Strategy, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness

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Function

The Division of Strategy, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (SPIE) provides cross-
functional support to the district office and all seven colleges of Houston City College. These
services influence all instructional programs and administrative units.

Strategic Planning

Houston City College adopted Embracing Houston’s Future – A Comprehensive Strategy. This
plan builds on the College’s fifty years of service and achievement. It prepares the institution for
its 60th anniversary in 2030 by strengthening efficiency, connections, responsiveness,
alignment and innovation. The plan identifies strategic priorities that guide the College in
educating more students and graduating more students prepared for success. These priorities
highlight the critical role of the College in advancing the community.

A steering committee composed of faculty, staff, administrators, students, and community
partners led the planning process, integrated community input and continues to oversee
progress toward achieving the College’s vision.

Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment

Houston City College views assessment as an essential tool for growth and improvement. Institutional effectiveness is built on the practice of measuring outcomes, reviewing results and making changes that strengthen both programs and services.

Assessment ensures that every unit, academic or administrative, works in alignment with the College’s mission and strategic priorities. Evidence-based evaluation allows the College to identify strengths, address challenges, and improve the student and community experience.

To support this process, the College offers a range of assessment methods that departments and service units use to gather meaningful evidence. Each method is selected and applied according to the unique goals and needs of the unit.

Assessment Methods

Internal program review is intended to help the academic programs and services units achieve stated goals, improve performance and plan better for the future. Program reviews are conducted every four years by all academic disciplines, career and technical programs and administrative and educational support services operational units. Between program reviews, all programs and services operational units complete an Annual Progress Report focusing on program improvement recommendations as identified during the program review process.

Academic programs and administrative and educational support services operational units may also have outside agencies or consultants conduct an extensive evaluation of the program or the services unit. For example, the Learning Resources Network (LERN) conducted an evaluation of the restructuring of the Continuing Education programs offered under the Office of Workforce Instruction. Most of the Health Science programs are evaluated periodically by their outside accrediting bodies, such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The institution also undergoes review by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

The Academic Dashboard is a set of eight key performance indicators used to track the progress of the institution in achieving its mission, vision and strategic goals.

Instructional services units submit annual Student Learning Outcomes assessment reports and use information from assessment activity to improve teaching and learning.

Administrative/support units submit assessment activity information which reflects core function awareness, incorporates elements of the HCC Way and activity related to securing objectives of the strategic plan.

All units submit a "closing the loop" report which contains a brief analysis of the unit's outcomes and achievements during the preceding IE cycle.

Contact Us

Strategy, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness

P.O. BOX 667517, MC 1165 3100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002