KC Board approves three-year strategic plan for college

After a yearlong process involving input from community members, business leaders, local educators, government officials, students, faculty and staff at Kaskaskia College, and many others, KC Board of Trustees on Monday approved a dynamic three-year strategic plan that will guide the college into the future.
The plan focuses on four institutional goals: providing a quality educational experience; effectively managing enrollment and resources; maximizing regional integration; and engaging the community. 
“Kaskaskia College has long provided quality education to the residents of South Central Illinois, whether they are first-time college students planning to transfer to four-year colleges, students pursuing career or technical training for employment or career advancement, or individuals interested in personal enrichment,” KC President George Evans said.
“As the educational opportunities and needs have changed, the college must continue to review our mission and purpose to address the changing needs of our students and the community,” Evans said.
“This plan offers a renewed commitment to accessibility, as well as a fresh focus on student achievement and success,” he said.
As part of its four goals, the new plan has also set forth six strategic priorities: revitalizing technology; ensuring shared governance and collaborative process to improve communication across all divisions of the college; improving student retention and success; increasing targeted recruitment efforts; improving operational efficiency; and investing in the college’s employees through human capital development.  
The 2020-23 strategic plan is the result of a year of research, study and analysis by the college community, as well as feedback from a number of constituencies.
These included K-12 partners; government officials; non-profit agencies and other service providers; business and community leaders and other members of the general public.
In addition, members of the KC community – including faculty, administrators and staff, board members and students – were provided opportunities to provide their input.
The strategic planning process enabled the college to identify its major challenges and opportunities, and to develop strategies to better serve its students and the community at large.
The board also approved on Monday the college’s 2020-2035 Master Facilities and Improvement Plan.
The plan will provide a roadmap for future facility improvements and development in order to support the goals and strategies outlined in the College’s strategic plan.
The Master Facility and Improvement plan provides guidance for improvement, renovation, and replacement projects that ensures KC is meeting the needs of students today and into the future. 
Starting last winter, a Master Facilities and Improvement Plan Committee worked on the plan, utilizing an infrastructure survey and receiving feedback from more than 130 college employees and students. 
For the first time in its history, the board conducted its meeting remotely online in response to the pandemic and Governor Pritzker’s recent shelter order.
Monday was also the first day of the second half of the spring semester, as students began instruction remotely and online due to the pandemic.
This style of instruction will continue through the spring semester.
Kaskaskia College’s main campus and education centers are closed to the public, with only essential staff allowed in the buildings during this time. 
All services have been moved to online, including advising and registration. Visit the college website, https://www.kaskaskia.edu/covid19/, for all updates on the college regarding the COVID-19 virus.