CBT: The College Brain Trust

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CBT Case Studies

Strengthen central services, bookstore and foodservice operations

In fall, 2010, the State Center Community College District hired the College Brain Trust consulting team to conduct an organizational review of the district and its centralized services, as well as its bookstore and foodservice operations. The district was seeking recommendations to make its services and organizational structure even more effective and efficient.

As part of its discovery process, the CBT consultants visited the district, interviewed and met with over 300 employees and students, and conducted a district-wide online survey that was completed by 270 faculty, administrators, classified and students.

The consultants found a district under the leadership of Chancellor Deborah Blue dedicated to serving students and committed to improving its colleges and centers. The consultants also found an organization structure and central services that could better serve students, prompt efficiencies and improve effectiveness at the campus level if several important changes were implemented in the coming year.

The study was initiated by Dr. Blue, who recognized upon starting her new job at the two-campus district, that students and the community would be better served with changes in how the district and its services were organized and operated.

“It was important for the future of the district and its colleges that we address these organizational issues as soon as possible to put into place any changes needed for the long-term,” said Dr. Blue. “I was very pleased to bring in the College Brain Trust team to help. The entire team, Fran White, Bob Jensen and Mike Brandy, are all experienced, successful college administrators intimately familiar with the challenges we faced.”

The consultants concluded there should be clearer lines of responsibility and accountability within the district office, on the colleges/centers, and between the district office and the colleges/centers. The consultants also concluded a number of organizational changes should be taken to strengthen the relationship between the District Office and the colleges/centers and prepare the district for the accreditation of its third college.

The recommendations for the bookstore and foodservice operations focused on better serving students, more efficient use of resources and both short- and long-term solutions to the changing and challenging book and food industries.

Dr. Blue was more than satisfied with the final report and its recommendations and the work of the CBT team. “The community college districts in California are entering an Era of Scarcity. As a result of the work and effort we have put in place, and the recommendations from the CBT team, the State Center district will now move forward stronger than ever with planning, a resource allocation model and a more effective use of technology to meet these challenges. The College Brain Trust consultants have helped us move in the direction that allows me, with complete confidence, to assure our Board of Trustees that the district’s leadership and staff will continue to work together to make our colleges and centers outstanding learning centers for students throughout the State Center Community College District.”