Editorial Column for Daily Herald
For Publication: 2/27/08

Results from HCC's Long Range Planning Process

Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr.
President, Halifax Community College

In my column in October, I wrote about the process of long range planning at HCC. After much hard work, we now have the first results from campus and community surveys and focus groups. The information will now undergo an approval process by the North Carolina Community College System office. I am sure that a few changes will be made. However, I wanted to share these early findings with our community right away.

The purpose of the HCC Long Range Plan (LRP) is to anticipate what future college programs and facilities would be needed to best serve the Roanoke Valley. Information gathered for the project included service area and enrollment trends. Also included were surveys from faculty, staff, administration and community partners.

 Some findings were:

• Industries with the highest total job growth from 2007-2013 include home health care services and local and state government. Also, home/warehouse clubs and supercenters, and elementary and secondary schools.

• Occupations showing the most growth within the top 10 high-growth industries include home health care aides, registered nurses, and elementary and middle school teachers. Also, correctional officers and jailers, and foodservice workers were included.

• Occupations showing the most total growth across all industries were registered nurses and health care workers, and preschool, elementary and middle school teachers. Correctional officers and jailers, retail sales workers and managers, and maintenance and repair workers were included.

• From 2007-2013, the region can expect the total population to change by more than 1,400 people. Highest growth is expected in the 5-9, 20-24, 50-54, and 60-69 age groups.

• The number of people in the region with college degrees on any level is below state and national averages. From 2007-2013, the total number of high school graduates in the region is expected to decline.

From surveys of our faculty, staff and administration, the most selected existing programs for growth included:

(1) transfer studies

(2) associate degree nursing

(3) law enforcement

(4) computer information technology

(5) dental hygiene

(6) automotive systems technology

New programs for growth included:

(1) hospitality management

(2) radiology

(3) entertainment technology

(4) construction management technology

(5) HVAC/carpentry/basic wiring/masonry

We asked our community partners to rank our existing programs in importance and growth. Results included:

(1) transfer studies

(2) computer information technology

(3) associate degree nursing

(4) law enforcement

(5) automotive systems technology

(6) dental hygiene

They ranked proposed new programs as:

(1) hospitality management

(2) construction management technology

(3) entertainment technology

(4) HVAC/carpentry/basic wiring/masonry

(5) radiology

(6) drama/theater

We also invited the public to complete a survey ranking the results of the HCC faculty, staff and administration survey. The community selected transfer studies and associate degree nursing as the most important, high growth programs. It was also pointed out that hospitality management and skilled labor trades are primary needs in the region.

From the President's Perspective, this planning process has been necessary to understand our needs as we prepare for the next five years. I appreciate all who took the time to participate in our project. We have learned a great deal from the process. Now, we look forward to finalizing our plan. After that, we will make preparations to develop a facilities master plan during the spring 2008.  To view the complete plan, please go to our website and look under Research and Planning.