2009 Performance Accountability Report Vol. 2 - Maryland Higher ...

Summary of Institutional Mission Statement
Allegany College of Maryland
I. MISSION
Allegany College of Maryland is a lifelong learning community dedicated to excellence in
education and responsive to the changing needs of the communities we serve.
Aspiration Goals
Allegany College of Maryland visualizes an institution of higher education that is respected for its
overall quality, its faculty and staff, its caring attitude, its physical environment, and its
outstanding services to its students and community.
II. INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT
Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) experienced an increase in credit enrollment for fall 2008
to 3,945 students. The Continuing Education non-duplicated headcount remained above the
benchmark at 8,716 students for fiscal year 2008. The College projects continued growth in credit
and non-credit enrollment over the next year.
Credit students at ACM are mostly traditional, female (65%), Caucasian (90%), and enroll in
classes on a full-time basis (53%). Slightly less than half are Maryland (47%) residents.
However, if present trends continue, the College should attract an even higher proportion of
young, female, minority, and out-of-state students from its tri-state service region. These changes
will be driven by College marketing strategies as well as regional economics and demographics.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the economies and populations of Allegany and
neighboring counties in West Virginia and Pennsylvania will grow only slowly during the next
few years. This slow growth means that the College must market itself regionally to maintain the
critical mass required to sustain programs.
The College will continue to offer competitive programs for transfer to institutions in Maryland
and elsewhere. However, the bulk of new growth is expected in career programs targeted on
emerging industrial sectors and “green” careers, including technology, telecommunications,
criminal justice, travel and tourism, and allied health programs. ACM has created an A/B term
within the traditional semester that will begin in the fall 2009. The condensed format is two
seven week sessions during the fall and spring and two four week summer sessions. The option
allows for more flexibility for students scheduling and will help to attract and better serve nontraditional
students in the community.
The College serves as an important catalyst for regional economic development. This role will be
reinforced as construction of a new Western Maryland Health System hospital across from the
College is completed in fall 2009 . As part of this project, the Allegany County Health
Department was relocated to a newer, refurbished facility in the former Kelly Springfield
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