Forward and Upward Strategic Plan 2024

FORWARD AND UPWARD STRATEGIC PLAN

cotr.ca

FORWARD We are grounded in a profound commitment to fostering truth and reconciliation, while championing diversity, inclusion, and belonging. By embracing these foundational principles, we honour the richness of our collective experiences and pave the way for a more equitable future for all.

Our actions as a College are also firmly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of improving health and education, reducing inequality and spurring economic growth. With a dedicated focus on sustainability, we’ve woven these global goals within everything we do.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT College of the Rockies serves the communities of the East Kootenays. All of the College’s campuses are located in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa people which is also home to the Kinbasket people. Five First Nations bands are located in the regional boundary of the College, four of which are Ktunaxa and one is Shuswap. Additionally, the College partners with the Métis Nation through its Kootenay Regional Office. We are thankful for all our Indigenous partners and are constantly seeking new ways to support the development of our communities.

AND UPWARD That’s our goal as we mark 50 years in the East Kootenays in 2025.

Our graduates and employees have played important roles in building our communities. Like our students, College of the Rockies is here to excel, grow and reach that highest peak.

Meeting the future needs of our region will require responsiveness and agility.

DEVELOPING OUR STRATEGIC PLAN: CONNECTING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND MAPPING OUR FUTURE

The world of work is changing, and so are the ways we teach and prepare students for success in their work.

The plan to move an institution forward and upward starts with listening to the ideas and aspirations of those we serve – then re-imagining what our future can be.

With this plan College of the Rockies is committing to stay at the forefront of innovation.

Over the past year we’ve had many opportunities to connect, brainstorm, and share perspectives.

We’ve been listening.

We’ve held a Board of Governors Consultation, 11 College Conversations, a College Connect Townhall, 5 Regional Campus face-to-face meetings, one-on-one meetings with community stakeholders, hosted conversations with internal focus groups, surveyed 200 regional employers, and reviewed employee feedback as well as employee engagement and student surveys.

COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSPIRED. SMALL COLLEGE PROUD.

OUR MISSION WE TRANSFORM LIVES AND ENRICH COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE POWER OF EDUCATION.

OUR VISION TO PROVIDE THE BEST SMALL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE IN CANADA.

OUR VALUES STUDENT SUCCESS, RESPECT AND INNOVATION

1

STUDENT SUCCESS

We support students at every step of their education journey.

2 RESPECT We act with integrity and treat others as they would like to be treated.

3 INNOVATION We demonstrate curiosity and creativity, and continuously strive for improvement.

OUR PEAKS Stemming from our Mission, Vision and Values, we are concentrating our future actions in three peaks.

Success will be reflected in what our key stakeholders – students, employees and communities – say about us.

ONE: 1 PEAK STUDENT EXPERIENCE We are student ready. We welcome every student on their personal learning journey, allowing them to grow and excel.

We will • Work with our students to develop a vibrant and healthy campus experience with personalized support.

• Ensure our students have education pathways that take into account prior learning and meet their career aspirations.

• Incorporate work integrated learning opportunities in every program, to prepare our students for the real world of work.

• Equip students for an inter-connected world through a global engagement strategy that is student-centred and aligned with the needs of our communities.

Our students will say: “We belong and will be successful here.”

TWO: 2 PEAK EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

THREE: 3 PEAK COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We are committed to being an employer of choice, within our region and our sector, with a strong focus on health, safety and wellbeing at work.

We are responding to the educational needs of our communities and futureproofing our regional workforce.

We will

We will

• Foster a culture of respect, collaboration, engagement, and celebration at work.

• Champion equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenization and belonging.

• Streamline organizational processes and adapt new technologies to be efficient and innovative in our work.

• Develop our talent through targeted recruitment, seamless onboarding, and ongoing support for professional growth.

• Position College of the Rockies as the number one choice for learners from our region and beyond.

• Strengthen our regional campuses through focused growth plans and active community engagement.

• Link local employers with students to address their labour market demands and provide a work-ready experience.

• Build on our existing relationship with the Ktunaxa Nation, reinforce our Indigenous partnerships, and integrate the principles outlined in the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Our employees will say:

Our communities will say:

“We like working at the College and are proud of the work we do.”

“We can look to the College to provide highly skilled, knowledgeable, and ready-to-work employees.”

ST MARY’S ALPINE PROVINCIAL PARK, BC | GLASS HORIZON PHOTO

NEXT STEPS UP Our Mission, Vision, Values, and Peaks will guide us in all that we do. We will set new milestones for the journey, to monitor our progress and continue sharing the journey with our communities.

This is an exciting time for the College and our Region. Forward and upward!

Photo: Cranbrook

by FieldandForest.co / KootenayRockies.com

ABOUT US For half a century, College of the Rockies has been an educational leader in the East Kootenay region, providing post-secondary education to empower and meet the needs of our citizens and communities.

Annually, more than 10,000 full-time and part-time students participate in a full range of programs, including: skilled trades, university arts & science, adult upgrading, early childhood education, health and human services, business, office administration, tourism, hospitality, recreation, fire services, continuing education, and contract training.

Through smaller class sizes, highly personalized instruction and dedicated support services, our students are primed for success in the job market, or on the next stage of their academic journey.

CRANBROOK

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CRESTON

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FERNIE

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GOLDEN

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INVERMERE Published: 12/2023