We evaluate our institutional effectiveness by envisioning our goals, defining measurable objectives, and employing student-centered strategies.
Goals
Our goals are visionary and define what we do to accomplish our mission.
Academic Transfer
We prepare students for successful transfer to the next step of their educational journey.
Adult Basic Education
We prepare students for college-level courses by guiding, supporting, and providing the tools necessary to achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals.
Career and Technical Education
We prepare students to enter the workforce in a timely manner; supporting our community needs in available and sustainable careers with a focus on future industries.
Student Success
We provide the services and resources needed for our students to be successful.
Objectives
Our objectives are detailed and measurable ways of helping us determine if we are meeting our goals.
Objective 1: Increasing Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) Transitions
By June 30, 2025, increase the number of BEdA students transitioning into workforce or transfer programs within one year from start from 14% (2019-20 cohort) to 28%.
Check our progress on our Basic Skills to College Transitions Dashboard.
Objective 2: Improving Student Completions
By June 30, 2025, increase the number of full-time students completing their program of study within 150% of time from 31.8% (2018-19 cohort) to 42%.
Check our progress on our Retention and Completion Rates Dashboard.
Objective 3: Closing Equity Gaps
Each year, continue closing equity gaps for Female students, Historically Underserved Minority students, Disability Access Services students, Pell Eligible students, and First Generation Students in all Student Achievement Initiative (SAI)-related metrics.
Check our progress on our Spokane Community College Equity Suite.
Strategies
Our strategies are based upon the Washington Student Success Center's Guided Pathways initiative. There are four "pillars" that make up Guided Pathways. Within each pillar, there are specific Guided Pathway strategies.
Clarify the Paths
Programs are clearly mapped with sequenced courses, highlighting courses critical to success and “co-curricular” requirements with clear milestones. Each program has detailed information on employment opportunities and transfer requirements for related bachelor's programs.
Strategies that help Clarify the Paths:
- Degree Math and English within One Year
- Math Pathways
- Program Maps
- Scheduling
Help Students Get on a Path
Upon entry students are shown all career and program options in their area of study or broader “meta-major” and are provided guidance to develop an individual educational plan. Courses are redesigned and supports are provided for students to complete college-level math and English courses for their intended field of study, ideally within their first year.
Strategies that Help Students get on a Path:
- Intake
- Placement
- Structured Exploratory Experiences
Help Students Stay on a Path
Through intentional advising, student progress is closely monitored to keep them on their path, assist if they want to choose another path, and intervene if they go off the path. Students are provided information to easily understand their progress and the next steps to complete their program. Assistance is provided to students who are unlikely to be accepted into limited-access programs to redirect them towards a more viable path of credentials and a career.
Strategies that Help Students Stay on a Path:
- Educational Planning
- Engaging Students in Support of Completion
- Predictive Courses
- Progress Monitoring
Ensure Students are Learning
Program learning outcomes align with requirements for future success in education and employment. Faculty use learning outcome assessments to improve the effectiveness of their instruction. Attention is focused on collaborative, active learning that is relevant to the student's field of interest, including in and out of classroom learning, such as internships and service.
Strategies that Help Ensure Students are Learning:
- Classroom Environment & Course Design
- Outcomes Alignment
Putting Ideas Into Action
Whether the ideas are part of our Guided Pathways work, our efforts improving Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, or other student-focused initiatives, Spokane Community College is dedicated to taking the best ideas and putting them into practice for long-term, sustainable improvements.
We organize our efforts into common functions that affect the student experience:
- First Year Math and English
- Math Pathways
- Program Maps
- Scheduling
- Intake
- Placement
- Structured Exploratory Experiences
- Educational Planning
- Engaging Students in Support of Completion
- Predictive Courses
- Progress Monitoring