LCCC Trustees approve strategy

Five-year strategic plan aims to educate, graduate 10,000 by 2025

The Lorain County Community College District Board of Trustees adopted the College’s new five-year strategic plan on April 18 with the bold goal of 10,000 individuals earning a degree or certificate by 2025. The plan outlines five key focus areas that will enable the College to reach this goal: • Student Focused – expand participation • Success Focused – increase completion and academic success • Future Focused – Foster future success • Work Focused – Improve economic competitiveness • Community Focused – Enhance quality of life. Trustees voted unanimously in favor of adopting the plan that aims to move the College into the future in preparing students and Lorain County for the future. “We are in a talent-driven economy,” said LCCC President Marcia Ballinger. “With 65 percent of all jobs by the year 2025 requiring education beyond high school, raising educational

attainment is critical for individuals and for companies in our community. “Higher education and training provide individuals with greater opportunities to access and succeed in jobs with higher wages. Additionally, employers are clamoring for skilled talent to grow their businesses. This plan addresses both of these in a big way.” Ballinger added we are in the midst of an economic and technological transition compared to the revolution which stemmed from the invention of the printing press. By 2030, 85 percent that exist have yet to be invented. The pillars of the plan address ways to increase the economic mobility and financial security of students while contributing to a more vibrant Lorain County. “We’re looking at it through an even more specific lens as it relates to the outcomes and the impact: Making Lorain County a talent destination by increasing educational attainment that outpaces our region and fuels the economy,” she added. “That is what our students have put forward as a goal. Providing our businesses and industries with the work ready talent that you all need today.” The College’s strategic planning process officially launched in fall 2017 at the District Board of Trustees meeting held at El Centro in Lorain. That meeting kicked off a comprehensive community engagement process that was designed to determine the best path forward for the college and the community. Over the course of nine months, more than 1,700 individuals participated in 80 listening and learning sessions and offered critical input regarding the current state of the college and the community and generated ideas as to how to achieve a successful future. Focus Areas To deliver on the 10,000 goal, LCCC’s first area of focus is on students both direct from high school and working age adults. Over 80,000 working age adults (25-64) in Lorain County have only a high school diploma or some college/no credential. To meet the talent needs of the economy and help adults access and succeed in new in-demand jobs and industries such as information technology, biomedical, advanced manufacturing and the creative economy, the plan calls for developing new short-term and degree programs that are aligned to the changing economy in a way that meets the complex lives of working age adults. This includes greater accessibility through online offerings, expanding time and place delivery, expanding career and job placement services and more. Additionally, the College plans to expand the success of its College Credit Plus program as a way to prepare the next generation and reduce college debt. In 2018, 43 percent of all high school graduates earned college credit before completing high school, saving families $5.5 million in college costs with guaranteed transfers for courses to LCCC and other Ohio public colleges and universities. The plan calls for working with K-12 partners to expand this program and help students succeed on clear college and career paths after high school graduation. “Achieving these 10,000 Degrees of Impact is critical to the success of our region,” said Ben Fligner, chairman of the LCCC District Board of Trustees. “Ten thousand degrees is an ambitious goal, and I believe we can help our residents achieve these degrees and credentials by providing the support needed to address common barriers people face when pursuing higher education. The adoption of the strategic plan follows a declaration made by the Lorain County Commissioners earlier this month when they announced April will be forever recognized as “Lorain County Community College Month” in Lorain County as a way to localize the celebration of National Community College Month and highlight the important contributions LCCC makes to the community and the region. Additionally, other communities across Lorain County are also participating in the celebration with proclamations of support from 11 other communities.