Strategic Plan

Higher education is facing a new landscape – one characterized by accelerating change, new demographic trends and aggressive competition among colleges and universities. This landscape is one that can best be mapped by new designs for courses and programs and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

In this Strategic Plan, Dakota County Technical College outlines its Design for the Future — a vision that positions the college on a dynamic, challenging landscape.

View the complete 2007-2010 Strategic Plan

Strategic Goals and Performance Measures

Goal 1 - [diversity]

Dakota County Technical College will attract and support more students and employees from diverse backgrounds, by sustaining a welcoming and supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

Related MnSCU Goals:

• Raise Minnesota's participation and achievement in post-secondary education by meeting the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and educational goals. [1.1]
• Work with other organizations to prepare all young people to graduate from high school and enroll in college ready for success. [1.3]
• Reward and support institutions, administrators, faculty and staff for innovations that advance excellence and efficiency. [4.2]
• Hire and develop leaders who will initiate and support innovation throughout the system. [4.4]

Performance Measures:

• Improved retention rates for students.
• Improved success rates for students.
• Achievement of Affirmative Action hiring goals.
• Increased participation in professional development and leadership training by faculty and staff.

Goal 2 - [enrollment]

Dakota County Technical College will expand its role in meeting the educational and training needs of students and businesses at the local, regional and national levels through innovative models of instructional delivery.

Related MnSCU Goals:

• Demonstrate high quality in all educational programs. [2.1]
• Produce graduates who have strong, adaptable and flexible skills. [2.2]
• Provide multiple delivery options for educational programs and student services. [2.3]
• Participate in identifying and meeting regional and statewide economic development priorities. [3.1]

Performance Measures:

• Increased enrollment in online coursework.
• Increased enrollment in customized training courses.
• Increased enrollment by continuing education students aged 25-44.

Goal 3 - [engagement]

Dakota County Technical College will increase for its students and employees to participate in service learning, sustainability, and civic engagement activities at the local, regional, national and global levels.

Related MnSCU Goals:

• Support regional vitality by contributing artistic, cultural and civic assets that attract employees and other residents seeking a high quality of life. [3.2]
• Develop each institution's capacity to be engaged in and add value to its region. [3.3]
• Promote accountability for results through a system of accessible reports to the public and other stakeholders. [4.5]

Performance Measures:

• Increased participation by students and faculty in service learning or other civic engagement activities.
• Increased campus sustainability efforts.
• Increased number of students and faculty involved in educational exchange and traveling scholar programs.
• Increased accountability reporting.

Goal 4 - [teaching and learning]

Dakota County Technical College will enhance its educational and training options in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, for both its traditional students and the incumbent workforce.

Related MnSCU Goals:

• Demonstrate high quality in all educational programs. [2.1]
• Participate in identifying and meeting regional and statewide economic development priorities. [3.1]

Performance Measures:

• Increased enrollment in one or more college level science, technology, engineering or mathematics coursework.
• Increased program offerings in STEM-related fields.

Goal 5 - [financial stewardship]

Dakota County Technical College will reduce its dependency on traditional revenue sources through innovative financial and fundraising strategies.

Related MnSCU Goals:

• Maintain an affordable cost of attendance for Minnesota residents. [1.2]
• Build organizational capacity for change to meet future challenges. [4.1]
• Identify and remove barriers to innovation and responsiveness. [4.3]

Performance Measures:

• Increased student access to and use of College Foundation scholarship funds.
• Increased levels of alumni support.
• Increased levels of faculty and staff participation in institutional grants program aimed at innovations in diversity, sustainability and retention .
• Increased financial support from external funding sources.

2006-2010 MnSCU Strategic Directions

Strategic Direction 1: Increase access and opportunity.

Strategic Direction 2: Promote and measure high-quality learning programs and services.

Strategic Direction 3: Provide programs and services integral to state and regional economic needs.

Strategic Direction 4: Innovate to meet current and future educational needs efficiently.