El Centro College - Mission, Vision and Goals

Mission

El Centro College: Changing lives through higher education.

Purpose

We provide:

Freshman and sophomore courses in the liberal arts
Workforce education programs leading to Associate Degrees or certificates
Continuing adult education programs for occupational or cultural enrichment
Developmental Education programs designed for students who need additional preparation for college work
Comprehensive student services including ongoing counseling and guidance to assist students in achieving their individual or educational goals
Adult literacy and basic skills programs
A variety of instructional modes to include on-line and distance education
Such other programs and services as may be prescribed by the Texas Coordinating Board, or the DCCCD governing board in the best interest of post-secondary education in Texas

Vision

Recognizing the unique opportunity offered by an urban multicultural college, El Centro will purposefully promote a global perspective, transcultural values and competencies, and responsible citizenship. The college will focus on student success and lifelong learning with an emphasis on systematic assessment of student learning outcomes.

Core Values

In pursuit of our Mission, we value:

Learning

By providing exemplary and innovative instruction, measured student learning outcomes, and personalized student support services
By providing professional development opportunities for all employees

Diversity

By challenging individuals to embrace diversity through broadened concepts of self, and by expanding their views of the world and recognizing their roles in a global society.

Integrity

By insuring equity and fair treatment in all policies, processes and procedures
By valuing academic freedom and respecting the rights and views of each individual; by encouraging an honest, respectful, and continual exchange of views among students, faculty, staff, and administration

Excellence

By creating high standards of performance through the acquisition of new knowledge and a commitment to constant responsiveness to the needs of our community of learners

Communication

By encouraging the individual viewpoints of the college community through collaborative shared governance

Goals

Goal #1: Student Success

Objective 1: To increase success rates in developmental math and first-tier math transfer courses

Objective 1: By September 2015, there will be a minimum of a 5% relative increase in success rates for mathematics courses compared to the Fall 2009 baselines.

Math Courses Success = A, B, C, Cr Grade	Success Rates
Math Courses Success = A, B, C, Cr Grade	Fall 2009 Baseline	2015 Target
Arithmetic–066	54%	59%
Pre-Algebra –090	56%	62%
Elem Algebra –091	52%	57%
Interim. Algebra –093	53%	58%
College Math I – MATH 1332	45%	50%
College Algebra–MATH 1314	53%	58%
Trigonometry – MATH 1316	63%	69%
Business/Econ–MATH 1325	37%	45%
Pre-calculus – MATH 2412	46%	51%
Calculus I – MATH 2513	63%	69%

Objective 2: To increase the success rates in developmental level reading courses

Objective 2: By September 2015, there will be a minimum of 5% relative increase in success rates for developmental reading courses compared to the Fall 2009 baselines.

Developmental Reading Success = A, B, C, Cr Grade	Success Rates
Developmental Reading Success = A, B, C, Cr Grade	Fall 2009 Baseline	2015 Target
Dev. Reading 090	42%	50%
Dev. Reading 091	43%	50%
Dev. Reading 093	32%	40%
Com. Skills in Reading 300	43%	50%

Objective 3: To increase the success rates in developmental level writing courses

Objective 3: By September 2015, there will be a minimum of 10% relative increase in success rates for developmental writing courses compared to the Fall 2009 baselines.

Dev. Writing Courses Success = A, B, C, Cr Grade	Success Rates
Dev. Writing Courses Success = A, B, C, Cr Grade	Fall 2009 Baseline	2015 Target
Dev. Writing 090	18%	36%
Dev. Writing 091	28%	38%

Objective 4: To increase the number of Associate Degrees earned by ECC students

By June 2015, increase the number of Associate Degrees awarded to 530 compared to a 2008-2009 baseline of 481 degrees.

Objective 5: To increase the number of ECC students earning core requirements for transfer

By 2015, increase by 33% the number of students earning core requirements for transfer over the 2008-09 baseline of 124 students. 2015 target = 165 students

Objective 6: To articulate technical transfer degree programs for transfer to four-year institutions

By September 2015, there will be a minimum of 12 articulation pathway agreements signed for transfer of ECC technical degree programs to four-year colleges and universities, compared to a 2010 baseline of zero (0).

Objective 7: To significantly expand and strengthen the personal and academic guidance and mentoring provided to ECC students who are not served by special programs

By September 2015, 60% of all students will be served by case management advising, mentoring, supplemental instruction, summer bridge and/or learning support compared to the 2010 baseline of 11% served by special programs.

Goal #2: Employee Success

We will:

· Equip employees with necessary tools and training

· Encourage professional development through use of existing district and college resources (to be tracked through Colleague)

Goal #3: Economic and Workforce Development

· Increase Continuing Education contact hours by 5% by August 31, 2013

· Increase contract training revenue by 5% by August 31, 2013

Goal #4: Sustainable College & Community Development

Establish benchmarks for recycling by June 1, 2011
Establish benchmarks for energy usage and reduction by June 1, 2011
Increase student participation in service learning by August 31, 2014
Utilize student organizations to expand outreach to community organizations
Survey employees to determine collective community service involvement amongst faculty and staff by October 1, 2011
Improve aesthetics of El Centro College’s campuses by using existing resources and increasing faculty and staff participation to promote a safe, attractive & engaging facility

Goal #5: Streamlined Business & Fiscal Processes

· Analyze annual Control Self-Assessment survey results; internally develop and deliver appropriate professional development to address deficiencies

· Provide regularly scheduled training college-wide on business office procedures

· Fully implement Paperwise throughout the college by September 1, 2012

Goal #6: Organizational & Institutional Effectiveness

· Increase enrollments with an emphasis on distance education

· Ensure equal measurement of student learning outcomes and success factors in all courses, including Distance Education courses

· develop annual division/department growth goals that align with the 2020 Completion Agenda

· Increase emphasis on grant management and compliance through professional development and increased monitoring

· Increase to 100% the number of program and service areas with measurement outcomes identified, including appropriate ¡HOLA! (Honing Outcomes and Learn Assessment) and CIE outcomes.

El Centro College Accreditation

El Centro College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of El Centro College.

The three-fold purpose for publishing the Commission's address and contact numbers is to enable interested constituents (1) to learn about the accreditation status of El Centro College, (2) to file a third-party comment at the time of El Centro College's decennial review, or (3) to file a complaint against El Centro College for alleged non-compliance with a standard or requirement.

The Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence of non-compliance with a requirement or standard.

Normal inquiries about El Centro College, such as Admission requirements, Financial Aid, etc., should be addressed directly to El Centro College and not to the Commission's Office.

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY
Educational opportunities are offered by the Dallas County Community College District without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or gender expression.

El Centro College is recognized and sanctioned by the Coordinating Board of the Texas Higher Education Agency.