ICC Strategic Plan Update - Year Three

Strategic Plan Update

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees members are elected by the Montgomery County voters within the college taxing district as authorized by Kansas Statutes.

Chair

Dr. Cynthia Sherwood, DDS Trustees

Kevin Brannum Valerie DeFever

John Eubanks

Jeri Hammerschmidt

ICC Executive Leadership President Dr. Vincent Bowhay

Executive Assistant & Board Clerk Cherie Stockton

Vice President of Academic Affairs Taylor Crawshaw

Vice President of Administration & Finance Dr. Jonathan Sadhoo

Vice President of Human Resources Lori Boots

Vice President of Student Affairs

David Adams

Chief Marketing Officer Kris Ferguson

Executive Director of ICC Foundation Bryce Saia

Mission

Our mission statement, “Independence Community College serves the best interests of students and the community by providing academic excellence while promoting cultural enrichment and economic development” shows that ICC is a student and communitycentered institution.

The mission statement guides our college’s decisions and actions. We work to help our students realize a college education as a transformative experience in their professional and personal lives and for the betterment of the Independence community. To those ends, the aim of our strategic plan is to reinforce ICC’s mission by enhancing learning environments, strengthening existing programs, and creating new initiatives so that our college can better support and serve our students, our community, and our state.

Vision

Vision entails the ability to both look and plan forward—to recognize what is now, to see what is immediately ahead, and to create what will become the future.

Our vision statement is our commitment to inspiration: To be a community college that provides an exceptional educational experience by cultivating intellect, encouraging creativity, and enhancing character in a student and community centered environment.

Core Values

Core values are unwavering principles that guide an organization’s internal conduct as well as its relationship with the outside world. These values declare what is held sacred

Integrity: ICC holds its employees and students accountable to be honest, ethical, and transparent.

Excellence: ICC demonstrates continuous quality improvement in academics and services offered to students and other stakeholders.

Responsiveness: ICC looks to the future by responding to the emerging needs of its stakeholders.

Diversity/Enrichment: ICC provides an environment that values uniqueness while promoting personal growth through creativity and innovation.

Commitment: ICC commits to making decisions that best serve its students and community.

Purpose

In striving to meet its institutional responsibilities as a community college, Independence Community College sets forth the following purpose statements in de nition of its educational programs and services. These statements also serve as criteria for the administration, faculty, sta , students, and the public in assessing the College's e ectiveness in meeting its institutional mission and accomplishing the strategic plan.

the ICC Strategic Plan landing page.

Yearly Strategic Plan Update

In this year’s annual report, we examine the important role the strategic plan has played in guiding the College through a Presidential search, a global pandemic, and an accreditation visit from the Higher Learning Commission.

The strategic plan was adopted by the Board of Trustees at their May 2019 meeting.

This report makes clear, Independence Community College is making significant strides in achieving the goals of each of the plan’s four pillars: Academic Excellence, Community Engagement, Enrollment, and Endowment. From major grant activity, to academic outreach, to new co-curricular and athletic programs, to expanding our international engagementIndependence Community College is committed to providing a high-quality experience for our students and our community.

One critical factor in our success is the support of our alumni, donors, and friends. As we approach our centennial in 2025, we remain thankful for the generous spirit of our Pirate family. Your continued support enables the college to launch new and exciting initiatives in our academic offerings, our fine arts programming, our athletic experience, and other important areas.

The students, faculty, and staff of Independence Community College continue to make innumerable contributions to the success of the strategic plan. When the College moved to the former Independence Country Club in 1969, the institution laid the cornerstone to many of the buildings that are on campus today. Guided by this strategic plan, we will continue to grow on that foundation well into our second century.

Sincerely,

Dr. Vincent Bowhay President

Academic Excellence

2022 Higher Learning Commission Comprehensive Evaluation

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits degree-granting, post-secondary educational institutions in a region that includes 19 states. A full review of accreditation is conducted every ten years. During the ten-year cycle, HLC conducts a mid-point evaluation in year four. ICC had a four year mid-point evaluation visit on April 11-12, 2022.

Read more about our visit on our website.

Academic Excellence opportunities have been focused through Key Initiatives 1 & 2

Develop and deliver distinctive and high-quality academic, entrepreneurial, fine arts, athletics, and cultural programming that makes ICC a destination for students globally. Develop clear pathways to 4-year transfer and workforce readiness through college degree or certificate completion.

The college announced the newest Associate of Fine Arts Degree with degree tracks in Theatre Performance and Technical Theatre. Students can begin this degree track starting Fall of 2022.

The SEK Leadership competition is an event for area high school students to develop and grow leadership skills. Students competed in teams in various scenarios to win the overall score throughout the day.

ICC was selected to participate in the CDC’s Project Firstline. This was in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the League for Innovation in the Community College. The project launched a new initiative to help integrate enhanced infection control content into community college curricula.

Established in Summer of 2021, this academic umbrella emcompasses new non-credit programming for ICC Example Courses Offered: Kids College, Papermaking

The College, in partnership with the William Inge Festival Foundation, hosted the 39th William Inge Theatre Festival honoring Lynn Nottage.

Newly Established Academic Partnerships

Bellevue University

Established junior level status for ICC transfer students.

Implement plans for recruitment and retention of quality employees. Increase faculty and staff development opportunities and support. Create development programs, including leadership and expertise training.

Trio Student Support Services staff participated in 14 staff meetings throughout 21-22. Additionally, staff participated in webinars and trainings from NACADA, NASPA, Hawkes, COE, CRLA, Green Zone and US Department of Education.

Trio Student Support Services participants attended the MKN (Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska) Leadership Conference October 2021.

Human Resources established a web page hosting on-boarding information for new employees, campus policies, and job postings.

Independence Community College is excited to be designated as a 2021-2022 Great Place to Work®.

Highlights from the survey include:

82% believe their work has special meaning and is not "just a job."

81% feel a sense of pride when they look at what the company has accomplished. 81% feel good about the ways they contribute to the community.

Emporia State University, Created a pathway for ICC Business Administration students to easily transfer.

Ottawa University Established junior level status for ICC transfer students and a tuition discount for ICC employees.

Tri – County Educational Cooperative

Established a tuition discount for eligible students majoring in education aiding in reducing the teacher shortage.

University of Missouri

ICC A.A.S Veterinary Nursing students to continue their education with a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing.

Wilson Medical Center

Established a tuition discount for eligible employees.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Through Community Engagement, the College continues to find opportunities that not only benefit our students, but also serve many needs in the community. In laying the foundation for Community Engagement to thrive, ICC has made a Commitment (one of the Core Values) to make decisions that best serve our students and community.

Engagement opportunities have been focused through Key Initiatives 3 & 4.

Engage the service area community by development/redevelopment of collaborative partnerships and training programs that offer value to our students, our college and the community we serve.

ICC regularly participates at the Independence Chamber of Commerce First Friday Event. At this event, over 100 community leaders are able to learn more campus events and news.

The Pirates collaborated with the Independence Chamber of Commerce to host a Movie Night at Riverside Park. Over 200 students and community members were able to enjoy playing games and watch a movie together.

Over two-hundred students, faculty and staff participated in Love Independence, a day of community service. Students, faculty and staff provided service in the form of cleaning up sections around town.

Pirates in the Community ICC partners with area nonprofit organizations to allow students who are approved for Federal Work Study to do their workstudy hours withinthe community versus on campus.

The Jolly Roger was created and sent out to a local and state wide mailing list with campus updates and news.

This is an annual publication going out at the end of each academic year.

Upward Bound Students assembled 80 Thanksgiving food boxes. The First United Methodist Church picked them up the following Monday for distribution in time for Thanksgiving. Sponsors included ICC, ICC Foundation, Upward Bound, Fab

Community Camps/Clinics

Holiday Events

Ribbon Cuttings Career Fairs

Develop college outreach and promotions to maximize awareness of ICC through

strategic recruitment to grow enrollment and establish ICC’s identity and brand.

initiatives and

ICC announced the First-Generation Family of the Year. Through a nomination process, the Mendoza family was selected as providing unwavering support to ICC graduate, Nellie Mendoza.

Announced: November 8, 2021

ICC partnered with Independence Area Community Chest to create the Pirate Payback event where 100% of the donations made that performance go to help community nonprofit organizations.

Events Hosted: 4

During the fall, our Softball

Buddy Ball

sponsored by the Independence Recreation Comission,

approximately 15 individuals with

from

for

with

up with their ‘buddy’

Over the last academic year we have had a

community.

Increased Social Media Efforts

Facebook was the chosen platform to outreach to community, donors, faculty and staff.

The following metrics were pulled from July 2021 through June 2022.

New Page Followers

Increase

Total Reach for the Year

Increase

Visits

Enrollment during the 2021-2022 Academic year consisted of evaluation and restructuring to create a consistent identity within area high schools. Recruiting staff worked at establishing personal relationships and reconnecting with high school counselors and support staff. Enrollment opportunities have been focused

Develop college outreach and promotions to maximize awareness of ICC through clear initiatives and additional strategic recruitment to grow enrollment and establish ICC’s identity and brand.

Increased Social Media Efforts

The college saw an overall increase in

the previous

Enrollment Days

Helped students with applications, financial aid, and enrollment.

Theatre Student Matinee Performances

These theatre performances were offered as a student matinee performance allowing area high schoolers to see the performance and have the chance to ask questions to the cast, crew and director.

Diversity in Tech Education Day

Over 20 non-traditional students were able to learn about various technical programs and speak to program staff.

Event Held: Feburary 2022

Pirate Chats

Recruiting and Admissions partnered with Annie Mae’s Coffee to host Pirate Chats. These events allowed a different program director to showcase their program offerings while allowing potential students to get discounted rates on coffee.

Senior Day

Over 60 area highschoolers met with current faculty, explored financial aid options and learned more about student life on campus.

Event Held: December 3, 2021

Fall Arts Day

Students looking to major in a Fine Arts major were able to take specialized workshops and work with program directors

Event Held: November 12, 2021

Price is Right: Financial Literacy Event

High school students are invited to learn about college and personal finances in a fun and interactive format.

Event Held: April 1, 2022

The Recruiting and Admissions Office implemented into the upcoming recruiting strategy.

Appreciation Brunch for High School Counselors

Fifteen Counselors and support staff from area high schools were able to attend and learn more about ICC enrollment procedures and resources for students on campus.

ENDOWMENT

Endowment funds are the bulwark for all that Independence Community College must achieve: recruit the best students; hire the best faculty and staff; generate new and exciting academic, co-curricular, and athletic programs; and work to improve the lives of citizens in Southeast Kansas.

Endowment opportunties have been focused through Key Initiative 6

Ensure ICC performs in a socially and fiscally responsible manner through the creation of a dedicated, detailed funding plan and unique revenue streams to meet college needs and capital improvement projects. Also, working together with the ICC Foundation, substantially increase traditional fundraising and develop a more comprehensive alumni association and network.

To accomplish the robust goals outlined in the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan, the College and the Foundation have partnered with Swanson House, a national, full-service fundraising consulting firm dedicated to providing exceptional fundraising counseling to nonprofit and educational organizations. As we prepare for our 100th anniversary as a college, the President, Board of Trustees, and Foundation Board of Directors are all united in their vision of developing financial vehicles to ensure the College can weather the ebb and flow of state funding, tuition revenue, and federal grants.

The College received five additional years of funding from the U.S. Department of Education for the Upward Bound Program. The grant will fund Upward Bound through 2027 with an annual award of $336,030.00; amounting to $1,680,150.00 over the five-year grant.

Independence Community College joined other Kansas community and technical colleges to implement the Kansas Promise Scholarship Act. The Kansas Promise Scholarship Act is a last-dollar scholarship program for Kansas residents who enroll and complete a CTE certificate or two-year program in a specific career and technical education field. Promise recipients pledge to live and work in Kansas for two years following completion of their degree or certificate. In its inaugural year, $18,235 was award to 5 recipients.

Independence Community College received a grant for $1,032,565 from the Department of Education Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED). The purpose of the RPED Grant Program is to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among rural students through the development of high-quality career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region. The grant has also created three new jobs in our community.

ICC Bench Program

A program allowing donors to purchase a bench on campus with a personalized plaque.

BENCHES SPONSORED: 7

The 1925 MEMO

A monthly foundation newsletter was created and mailed out, going to over 275 alumni and community leaders.

The college honored three Professors Emeriti and one Distinguished Alumni during the President's Luncheon.

ICC was awarded the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the Small Business Administration. This money was put towards the William Inge Theatre Festival.

The ICC Board of Trustees approved the creation of three new reserve accounts:

General Fund Contingency: This fund sets aside one-half percent (0.5%) of the budgeted revenue to ensure the College can weather the ebb and flow of state funding, tuition revenue, and federal grants.

Stabilization Reserve Fund: This fund sets aside revenue to provide short-term stabilization in anticipation of possible revenue shortfalls.

Capital Reserve Fund: This fund was established to maintain college facilities, enhance technology, and plan for long-term growth of the college.

The College has established long-term investment goals to provide increasing streams of financial support for the important work at the College. From the establishment of the first ever Board of Trustees Reserve Account to new grants to reach more students in Southeast Kansas, Independence Community College continues to identify new financial resources to support the College’s mission to “serve the best interests of students and the community by providing academic excellence while promoting cultural enrichments and economic development.”

Laura Allison, J.D. Director of Financial Aid Endowment Focus Area Chair

Administrative Goals

President Bowhay, along with his Administrative Team, developed the following priorities for the 2022-2023 academic year after reviewing trends in local, state, and national data, as well as the current strategic plan. The College is reorientating itself for growth throughout the academic year. Independence Community College has partnered with Architect One, Inc. to develop a new 15-year campus facilities master plan. Additionally, the College continues to look for new ways to engage our local community and industry partners in everything we do. Finally, the College will continue to examine the student experience to ensure we are delivering a high-quality academic experience partnered with robust co-curricular offerings. Administrative Team members will continue to encourage all areas to adopt these areas as key College-level priorities for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Priority 1:

Build an institutional understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Independence Community College is committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable campus community. To accomplish this, the College must recruit, retain, and support a more diverse community. Further, the College is committed to removing any systematic barriers to student and employee success.

Priority 2:

Increase enrollment.

Independence Community College is committed to aligning services, resources, and programs to achieve optimal enrollment levels and support students in realizing their educational, personal, and professional goals.

Priority 3:

Grow our academic programming.

Independence Community College will continue to be the destination of choice for a quality education in Southeast Kansas and beyond.

Priority 4:

Improve our infrastructure.

Independence Community College is committed to providing sustainable, safe, and attractive facilities conducive to student learning and employee engagement. The College will develop a new 15-year Campus Facilities Master Plan over the course of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Priority 5:

Enhance our technology.

Independence Community College strategically plans for upgrades to, and the replacement of, campus technology that supports student success and institutional effectiveness.

FOUND AT IO NVETERANS STUDENT SUCCESS SERVICES

The transformation of Independence Community College, as guided by the College’s strategic plan, is a work in progress. This report focuses on recent initiatives in each of the four pillars that the plan identi ed as opportunities to strengthen the College. Many other initiatives are happening across campus and in our community. These advancements would not be possible without the support of our dedicated faculty, sta , students, and alumni. The administration and trustees are grateful for your role in bringing Independence Community College into even greater national and international prominence.

ICC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, tenure, disability or any other factors that cannot be lawfully considered in its programs and activities as required by all applicable laws and regulations, in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.

ICC offers Career and Technical Education programs in Business, Computer and Office Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Veterinary Nursing, Health Sciences, Welding and Woodworking and has an open access policy, with program admission based upon the completion of applicable course/testing prerequisites. Lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in CTE programs.