Goal Team 4 Initiative Reports
March 15, 2010
Goal Team: 4
Initiative Name: Create a strategic communications plan
Prepared by: Susan Kelley
Person(s) consulted in obtaining information about the status of this initiative:
Susan Kelley, Lucy Boudet
Summary of progress made on the initiative to date:
The area of the college that is responsible for marketing and communications has been renamed
Marketing and Strategic Communications. A new Assistant Vice President (Lucy Boudet) was
hired in September 2009, and she and the team are creating a new marketing and strategic
communications plan. The plan will include marketing and branding as well as methods of
communicating with stakeholder groups, including internal stakeholders as well as external. The
plan will include a significant focus on the use of web-based communications tools. Student and
prospective student focus groups are being held this year to better inform this work.
Information about upcoming work on the initiative:
A nationally-recognized consultant has been hired to assist in developing our marketing and
communications strategies that use the web. A major re-design of the web site will take place in
the year ahead.
OIT and Marketing/Strategic Communications teams are working together to update and refine
the processes in which they are each engaged as related to the web site, its design, and its use as
a communications and marketing tool.
Marketing/Strategic Communications staff are also working with Student Affairs staff on
strategies to reach out to prospective students and those who are transitioning into Valencia.
Work is also underway to create a new media web site that will encourage greater coverage of
Valencia’s news.
The plan will include projected measures for the various aspects of this work.
Initiative Report
Goal Team: 4
Initiative Name: Create new resource development plans.
Prepared by: Susan Kelley
Person(s) consulted in obtaining information about the status of this initiative:
Geraldine Gallagher, Liz Gombash
Summary of progress made on the initiative to date:
The Valencia Foundation recently completed a highly successful capital campaign, and is
engaged in a number of activities to build its donor base in an interim period before the next
capital campaign is launched. These activities include the development of “niche donor” giving
and planned giving. The Foundation continues to lead the nation’s community college
foundations in securing funding. Support for faculty endowed chairs, for student scholarships,
and for many of our community engagement activities flow to the college via the Foundation.
The Valencia Office of Resource Development each year creates a plan to pursue grants that
align with the college’s strategic plan and the needs and interests of the various college divisions
and departments. These opportunities are discussed with those who would have responsibility for
the grant-funded activities, and decisions are made about pursuing each grant. The development
of outcomes and measures for the strategic plan taking place in 2010 will help to spur grant
development that will support its execution.
In 2009-10, a special effort has been made regarding the stimulus funding available through the
federal and state agencies. Valencia has applied for funding for a number of green renovation
projects, and we anticipate applying for additional funding that is being made available to
education this spring.
The Office of Resource Development has also worked to strengthen grants management,
ensuring that the college is up to date on the latest regulations, and to clarify the internal grants
development and management processes.
A meeting will be held with Deans in Spring 2010 to review grant opportunities, the grant
development process, and to learn more about the interests and needs of the various departments
of the college.
Goal Team 4 – Initiative Report – Draft pending review by Gaby Hawat
Initiative: Create an economic development strategic plan.
Prepared by: Susan Kelley
Person(s) consulted in obtaining information about the status of this initiative: Gaby
Hawat
Summary of progress made on the initiative to date, and summary of upcoming work:
The President appointed an Executive Dean for Economic Development, Gaby Hawat, who has
been actively working to connect Valencia to significant economic development agendas in our
region and at the national level. A series of industry forums has been launched, starting with a
forum on green industries last fall, and progressing next month to a forum on cyber security. This
series will expand the dialogue and lay a basis for a growing partnership with key sectors and
with specific businesses who need training and educational programs for employees.
Connections are being made with industry and business groups, such as the Chambers of
Commerce and the Economic Development Commission, to explore common goals and needs.
This is resulting in support for funding for Valencia at the state and federal levels in upcoming
budgets. Key support for a state funding initiative for community colleges has been developed
with the Chamber, and both public and private sector organizations have provided support for
requests for earmarked federal funds for Valencia’s green renovations. This work is also
enabling the College to assist in efforts to attract businesses to Central Florida.
Initiative Report
Goal Team: 4 – Partner with the Community
Initiative Name: Substantive review of Valencia Enterprises Strategy
Prepared by: Amy Bosley
Person(s) consulted in obtaining information about the status of this initiative: Joe Battista
Summary of progress made on the initiative to date:
Two preliminary, fact-gathering meetings have been held to date (3/16/2010) resulting in data to
be reviewed regarding Valencia Enterprise performance, position, and strategy.
Information about upcoming work on the initiative:
Meetings will be scheduled to review the data collected in the initial phase and to make
adjustments (if necessary) to the Valencia Enterprise strategy and direction.