Strategic Planning Focus Groups
Community RepresentativesFebruary 4 and 5, 2010
Region XVI Service Center
Snapshot of Amarillo College
Enrollment (Unduplicated Headcount)
FALL 2009 Enrollment (CREDIT):11,100
FALL 2009 Enrollment (CE):10,324
Strategic Planning Steps to Date
Emailed Surveys to:– Community Representatives (only 13
replied - focus groups added to survey)
– Current Credit Students (173 replied)– Current Continuing Education (CE)
Students – (60 replied)– Employees (141 replied)– Board of Regents
Summary from Strategic Planning Surveys
Students value:• AC’s affordability & low-costs• Convenience
Employees, Board & Comm. Reps. value:• Quality• Opportunity for all• AC’s affordability & low-costs
Summary from Strategic Planning Surveys
Students DESIRE that AC:• Remain people-focused• Maintain small student-to-faculty class size• Offer more online courses• More and improved technology
– Provide more computers, more labs, more access– Improve classroom technology– Provide larger email accounts– Provide wireless access
• Keep up-to-date programs & courses• Add programs:
– Credit – CIS within Biotechnology & Nanotechnology; Solar – CE – Cooking classes; Nuclear Medicine & Phys. Asst.
professional development courses
Summary from Strategic Planning Surveys
Employees, Board of Regents & Community Reps, DESIRE that AC:
• Expand – locations & programs• Keep tuition and fees affordable & remain
financially strong• Increased technology including online
courses; wireless & WiFi access; classroom technology
• Add & update equipment and buildings for degree programs
• Increase parking or provide transportation
Summary from Strategic Planning Surveys
Employees, Board of Regents & Community Reps, DESIRE that AC:
• Increase access for student services especially advising
• Expand diversity• Add sports• Continue to make AC accessible to all• Become more focused on training for workforce/jobs • Accelerate those programs that are already
successful• Provide seamless transition from high school to
college• Raise more money through donations
7 Questions for the Focus Group Session:
1.Which perceptions come to your mind when you think of Amarillo College?
2.If AC did not exist, how would your company or organization be different?
3. What is AC doing well?
4. How can AC improve?
7 Questions for the Focus Group Session:
5. If AC had unlimited resources, what would you recommend AC do within the next five years?
6. Given the economic downturn and budget constraints, how can AC remain financially strong while meeting the needs of our community?
7. What have we left out?
Focus Group AssignmentsThursday
Rooms & Facilitators for Focus Groups:
Red Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room - right sideFacilitator: LuLu CowanNotetaker/Assistant: Bob Austin
Blue Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room - left sideFacilitator: Ellen GreenNotetaker/Assistant: Jerry Moller
Purple Name Tag Focus Group –move to Mezzanine – outside room
Facilitator: Damaris SchlongNotetaker/Assistant: Danita McAnally
Focus Group AssignmentsFriday
Rooms & Facilitators for Focus Groups:
Orange Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room – left side room
Facilitator: LuLu CowanNotetaker/Assistant: Bob Austin
Green Name Tag Focus Group – remain in this room – right side room
Facilitator: Damaris SchlongNotetaker/Assistant: Danita McAnally
What happens as a result of today’s discussion?
All information gathered will be used by AC in developing the new strategic plan for the next 5 years.
Strategic Plan Development
May or June: Strategic Plan recommended to Amarillo College Board
August to September: Distribution of AC’s new Strategic Plan to our community and college