5P3 Meeting Student and Stakeholder Needs and Expectations

Setting institutional direction begins when STI’s Administrative Team convenes for their annual planning retreat. STI’s mission, vision, and values are used to develop annual institutional goals. STI’s key performance indicators and other data elements are also reviewed, discussed and connected to appropriate institutional goals. The process is highly inclusive, the result of input from multiple stakeholders—business and industry leaders, faculty, staff, students, and the community. STI relies on the STI Council, South Dakota Department of Labor and Department of Education, Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Forward Sioux Falls, and other organizational stakeholders, as well as industry forums to identify regional trends and priorities. As adjustments in services and course and program offerings are considered, STI continues to work closely with these organizations to assure that these changes are appropriate and in the best interest of both STI’s service area and students. Meetings throughout the year with faculty and staff, either through committees, teams or as part of departments or program areas, provides internal input for this retreat. In particular, the AQIP Futures Team keeps a pulse on economic and educational trends and develops recommendations to the Administrative Team concerning strategies for addressing future challenges.

Once developed, these institutional goals are approved by the STI Council and are communicated to faculty and staff during the fall in-service and discussed throughout the year in faculty and staff meetings.

In addition to the institutional goals developed by the Administrative Team based on input from STI stakeholders including STI employees, the STI Council, Advisory Committees and state and business leaders, each program and service area at the institute develops its own action projects to accomplish these goals or related goals. Goals are followed and measured throughout the year with final outcomes statements required for all actions. In-service time is set aside to reinforce the importance of faculty involvement in developing action projects for their program areas. Time is also given to work on action projects, strategize with program team members, and network with other faculty.

The Futures Team includes representation from all key groups across the campus. This broad cross-section of members helps ensure that the needs and expectations of key stakeholder groups will be addressed. During the 2008-2009 school year, the Futures Team conducted a SWOT analysis as background for the current strategic plan.

Through the use of industry forums, collaboration with industry partners, Advisory Committees, local and state workforce development organizations, area business and industry leaders, and clinical, preceptor and internship evaluations, STI is able to gauge the needs of the region it serves. A specific process for program development has been created to maintain a strong focus on student academic achievement and learning (see 1P 3 ).

By assuring that all goals and action projects meet the STI mission and values, by gaining input from key stakeholders, and by analyzing STI key performance indicators, the institute is able to keep the direction of the institute focused on students and student learning.