2022-2026 Strategic Plan: Aspiring To Be The Best

Priorities, Goals, and Measurable Objectives

The strategic plan priorities and goals were developed with the input of 46 organizations and over 2,000 students, employees, and community members participating in planning committees, forums, surveys, and focus groups. The plan was launched in early 2022 and concludes on June 30, 2026. Progress reports are published here each quarter.

Quarterly Progress Report: Winter 2023

Click on the link below each goal to see how success is measured and our progress. Target and current metrics will be reported in late spring 2023. Unless otherwise noted, the due date for all objectives is the end of the implementation period, 6/30/26.

Priority #1: ACCESS

1. Increase awareness of MCC
View objectives and progress

Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
TBD	Measurable objective(s) in development for goal #1: Raise awareness of MCC	We are identifying the best metrics to measure community awareness of MCC’s programs and services. Share your suggestions at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCCgoals.

2. Meet annual enrollment goals while expanding opportunities for underrepresented populations
View objectives and progress

Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
1.02.01	Increase the number of underrepresented students provided with a donor-funded gas card to support transportation needs in 2022-23	We plan to increase the number of students provided with transportation support. Details will be provided in the next quarterly report.
1.02.02	Meet each semester’s new student enrollment goal (F22 goal: 1,058, actual 972, W23 goal: 333, actual TBD, S23 goal: 180, actual TBD)	Achieved! The winter enrollment goal was exceeded and we were at 91.8% of goal for fall 2022. Visit https://muskegoncc.college-tour.com to see how easy it is to get started at MCC.

3. Increase community engagement
View objectives and progress

Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
TBD	Measurable objective(s) in development for goal #3: Expand community engagement	The Steering Committee is identifying the best metric for measuring community engagement, which may focus on increasing donations for scholarships and other forms of student support. Share your suggestions at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCCgoals.

Priority #2: EQUITY

4. Create an inclusive culture of understanding and respect towards diversity
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Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
TBD	Measurable objective(s) in development for goal #4: Create an inclusive culture of understanding and respect towards diversity	Metrics for measuring our progress in creating a more inclusive and respectful culture are currently under review. Share your suggestions at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCCgoals.

5. Increase student and employee diversity
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Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
2.05.01	Meet each semester’s underrepresented students enrollment goal	Our enrollment representatives collaborate local organizations to build relationships with underrepresented populations. Additionally, the upcoming “See Yourself Here” campaign will help more prospective students envision a path to success.

6. Enhance each student’s experience
View objectives and progress

Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
2.06.01	Close achievement gaps for underrepresented students	MCC’s Student Success Strategy Team engages with Achieving the Dream coaches to improve academic success. Achieving the Dream was founded to close achievement gaps and accelerate student success by guiding community college on implementing innovative, evidence-based initiatives that can produce and sustain improved student success.

Priority #3: EXCELLENCE

7. Improve outcomes for all students
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Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
3.07.01	Increase fall-to-fall retention rates to 55% (up from 49.2%)	MCC’s Student Success Strategy Team is focused on improving retention, which is a leading indicator for academic success. The team includes the Provost, Dean of Student Services, Chief Diversity Officer, and others.
3.07.02	Increase the percentage of attempted college-level credits completed with a grade of “C” or better to 73% (up from 67.6%)	Our Student Success Strategy Team is working closely with faculty and student services to ensure all students have the support needed to achieve the grades needed to meet their academic goals. Learn more about MCC’s variety of support services at www.muskegoncc.edu/student-success.
3.07.03	Increase the percentage of students who successfully complete a gateway English and math course by the end of their first year to 28% (up from 19.3%)	Successful completion of a student’s first English and math course provides a strong foundation for continued academic success, therefore the Student Success Strategy Team collaborates closely with Tutoring Services, the Care Team, and faculty members to monitor and improve their progress.

8. Improve institutional effectiveness
View objectives and progress

Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
3.08.01	Complete 1 evaluation of the budgeting process to ensure it is driven by student success and present procedural recommendations to Cabinet by June 30, 2023	We are reviewing best practices from the Higher Learning Commission and Achieving the Dream to ensure our budgeting process is driven by our student success goals. We expect this objective to be achieved by the due date. More details will follow next quarter.

9. Provide exceptional environments for effective teaching and learning
View objectives and progress

Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
TBD	Measurable objective(s) in development for goal #9: Provide exceptional environments for effective teaching and learning	We are identifying the best metrics for measuring our progress in providing exceptional environments for effective teaching and learning. Share your suggestions at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCCgoals.

10. Increase transfer and career success of graduates
View objectives and progress

Obj #	Objective	Quarterly Report Progress Notes: Winter 2023
TBD	Measurable objective(s) in development for goal #10: Increase transfer and career success of graduates	The Steering Committee is working with the Student Success Department to identify the best metrics for measuring our progress towards increasing the transfer and career success of graduates. Share your suggestions at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCCgoals.

Unless otherwise indicated: baseline/starting metrics are as of the 1/1/22 launch and the due date to attain target metrics is when the plan concludes on 6/30/2026.

Do these goals meet student and community needs? How would you measure success? Provide your input at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCCgoals.

MCC Integrated Planning Steering Committee

Student Success Strategy Team Leaders:

Dr. Patti D’Avignon, Dean of Student Services and Jon Meeuwenberg, College Success Center Faculty

Goal Team Leaders:

Access Goals: Kristin Tank, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and Stephanie Briggs, Director of Admissions

Equity Goals: Ken James, Chief Diversity Officer and Jason Cooper, Director of Compliance & Title IX Coordinator

Excellence Goals: Dr. Ed Breitenbach, Dean of Assessment and Instruction and Dr. Patti D’Avignon, Dean of Student Services

Integrated Planning Consultant: Dr. Nicholas Santilli, Senior Director for Learning Strategy, The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)

How the Strategic Plan was Developed

Throughout 2021, Muskegon Community College engaged campus and community members in a process to develop the Muskegon Community College 2022-2026 strategic plan. Under the direction of the MCC Integrated Planning Steering Committee, 150 Students, community stakeholders, and employees met July through October 2021 to identify priorities and goals for the new plan. In addition, all community members, students, employees, and other stakeholders were invited to provide input via town hall meetings, forums, and surveys. Overall, 46 organizations and 2,354 people participated in the process.

The collaborations produced a new 54-month strategic plan that builds on student success accomplishments and aims to position Muskegon Community College as the best community college in the nation. The comprehensive and inclusive planning process led to three priorities and ten goals, which were endorsed by the MCC Board of Trustees in March 2022. Everyone is welcome to provide feedback on the strategic plan at any time during the 4.5-year implementation period at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MCCgoals.

MCC’s Integrated Planning Process

The 54-month plan commenced in spring 2022 and concludes June 30, 2026. Our aim is to increase enrollment among under-represented groups and meet the criteria for the top student success awards from the leading student success organizations, the Achieving the Dream Leah Meyer Austin Award, Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction, and the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. These prestigious awards are based on student success data related to equity, access, retention/completion, graduation rates, and post-graduate success. Additional information about the planning process is outlined in the MCC Integrated Planning Charter.

The planning process followed the Appreciative Inquiry model, which is a strengths-based approach. Collaborative discussions with the 150 students, community members, and employees serving on five committees resulted in the following conclusions:

What we do well:

Provide exceptional value for a high-quality education
Offer outstanding support to students
Provide a wide array of community services and events

What we value:

The success of our students
Providing a welcoming environment
Community collaborations
Teaching and learning
Talent, expertise, commitment, and dedication of faculty and staff

What we hope for the future:

Increase access and enrollment
Improve diversity, equity, and inclusion
Expand collaborations
Provide an exceptional environment for teaching and learning

Community-Wide Academic Needs Assessment

As part of Muskegon Community College’s strategic planning process, we encouraged input from the community about what programs, courses, and other educational opportunities are needed. We worked with a variety of partners to get input from current/recent high school students, current/recent MCC students, business/industry, alumni, and all community members in May-August 2021.

Review the results of our 2021 Community Needs Assessment

Contact Dr. Edward Breitenbach, Dean of Instruction and Assessment, at edward.breitenbach@muskegoncc.edu with questions.

Keep Informed

Please follow us on the MCC Facebook for community members and/or subscribe to our newsletter, MCC News Digest, to keep informed of our progress.

Tina Dee
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Room 2109H
(231) 777-0660
tina.dee@muskegoncc.edu

Priority	Goals
	1. Increase awareness of MCC 2. Meet annual enrollment goals while expanding opportunities for underrepresented populations View measurable objectives (objective related to increase donor-funded resources, beyond tuition, for underrepresented populations under development) Meet each semester’s new student enrollment goals 3. Increase community engagement
	4. Create an inclusive culture of understanding and respect towards diversity 5. Increase student and employee diversity View measurable objectives Increase enrollment of underrepresented students 6. Enhance each student’s experience View measurable objectives Close achievement gaps for underrepresented students by the Fall 2025 cohort
	7. Improve outcomes for all students View measurable objectives Increase fall-to-fall retention rates from 49.2% in the 2020 cohort to 55% in the 2025 cohort Increase the percentage of attempted college-level credits completed with a C or better from 67.6% in Fall 2021 to 73% in Fall 2025 Increase the percentage of students who successfully complete a gateway English and Math course by the end of their first year from 19.3% in Fall 2021 to 28% in Fall 2025 8. Improve institutional effectiveness View measurable objectives Complete 1 evaluation of the budgeting process to ensure it is driven by student success and present procedural recommendations to Cabinet by March 31, 2023 9. Provide exceptional environments for effective teaching and learning 10. Increase transfer and career success of graduates