Strategic Planning—SWOT/C Analysis
October 17, 2008
In each main section, subsections identified by the group are followed by specific instances.
STRENGTHS
1) Programs
Top hospitality program
Diverse programs
Range
CAPE faculty opportunities
HVACR program
Specialized programs
Computing lab and wireless access
Access
Automotive program
Partnership/internship programs
DE courses
Applied science programs
Support of hospitality community
Premier provider of healthcare professionals
LETA
BS Dental Science
Vet program
Federal grants for programs
2)Population
Faculty expertise in teaching
Talented faculty
Great supportive administration
Level of interaction between student and faculty
Motivated students
Well known
Mature students
Supportive faculty
David Waterhouse and active student govt.
Diverse
Culinary
Strong student organization
Open to future opportunities
Diverse population
International population
Dual credit HS students
Quick response to community needs
Great library and staff
Foundation
We work cheap/low salaries/more done for less
3) Facilities
Smart classrooms
Multi campus
Multiple locations
Free parking
Stable
Accessible
Affordable
Xeriscape
Small class size/small classes
Leader in digital signage
Relationship with minority communities
Computer centers
Henderson campus to cover east valley
New library
4) Community Services
New facilities
Supplies workforce to community
Planetarium
Affordable entertainment
Gym for faculty and students
Theater in the community
Accredited daycare on campus
KNPR
Health services
Russells
Campus security
Massage school
Great baseball team
WEAKNESSES
1) Funding
Power is in the North part of state
Too dependent on state resources
Faculty salaries—low vs average
Lack of funding
Have not effectively convinced state of our value
Private colleges are better funded
Lack of stable funding
Lack of diversity in funding
Adherence to outdated funding formula
2) Keeping up with Change
“leadfeet”—rapid change is hard
Difficulties in changing quickly to meet changing demands
Keeping all informed continuously
Fast growth
3) Organizational/staffing issues
Frequently changing administration
FTE-false measurement (pt v ft)
Inadequate staffing
Training for all
Low morale
Aging faculty
We are divided (?)
Multicultural awareness
4a) Student Services
Inconsistent student advising
Retention and leaving community
Counseling: overwhelmed, too many changes to keep up, too many students
Transferability of course to instate institutions
Student outreach bookstore
4b) Student Concerns
Large need for remedial classes
Weak or non-existent articulation agreements with other institutions
Graduation rate
5) Technology
Keeping up with technology
Outdated data information resource
Few ‘smart classrooms’
Older equipment/technology
6) Facilities
Lack of security features in classrooms
Tri-campus vs. single campus
Older facilities
Parking
Campus security
7) Marketing
Lack of effective marketing
Ineffective marketing strategies
Weak alumni loyalty
8) Community engagement
Have hard time engaging community
9) Teaching methods
Traditional lectures v active learning
OPPORTUNITIES
1) Growth in Community Impact
Green awareness
Increase in future workforce demand (in general)
Community recognition for workforce we provide
Establish career awareness and career pathways
Large number of people needing higher ed
Further develop HS to CSN programs
Multiple partnerships (and increasing)
CSN older students –larger population base
Training will be needed for green industry
Increased collaboration with community partners
Tap into international market
Growth of hospitality industry
2) Economy
Economic downturn leads to increased demand for retraining/enrollment..leads to increased funding
Casino recognition
Decreased Foundation money (fundraising)
Budget crisis leads to newly focused spotlight on improving education in NV
Diversity of revenue streams
New donation funding sources
The next US president may support higher ed
New business in NV
New strategies targeting donors
3) Teaching and Curriculum
Diversity of staff and faculty
32% of Clark County residents don’t have any college education
Student faculty contact
Infuse new teaching methodologies: active learning, scenario based learning, problem based learning
Common course numbering across state
Increased collaboration among programs and institutions
Faculty counseling students
Migration of student information –ERP
DE providing more opportunities
4) Internal Benefits
Parking unpaid, covered
A working lab for students
Expansion of daycare on all campuses
THREATS/CHALLENGES
1) Lack of stable funding and legislative support
Term limits
Lack of industries in NV
Capped enrollment
Understaffed
Campus capital improvement equity
Cuts in services
Foreclosures and credit issues
Weak economy
Closing outreach centers
Rising gas prices
Industry layoffs
Private and business funding
The cost of technology
BOR support for Higher ed priorities
Lack of legislative support and awareness
North has higher funding, south has lower funding
Funding
2) transition from HS to college
K-12 teaching
Poor prep of students
Bridge between K-12 and CSN
Providing dual-enrollment
Remedial math and English
3) Inability to acquire and effectively utilize current technology
Changing technology
Green technology
4) Public Perception
Media view of CSN
Development of learning communities
Community isolation
Community lack of value for higher ed
Community image
Not a clear sense of community/commitment of residents of LV
Frequent scandals
5)Awareness of population shifts
Changing face of population
Non English speaking community
Population growth
Awareness of opportunities to minorities
Growing demand, decreasing supply of higher ed
6) Competitive institutions
Overshadowed by universities
Other schools eat our lunch (ATT, DeVry, etc.)