“Let’s prioritize the right things and focus on strategies that will have the most profound impact on our learners, their families, and our communities’ lives. That is our mission.” -David Dore.
With commitments to measurable achievement and providing students across the Commonwealth with the skills and credentials that they need to succeed in the workplace, the new Strategic Plan for Virginia’s Community Colleges was the focus of this year’s Chancellor’s Retreat. The objectives of the Accelerate Opportunity plan are closely aligned with the needs of Virginia’s workforce and the diverse learners we serve, and designed to ensure our system continues to operate at the speed of industry.
“At the heart of ‘Accelerate Opportunity’ is one overarching, ambitious goal: to award 300,000 cumulative meaningful credentials by 2030 across all regions through accelerated access and success for every student,” said VCCS Chancellor David Dore as the Retreat got underway.
The gathering in Roanoke on August 8-9 brought together 250 representatives from the State Board for Community Colleges, college presidents, local college board members and leadership teams, members of the Chancellor’s Faculty Advisory Committee, and representatives from the VCCS system office.
The new Strategic Plan updates the plan adopted in 2021 and reflects new system leadership (Dr. Dore came on board as Chancellor in April 2023) and an expanded commitment to measurable outcomes. Accelerate Opportunity carries specific goals for each college and implements consistent data dashboards across colleges to reveal which initiatives are working and which need improvement.
Dr. Dore’s keynote speech at this year’s Chancellor’s Retreat was videotaped, and you can watch it here.
You can read the new VCCS Strategic Plan, Accelerate Opportunity, here.
The Accelerate Opportunity plan will focus on five key objectives:
- #1 Developing Virginia’s Talent: aligning VCCS programs with the needs of Virginia’s industries, ensuring our students are well-prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
- #2 Reaching More Virginians: expanding system outreach efforts, making sure every Virginian knows about and can access the opportunities available through our community colleges.
- #3 Delivering Education to Today’s Learners: adapting our teaching methods and delivery systems to meet the diverse needs of modern students through high-impact institutional practices.
- #4 Supporting Today’s Learners: recognizing that our students often face challenges outside the classroom. This objective emphasizes comprehensive support services to help students overcome barriers to success.
- #5 Investing in Virginia’s Workforce: to ensure that our programs support students’ needs for financial flexibility while supporting the vitality and sustainability of our colleges.
TCC President Marcia Conston, seen with Dr. Dore at the Chancellor’s Retreat, led the Steering Committee that developed the Accelerate Opportunity Strategic Plan.
The Chancellor thanked the Strategic Plan Steering Committee led by Tidewater Community College President Marcia Conston for its contributions in shaping the new plan and for its commitment to shepherd the plan forward.
“This has been and will continue to be meaningful work,” said Dr. Conston. “I’ve asked presidents at all of our colleges to identify individuals to help us implement this plan, so it’s truly a systemwide collaborative process. We’re planning a kickoff meeting in September.”
Other Strategic Plan Steering Committee members, seen here, left to right, include MECC President Kris Westover, P&HCC President Greg Hodges, MGCC President John Rainone, RCC President Shannon Kennedy, SVCC President Quentin Johnson, and PVCC President Jean Runyon.
“When we truly work together as a system with a common mission and purpose, extraordinary things happen for our students and for Virginia,” said Chancellor Dore. “Together, we have the power to transform lives, to strengthen our communities, and to drive Virginia’s economy forward. We have the power to open doors of opportunity for hundreds of thousands of Virginians who are looking to build better futures for themselves and their families.”
This year’s Chancellor’s Retreat also provided a platform to promote Dr. Dore’s vision for “One System” and a Culture of Care at Virginia’s Community Colleges. You can read more here.
