CBT: The College Brain Trust

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CBT Accolades

South Orange County Community College District

South Orange County Community College District contracted with the College Brain Trust for assistance in addressing WASC's recommendation that the institution develop and implement a strategic plan inclusive of the Colleges' planning, one which would drive the allocation of District resources for Saddleback and Irvine Valley Colleges, the Advanced Technology Education Park, and District Services.

After the CBT consultants finished the project, Chancellor Gary Poertner commented:

Both colleges in our district unexpectedly received letters from the accreditation commission placing both on warning status primarily due to district planning issues. Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College both have a history of good planning, which received favorable comments from the commission. However, we had no history of district-wide planning that is inclusive of the Colleges' planning that would drive the allocation of District resources for Saddleback and Irvine Valley Colleges, the Advanced Technology Education Park, and District Services.

We did not have the necessary planning experience in district services to start from scratch and complete the task in just the six months allowed. We quickly formed district wide committees of over 30 participants and began working. We soon realized we needed expert help from experienced planners. The committees unanimously chose College Brain Trust to provide assistance. Eva Conrad and Julie Hatoff were assigned the task by Patrick.

The CBT consultants reviewed the District mission, vision and core values, college planning documents, including the educational master plans and strategic plans, and demographic projections. They also reviewed accreditation standards/recommendations, plus external resources such as the Report of the Commission on the Future. CBT consultants conducted on- campus one-on-one meetings throughout the District with individual stakeholders identified by leaders of governance groups. From the input of faculty, staff, and administrators, they ascertained themes which helped inform proposed strategic directions for the District. CBT consultants facilitated two retreats in the summer. Using the interview themes and the other data as a springboard for discussion, they assisted the participants in developing draft consensus about district-wide goals and action steps.

The consultants gave me what I needed. They assisted us in completing the strategic planning in time for the follow up report for the Commission. They also broadened and deepened staff knowledge about the planning process. It is widely recognized within our district services and colleges that we simply could not have completed a timely quality plan without the assistance of College Brain Trust. Eva Conrad and Julie Hatoff were wonderful!

Click on CBT Case Studies to read more about how CBT and its consultants approached this important project.