Standard I.A Mission
Together with the statements of Values and the Principles of Community, Gavilan College’s Mission Statement describes the institution’s broad educational purpose and commitment to overall student success.
The current Mission Statement is:
Gavilan College cultivates learning and personal growth in students of all backgrounds and abilities through innovative practices in both traditional and emerging learning environments; transfer pathways, career and technical education, developmental education, and support services prepare students for success in a dynamic and multicultural world (I.A-1).
- This mission statement defines the college’s educational purpose in the phrase: “cultivates learning and personal growth and prepares students ... for success.”
- The mission statement defines the intended student population in the phrase: “students of all backgrounds and abilities”
- The mission statement includes the degrees and other credentials offered, innovative student services and instructional support programs, and the college commitment to student learning and student achievement with the words: “cultivates learning and personal growth and prepares students of all backgrounds and abilities for success.”
Analysis and Evaluation, Standard I.A.1
Gavilan’s mission statement describes the institution’s broad educational purposes, its intended student population, the types of degrees and other credentials it offers, and its commitment to student learning and student achievement.
● Gavilan Integrated Data System (GIDS)
● Chancellor’s Office Scorecard (I.A-4)
Data from these systems inform Program Review, Strategic Planning, Enrollment Management, Learning Outcomes assessment, and the Educational Master Plan, all linked explicitly with the college mission.
Gavilan’s shared governance process includes broad discussion of data leading to decisions based on research, review, and conferral. Data is shared publicly with presentations to the Board of Trustees and links on the college website.
Data on specific programs is also generated and shared with stakeholders. For example, in FY 2017-2018 the college community and the Board of Trustees received the following performance reports:
● June 2018: MESA and TRiO Student Support Services program (I.A-6)
● June 2018: Fresh Success and Food Pantry update (I.A-7)
● April 2018: Noncredit ESL Transitions (I.A-8)
● August 2018: EOPS Comprehensive Evaluation (I.A-9)
● November 2017: California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Scorecard (I.A-10)
One concrete example of the use of data for decision making is the 2016 Student Scheduling Preferences Survey (I.A-11). Based upon the results of this survey the college began the process of reconstructing the class schedule, drawing together institutional stakeholders, including students, for a day-long summit on scheduling needs and deficiencies. During the Year of Practice (AY 2017-2018), the institution began to implement strategies to address the common issues raised by the survey and summit.
An additional example of the use of data for decision making is a comprehensive analysis of accumulated surplus units by major conducted during the preparation for work on Guided Pathways (I.A-12). This report provided a basis for discussion by the Guided Pathways team about efficiency opportunities and areas of focus for degree mapping. Additionally, it informed work by faculty and counselors in the effectiveness and clarity of our existing pathways with an eye towards improving the delivery of these services.
Analysis and Evaluation, Standard I.A.2
The College uses data to assess performance and determine how effectively it is accomplishing its mission, and is engaged in a continuous cycle of improvement leading to student success. Data is shared and discussed broadly with stakeholders and the public.
THE INSTITUTION’S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE ALIGNED WITH ITS MISSION. THE MISSION GUIDES INSTITUTIONAL DECISION-MAKING, PLANNING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND INFORMS INSTUTIONAL GOALS FOR STUDENT LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT.
Evidence for Standard I.A.3
Gavilan College’s programs and services are aligned with the mission through the Educational Master Plan (I.A-13), the Strategic Plan (I.A-14) and the program review process. The Educational Master Plan is updated every six years (most recently in 2016-2017) and the 3-year Strategic Plan is updated annually through the shared governance process.
The Strategic Planning Committee leads the annual development and review of the Strategic Plan and makes recommendations through the President's Council. The committee's annual review includes research into internal and external data and progress made on the prior year’s goals and objectives. In Spring 2018 the committee voted to change the Strategic Plan from a 5-year to a 3-year Plan in order to be more responsive to changing needs, with the change starting in 2019-2020 (I.A-15).
Gavilan College has a comprehensive program review process monitored by the Institutional Effectiveness Committee/ Program Integrated Planning and Review (IEC/PIPR). Program reviews evaluate how well each program functions in relation to its objectives, the mission of the College, the College's institutional goals and priorities, and the needs of the community. The review process is designed to strengthen planning, decision making, and scheduling. It influences program development and improvement; assesses the impact of the interrelationships of programs; improves the use of College/District resources; establishes the basis for changes to the strategic plan; establishes the basis for resource allocation requests for incorporation into program plans and annual department budget requests; and improves student learning. Programs under review use data to assess their accomplishments, challenges, and future objectives, contributing to improved institutional effectiveness.
Gavilan College plans to improve upon the Program Review process over the 2018-2019 academic year. As part of the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative (IEPI) process, Gavilan College included the following in its Partnership Resource Team (PRT) letter:
One area of need that has continued to emerge through the ISER writing process and has been the basis for institutional dialogue has been the program review protocol, both from a data collection perspective and improvements needed in the annual reporting process. (I.A-16)
The Strategic Plan and Program Reviews are directly tied to the Budget Process. Each fall, departments submit program plans with associated budget requests for the following year. Each request is linked to specific strategic plan goals or program review recommendations. These budget requests are then reviewed and ranked by the College Budget Committee. These rankings inform the development of the following year’s budget.
Analysis and Evaluation, Standard I.A.3
The College’s programs and services are aligned with its mission through the major planning documents: the Educational Master Plan and the Strategic Plan, which directly informs each program’s annual Program Plan. The Program Review cycle uses data to assess fulfillment of the mission and to inform annual Program Planning. Annual Program Plans are directly tied to the development of the budget. The mission guides institutional decision-making, planning, and resource allocation and informs institutional goals for student learning and achievement. Gavilan College plans to improve upon the Program Review process over the 2018-2019 academic year.
The institution articulates its mission in a widely published statement approved by the governing board. The mission statement is periodically reviewed and updated as necessary. (ER 6)
Evidence for Standard I.A.4
Gavilan College has a Board of Trustees reviewed and approved mission statement. This statement is widely published and is reviewed and updated on a periodic basis. The mission statement demonstrates the College’s commitment to student learning and student achievement.
The Mission Statement is:
Gavilan College cultivates learning and personal growth in students of all backgrounds and abilities through innovative practices in both traditional and emerging learning environments; transfer pathways, career and technical education, developmental education, and support services prepare students for success in a dynamic and multicultural world. (I.A-17)
Gavilan College is now in the process of reviewing and updating the Mission Statement. In Spring 2018, the college began to review the Mission Statement, in light of the completed Educational Master Plan and newly completed Strategic Plan. A working group was formed with representation from students, faculty, staff, and administration. This working group met to brainstorm on the components of the mission statement, the “who”, “what” when” and “why” of Gavilan College (I.A-18).
Over Summer 2018, this matrix was distributed and discussed in different forums: including Leadership Council, DeDCC, and President’s Council, and draft statements were created (I.A-19).
The Board of Trustees provided input during the August 2018 regular board meeting (I.A-20). An online survey was administered to all staff to generate feedback on the current and draft statements (I.A-21). The draft statements were then brought to the whole college for discussion, editing and approval through the shared governance process during Fall 2018. It is anticipated that the college will adopt an updated mission statement by Spring 2019.
The Mission Statement is widely published, appearing:
● on the college web site on the “About Gavilan College” page (I.A-1)
● in the annual Report to the Community (I.A-22)
● in the Catalog (I.A-23)
● in the Commencement Program (I.A-24)
● in the Budget Guidelines, which are used to inform the development of the annual budget, page 1 (I.A-25)
● in other critical publications and documents.
Analysis and Evaluation, Standard I.A.4
Gavilan College has a regular cycle of assessment and review of its mission statement, in conjunction with renewal of the Educational Master Plan and regular review and update of the Strategic Plan. The mission statement and planning documents are approved by the governing board and posted on the college website and in the catalog, Report to the Community, and other institutional documents. Gavilan College is now in the process of reviewing and updating the Mission Statement.
Gavilan College uses data and an ongoing cycle of program review to ensure that programs are aligned with the College mission. Program review examines student achievement data, labor market data, and completion data to validate the continued efficacy of programs. Currently, the College is undergoing is mission statement review cycle and will have a new mission statement in place when the visiting team arrives. Similarly, the College is shifting its Program Review cycle and timeline. Starting in academic year 2019-2020, all instructional programs will be on a three-year program review and planning cycle to maintain currency with ever-changing student needs for transfer and career success. These changes will allow the College to align its mission and strategic planning process to the State’s new Vision for Success goals and Guided Pathways framework.
- Program Review process: in 2018-2019, the Institutional Effectiveness Committee (IEC) will complete the transition to a new name: Program Integrated Planning and Review (PIPR) and update the process based on feedback provided by the IEPI Partnership Resource Team visit in Spring 2019.
- Mission Statement: in 2018-2019, the institution will complete the review and update of the Mission Statement through the shared governance process.