Strategic Plan Update

Strategic Planning plays an important role in governing your community college and is a process that’s built in to our organization.

The West Hills Community College District strategic plan outlines our specific intent for the years immediately ahead and helps us focus on maintaining our relentless pursuit of student success.

At West Hills CCD, we take the planning process seriously. It’s how we set and achieve goals. It guides us on the important pathway to success in our constant drive to be the best institution of higher learning we can possibly be. Our planning process includes charting our progress, which helps us understand our success and where were have room to improve.

For a more detailed look at our Strategic Plan, please visit http://westhillscollege.com/district/about/strategic-plans.php

Goal 1 - Promote and increase student success, emphasizing educational planning, basic skills and timely completion.

The district’s revolutionary Reg365 option, which lets students sign up for an entire year of classes at one time, has placed emphasis on the importance of completion-oriented planning rather than the traditional term-to-term view of class registration and enrollment. The colleges emphasize the importance of individual student educational plans and are focused on improving student success and persistence rates, increasing the number of degrees and certificates awarded and the number of students who transfer to 4-year institutions, and shortening the time to completion for each associate’s degree earned.

** Lower is better

Goal 2 - Strengthen the District’s fiscal position by pursuing resource development and increased efficiency while meeting FTES targets.

The district strives for efficiency, constantly monitors its course offerings, and projects FTES and enrollment in order to strike the optimal balance between growth, funding, and student access. WHCCD consistently exceeds its annual targets for Full-Time Equivalent Students (FTES) and continues to focus on improving scheduling efficiency rates and the percentage of students receiving a Pell Grant.

*With one to three years of baseline data now available, 2020 goal will be set in the coming year.

Goal 3 - Maximize access to programs and services throughout the region, focusing on all segments of the adult population.

Access to higher education is critical to the growth of our communities and is a core component of our mission. Increasing the number and percentage of adult learners in our district and service area is a critical area of focus for West Hills. The colleges plan to continue to encourage students to develop education plans, take advantage of Reg365 by enrolling a year in advance, and to enroll in 15 or more units per semester.

*With one to three years of baseline data now available, 2020 goal will be set in the coming year.

Goal 4 - Through the use of technology, increase access to educational programs and services that contribute to student success and strengthen the economic, social, and cultural life of its diverse community.

WHCCD was an early adopter of online education and has seen its online programs grow and improve over the past 20 years. The district uses technology not only to train students in the tools needed in a 21st century workforce, but also as a means of providing wider and better access to higher education to students throughout our service area and beyond.  Both colleges are focused on student success within online course offerings, increasing the number of courses that use Open Educational Resources, closing student equity achievement gaps, and creating new online CTE programs.

*With one to three years of baseline data now available, 2020 goal will be set in the coming year. ** Lower is better

Goal 5 - Increase and coordinate Workforce and Economic Development activities that are designed to meet the needs of employers and improve student employment and success in Career Technical Education programs.

There is an increased focus on Career Technical Education (CTE) and customized workforce training at West Hills Community College District. The district has placed emphasis on CTE degrees and certificates and seeking to increase student completion in this area. In addition to its for-credit course offerings, the district will continue to expand in the area of contract training, providing flexible and timely training opportunities to local businesses and industry.

*With one to three years of baseline data now available, 2020 goal will be set in the coming year. ** Lower is better