colleges doing? –
Cost of benefits
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ASC IE Team
What are we doing especially well?
What must happen to ensure that we
continue doing well and even improve?
Continue marketing strategy
Open lines of communication
Marketing has increased
Expansion of Dual Credit program
Community partnerships
What are some of our
most promising
opportunities?
Orion Project
Partnership w/Canutillo
HS
Technological advances –
Increasing Bandwith
What are we
currently doing
poorly?
Customer service need better service
to students
Training
Why are they promising? What should we do to pursue
them and turn them into
things we do especially well?
Future enrollments
Connecting the community
and facilitate learning
Education more accessible
What do our
students/customers
tell us we should
improve?
Internal
communication
What do our
employees tell us
we should
improve?
What
competitors are
“knocking” at
our doors?
What makes
them real
threat?
What should we
do to minimize
the risks posed
by these
competitors?
University of
Phoenix
Accessible
Improve services
Park College
Efficient
Identify what the
institutions are
doing or offering
that we aren’t
More financial
assistance
Business Colleges Exceptional
customer service
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Exactly what should
we do to improve
these aspects of our
services?
Recommend “How are
we doing?” instrument
in all departments.
What other
forces (e.g.,
social,
demographic,
political,
economic or
technological)
threaten us?
State
government –
budget cuts
Economy
What
should we
do about
these
threats?
Voice our
concerns
Write your
elected
officials
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