ATCC Academic Master Plan

2020-2024

Purpose
Preparation
Plan
Accountability/Assessment

Purpose

The Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) Academic Master Plan (AMP) is a document to guide and plan future academic decisions to ensure that the reputation and academic offerings of the college meet the needs of future students, employers, and the Minnesota State (MinnState) system. The AMP integrates with existing MinnState system and college wide strategic plans and guides all other college plans, including master facility, technology, finance, strategic enrollment management, and department plans.

The AMP:

  • Provides a blueprint for academic planning
  • Guides strategic initiatives for academic improvement
  • Provides a framework for resource allocation
  • Provides a guide for new program development
  • Guides facility and technology planning

 

Related Links:

MinnState System Plan

ATCC Strategic Framework

ATCC Mission, Vision, Values

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Preparation

The Alexandria Technical & Community College AMP has been developed by a college committee that included seven faculty members from divisions across the college, three deans, and the vice president of academic and student affairs. Plan development began fall of 2019 and concluded during summer semester 2020.

The AMP committee used the following questions to guide in the development of the plan:

  1. In terms of academic programming and support, where are we now?
    1. What are the needs of the students currently enrolling?
    2. What is the state of our current academic programs, services, and facilities?
    3. What do we want our students to learn and take with them when they graduate?
  2. What goals do we want to accomplish?
    1. What additional programs will add value to our communities and support/expand industry?
    2. What type of delivery formats will best serve the students and programs?
  3. What will be our competitive advantage in the future?
    1. Where should the college focus recruitment efforts?
    2. How can we continue to appeal to students, and what additional ways are there to attract new students?
    3. How can we best serve our existing students?

This AMP was developed by reviewing the ATCC 2020-2024 strategic framework, performance results, student demographics, advisory committee recommendations, committee member expertise in academic and discipline specific trends, as well as other colleges’ plans. This plan aligned with Minnesota State system direction and legislative initiatives. The planning team recommended that the new AMP be concise and visual.

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Plan

ATCC's AMP initiatives/strategies are organized into three major categories:

The college will:

  • plan for increased alignment of institutional and academic support through the best use of technology, relocation and redesign of physical spaces to enhance the student experience, and improved communications across departments to support student graduation or degree completion.
  • develop a Strategic Enrollment Management plan to establish a roadmap for college practices that supports student recruitment, enrollment, and persistence. The plan will specifically address the need to increase enrollments of non-traditional learners, students of diverse backgrounds, and students of color.
  • work collaboratively with area high schools to expose students to high-demand technical careers.

The college will:

  • continue to support programs of excellence by investment in faculty professional development and program equipment to ensure programs are state of the art.
  • implement ways to incorporate virtual reality and artificial intelligence in teaching and learning.
  • address the increasing mental health needs of students by expanding access to mental health services, including the use of telehealth.
  • embrace technology changes and evolution to ensure students have the most up-to-date skills and experiences in their respective fields.
  • encourage and support faculty to utilize low-cost textbook options for students.
  • construct additional collaborative learning spaces, which are conducive to developing teamwork and problem-solving skills.
  • continue to collaborate with other MinnState colleges in offering shared academic programs.
  • implement a more robust faculty development program to ensure faculty advisors can support student success and foster strong relationships.

The college will:

  • develop new academic programs to meet industry and community needs, including the development of new transfer pathways.
  • utilize and strengthen program advisory committees to review program outcomes, ensuring academic programs are current and meeting industry expectations.
  • leverage assistance from community partners for recruiting new students.
  • expand customized training offerings to meet the technical skills training in demand in the marketplace.
  • promote our students to become lifelong learners.
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