Attachment A – Initiative Report Template
Goal Team: Four
Initiative Name:
Prepared by:
Define “collaboration” (as it relates to partnering with the community)
Lauren Grant and Craig Blazejewski
Person(s) consulted in obtaining information about the status of this initiative:
Amy Bosley, Lucy Boudet, Internal Communication Design Team
Summary of progress made on the initiative to date:
1.
Researched Valencia’s use and meaning of the terms: “collaboration;” “collaborative process;” and
“collaborative culture.” We found references to “collaboration,” “collaborative process” and
“collaborative culture.”
Mission
Our mission is to provide opportunities for academic, technical, and life-long learning in a collaborative culture dedicated to inquiry, results, and excellence.
Valencia supports the success of each learner by embracing our values and committing to partnerships with public, civic, and workforce organizations throughout our communities.
The most clear description of the collaborative process was found on the Strategic Plan website, related to the College Planning Council:
College Planning Council http://www.valenciacc.edu/strategicplan/
The College Planning Council (CPC) is one of Valencia’s four governing councils. Among the
Council’s responsibilities are designing and conducting:
1) a collaborative strategic planning process, and
2) a collaborative budgeting process that links the annual budget to the strategic plan.
The CPC is committed to a collaborative process with many opportunities for involvement
of those within the college and in the community that we serve. Throughout the planning cycle, we will schedule big and small group meetings, community meetings, consultations with key constituencies, and discussions by the governing councils and the senior leadership team, all of which combine to enable broad based participation in the various phases of creating, updating, and evaluating the Strategic Plan.
2.
Evaluated Ethnography study provided by the Office of Organizational Development. The
Ethnography is informative for internal audiences.
3.
Drafted initial definitions of “collaboration” and “collaborative culture” for the planning team to respond to:
Collaboration
Collaboration is the act of cordially working with one another in a cooperative manner to generate ideas and accomplish goals that advance employee satisfaction and productivity, resulting in student achievement.
Collaborative Culture
A collaborative culture is the product of our core values, for which we are responsible for developing access to all available resources to meet the needs of our students, colleagues, and the community.

Information about upcoming work on the initiative:
Questions to frame the conversation as it relates to the community:
1.
How do we define a collaborative culture?
2.
How does Valencia practice collaboration?
3.
How does Valencia define “collaboration” relative to: a.
Internal i.
communication sharing ii.
faculty and staff iii.
inter-departmental work b.
External i.
community partners ii.
Foundation donors
4.
How does Valencia communicate/exemplify the meaning of a “collaborative culture” to community partners?
5.
How does a collaborative culture benefit the student?
6.
How does a collaborative culture benefit the community?
Any data or results that can be shared that reveals how those involved with this initiative are gauging the success of the initiative:
Need further research to define affects of a collaborative culture on the community.
Attached: OD Baseline Ethnography-Final Survey Report.pdf – provided by the Office of
Organizational Development
Ethnography Survey Results - See Page 56-59. – Most respondents in the Ethnography survey where either “neutral” or “agreed” with the statements about collaboration. When looking at the numbers, it's actually a bit disappointing. There seems to be a great deal of unrest with our adjuncts, who do a large share of the work for little benefits. It would be nice if we could find a way to include them more, whether it be through more consistent email communications and meetings/possible conference calls scheduled later in the day for those who wish to attend but work a traditional 9-5 job. By giving them more of an opportunity to participate, we are in fact encouraging collaboration that much more.
Quotes from Ethnography:
Collaboration and acceptance from all other departments at Valencia. Great atmosphere of networking and team work.
My work directly impacts our customers and a minute-by-minute basis. I am allowed to participate in college professional development, enrichment (vision & voices), strategic planning and joint program collaboration with CJI and the CJ Technology program, my supervisor- Dr. Jeff Goltz, Dr. Stone & the
Dr. Shugart make me feel like part of the team... or family... whichever it is? My supervisor encouraged me to continue my education and the college gave me a 5% pay additive when I completed my advanced degree. I knew the employees were important when we received a 1.5% raise this year, when the president and board could have easily rationalized no pay raises due to the economy. These are just a few reasons why I feel like a part of Valencia College.
The collaboration with other departments to help students achieve their goals.
I actively attempt to align with the mission, vision, and values of the college as I understand them. I prefer to be proactive and collaborative in all the work that I do. I am intentional about crossing the many strata of the college and partnering with a variety of departments and groups who share common goals.