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WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

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Criterion Two: Preparing for the Future<br />

The organization’s allocation of resources and its processes for evaluation<br />

and planning demonstrate its capacity to fulfill its mission, improve the<br />

quality of its education, and respond to future challenges and<br />

opportunities.<br />

The mission of <strong>Western</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Community</strong> College (<strong>WNCC</strong>) has always focused on providing<br />

quality education and support services to a diverse student population. During recent years, <strong>WNCC</strong><br />

has witnessed many changes that directly impact higher education. Among these are the<br />

continued evolution of the Internet and electronic media and the emergence of the global economy.<br />

The recent economic downturn has put additional pressure on institutions of higher education to<br />

continue to deliver quality educational programs while relying upon diminishing financial resources.<br />

The College must ensure the institution adapts appropriately to these and future challenges.<br />

Core Component 2a: The organization realistically prepares for a future<br />

shaped by multiple societal and economic trends.<br />

The institution monitors cultural, academic, and economic trends in a variety of ways, both<br />

systematically and informally, such as understanding regional impact through the Educational<br />

Modeling Specialist Incorporated (EMSI) report (formerly CC benefits), as well as using the job<br />

prospect function of that system to survey the potential for graduate employment when considering<br />

program creation or modifications. <strong>WNCC</strong> continues to use results from numerous reports and<br />

studies to acquire information regarding the current environment in which the College serves. In<br />

the summer of 2009, <strong>WNCC</strong> authorized a socio-economic impact study (conducted by Clarus<br />

Corporation) in order to begin the revised <strong>2010</strong> strategic planning process. A study of institutional<br />

efficiency by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems has also begun.<br />

Planning the future by heeding national trends, employees of <strong>WNCC</strong> participate in the P-16<br />

Initiative designed to create better transitions from high school to college, as well as regional<br />

conferences such as a recent one on wind energy relating to a proposed project in Banner County<br />

(immediately south adjacent to Scotts Bluff County). <strong>WNCC</strong> administers Carl D. Perkins funds and<br />

belongs to the <strong>Nebraska</strong> consortium called Partners for Innovation, a state-wide educational<br />

leadership and development group funded by individual associations dedicating 10% of its Perkins<br />

funds. The high school academies and various projects for curricular alignment with high schools<br />

arise from this group.<br />

Strategic Planning<br />

Strategic plans have been updated for major areas of the College such as educational, student,<br />

and outreach services, as well as IT; these plans guide individual units for the next 2-3 years and<br />

will serve partially as a basis for <strong>WNCC</strong>’s overall strategic plan when a new one is created.<br />

In response to student demand and information gained from studies and surveys like the<br />

Educational Modeling Specialist Incorporated (EMSI) reports, <strong>WNCC</strong> has implemented many<br />

changes in both facilities and programs since the last self-study, as was described in an earlier<br />

<strong>Western</strong> <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Community</strong> College Page 67

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