(Clarksdale, Mississippi) - Coahoma Community College (CCC) held its annual President’s Strategic Planning Council Retreat on June 20-21, 2024, under the theme “Student Success: Our Top Priority.” The retreat brought together key stakeholders, members from the leadership team and board members, to discuss and strategize on the future of student success at CCC.
The retreat featured a series of keynote presentations and workshops aimed at enhancing strategic planning and institutional effectiveness. Eric Munro, Enterprise Account Executive, presented "Avoiding These 10 Traps for Strategic Plans Success," highlighting common pitfalls such as partial commitment, lack of accountability, and unrealistic goals. Munro emphasized the importance of understanding the environment, involving the right people, and maintaining accountability to achieve strategic goals.
On the second day, Scotty Schell, Senior Strategic Business Advisor, discussed the role of AI and updated technology in higher education. He introduced an app associated with Ellucian, which enables students, faculty, and staff to access various college resources, including scholarships and academic tracking. Schell stated, “As an institution, we’re driving the mission to students.” reinforcing CCC’s commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced student services.
The retreat focused on six strategic priorities designed to propel CCC towards achieving its mission of student success. The first priority is to increase enrollment by 2% annually and improve term-to-term persistence (Fall to Spring) for first-time full-time students by 2% annually.
The second priority is to enhance utilization of tutorial services by 2% annually, expand academic counseling and mental health services by 5% annually, and boost library service usage and student satisfaction rates. The third priority is to adopt emerging instructional technology to offer innovative learning opportunities for students.
The fourth priority is to secure and sustain federal, state, and local funding to support new and existing programs, promote cultural enrichment programs and activities, and address concerns about departmental budget visibility, as noted by Eric Munro. The fifth priority is to strengthen ties with community partners to enhance workforce development initiatives.
Dr. Towner, President of CCC, stressed the importance of financial stability, providing the right support, and maintaining an effective budget for each department. He stated, “Having financial stability, providing the right support, and maintaining an effective budget for each department are essential for our continued success.” The retreat reaffirmed CCC’s commitment to student success through strategic planning and innovative approaches. With actionable priorities and a clear focus, CCC is poised to enhance the educational experience and outcomes for its students.
Coahoma Community College, located in Clarksdale, Mississippi, is dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to its students. CCC offers a range of academic programs and services aimed at fostering student success and community development. For information, visit ibtl.channelmaddie.com.
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