Strategic Planning
Focus Groups
Community Representatives
February 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
Amarillo College 2009FA
Full Time / Part Time
FT
32%
PT
68%
Snapshot of Amarillo College
Amarillo College 2009FA
Age: 24-Under vs. 25-Up
25+
37%
2463%
Snapshot of Amarillo College
Amarillo College 2009FA
Ethnicity
OT
2%
AS
2%
BL
5%
HI
26%
AI
1%
WH
64%
Snapshot of Amarillo College
Amarillo College 2009FA
Gender (Male-Female)
F
60%
M
40%
Snapshot of Amarillo College
Amarillo College 2009FA
Transfer & Technical Majors
Tech
41%
Trans
59%
Snapshot of Amarillo College
Amarillo College 2009FA
Dual Credit Students
DC
19%
No
81%
Snapshot of Amarillo College
Amarillo College 2009FA
At Least One Online
Online
38%
No
62%
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 Assignments
Thursday
Rooms & Facilitators for Focus Groups:
Red Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room - right side
Facilitator: LuLu Cowan
Notetaker/Assistant: Bob Austin
Blue Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room - left side
Facilitator: Ellen Green
Notetaker/Assistant: Jerry Moller
Purple Name Tag Focus Group –move to Mezzanine – outside
room
Facilitator: Damaris Schlong
Notetaker/Assistant: Danita McAnally
Focus Group Assignments
Friday
Rooms & Facilitators for Focus Groups:
Orange Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this
room – left side room
Facilitator: LuLu Cowan
Notetaker/Assistant: Bob Austin
Green Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this
room – right side room
Facilitator: Damaris Schlong
Notetaker/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