FROM MHCC 2010
TO
Possibilities 2009-2012
“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
As we have listened to our campus and community members, a recurring theme in the many focus groups, listening tours, and personal discussions that form the basis for our strategic planning, has been the concept of “transformation”. Consider briefly the transformation of society since 1999 when Mt. Hood Community College first conceived its ten-year plan. Today’s environment does not invite long term plans. In order to maintain agility and flexibility to adjust to business and industry demands and changing needs of our community, the college is developing strategies for near term timeframes, a three- year perspective. There will be no one moment in time at which the college is “transformed.” Rather, we are building a culture of transformation and refinement, one of continuous improvement that fundamentally addresses the needs of our students and our communities.
►MHCC 2010: a multi-year project that resulted in a ten-year plan for the college (2001)
►Annual review of goals and progress toward goals
►Priorities identified and progress reported annually
►President John (Ski) Sygielski appointed as the 6th president of Mt. Hood Community College (2008)
►President Ski conducts preliminary SCOT analysis prior to arriving (April 2008)
►MHCCD Board directs President Ski to develop a strategic plan for the institution (August 2008)
►President Ski conducts dozens of Listening Tours (July - 2008)
►President Ski hosts a retreat with Administrators and JLC representatives (September 2008)
►College honors the past by reviewing and revising vision, mission, values (September - 2008)
►Executive Committee invited to participate by the President (September 2008)
►Campus appointments to the Executive Committee (September 2008)
►Results of the prior data collection drive the new plan (September – 2008)
“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve"
2 comments:
I applaud long-term planning. This seems wise.
I am told that most Japanese corporations have 50-year, 100-year, and 150-year plans.
As, MHCC has is closing in on 50 years of existence. I recommend even longer range planning.
Greetings, Michael!
By way of your comment, above, I appreciate your interest in our newly formed College planning process, especially since you are an engaged and respected member of the College's Association for Student Government. I also want to thank you for representing the ASG president at our last external community focus group. I hope you found it informative and engaging?
Since MHCC is beginning to include the entire College in its future planning activities, we need to take small steps, at this time in our history, since this may be the first time in many, many years, the College community has worked together to fashion a plan that will enable us to enthusiastically organize ourselves in support of it. Once we conclude our plan and determine the structure that best supports it, we will review our policies and procedures to ensure they assist our students and employees be successful.
Once we have worked this "system" and iron out any "bugs," we can build upon it so that when you are president of this fine institution, you can assist the College community in developing a viable 50, 100 and 200 year plan :)
Since our institution has not conducted a thorough self-examination in some years, Michael, we must focus on "righting our institution" in areas that don't best serve our students, employees and communities. Therefore, we must clearly define (and agree upon as a community) our institution's goals so we know where to concentrate our limited resources for results.
As you may remember from your business class, Peter Drucker wrote, "goals flow from mission, aim the organization where it must go, build on strength, address opportunity, and taken together, outline [our] desired future." In addition to Drucker, you may remember in one of your philosophy classes that the philosopher, St. Augustine once said, "one prays for miracles but works for results." Thus, MHCC's plan must convert our developing hopes and dreams into action.
In closing, Michael, I look forward to working with you to develop a very long-range plan; however, our College needs to do some "basic blocking and tackling" at this time in her history - establish a firm footing - and then eagerly look into the future and create a Mt. Hood that is the most creative, most dynamic, most innovative and most student- and employee-focused learning enterprise in the galaxy! Yes, Michael, the galaxy!
So, I hope I can count on you and other students (and employees) to help the College clearly define her mission, develop no more than five goals, respective objectives and action steps, integrate the budget and plan seamlessly together and finally evaluate it often?
If any of this "novella" makes sense, I am glad. If not, please contact me to discuss it further. You may also contact members of the executive steering committee, too. Members include: Daryle Broadsword, June Jacobs, Wendy Schissel, Nancy Szofran and JoAnn Zahn.
Again, thank you for being so interested in our favorite Community College!
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