Mark Dykstra

The board meeting included discussions on strategic planning, enrollment and retention, financial stability, HCC culture, technology, AI, and program development. Key themes identified were student recruitment and retention, community and industry partnerships, program development and adaptation, and HCC team culture. Board members discussed topics such as succession planning, culture and turnover, arts and sciences, and middle management. Other topics included athletic budgets and expenses, marketing and enrollment, faculty development, employee retention, and dual credit costs for students. Strategic Planning will be further discussed at the December 9th board meeting.

The 2025-2028 Strategic Plan for Indian Hills Community College focuses on energizing growth and collaboration, advancing student outcomes, optimizing operations for sustainable success, and building a skilled workforce. Key priorities include improving communication, maximizing enrollment and retention, strategically managing resources, integrating technology, and engaging businesses to meet evolving workforce demands. The plan aims to empower students, faculty, and staff, enhance the college's brand, and promote community involvement and economic impact.

The strategic plan for Indian Hills Community College focuses on transforming the future through education and empowerment. Key areas include inspiring learning, promoting diversity, fostering social enrichment, and advancing regional economic development. The plan involves gathering input from internal and external stakeholders to draft strategic initiatives and goals that align with the college's mission and values. It also emphasizes the importance of facilities, technology, business rules, human resources, and various assessment and review processes to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with the college's strategic objectives.

The 2017-2019 Strategic Plan Outcomes Report for Indian Hills Community College details progress across seven strategic priorities: enhancing the learning environment for student success; implementing technology solutions; improving internal and external communications; developing a strategic enrollment management plan; providing a skilled workforce; securing financial resources; and providing quality learning and living spaces. Outcomes demonstrate improvements in student completion and retention rates, enhanced academic advising, successful technology integration, improved communications strategies, increased enrollment, workforce development initiatives, and facility upgrades. Specific achievements include the implementation of the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), improvements in student advising and support services (including the Parenting Assistance Fund), expansion of career academies and concurrent enrollment programs, enhanced technology infrastructure and training, improved communication strategies, and significant facility upgrades and renovations.

The 2021-2024 Strategic Plan for Indian Hills Community College focuses on three key priorities: Student Success, Community Engagement, and Economic Vitality. Student Success initiatives aim to increase student success rates through academic and career pathways, enhance technology access, improve financial literacy programming, and expand opportunities for active learning and student support. Community Engagement priorities include expanding community involvement, targeting enrollment growth among under-resourced and under-represented populations, improving communication, and fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Economic Vitality goals focus on increasing credit and non-credit enrollment, securing funding for facilities improvements, expanding business and industry partnerships to meet workforce needs, and developing a comprehensive capital fundraising plan.