Strategic Planning

Message from the President

Founded as the “College Without Walls” in 1978, Rio Salado College (RSC) has been an innovator and leader in higher education for more than 45 years, serving the diverse needs of traditional and non-traditional students. Over the last several years, Rio Salado College, like many institutions, has faced a tidal wave of change. In 2019, Rio Salado was embarking upon a new era, with a new college mission, vision, and values launching right as the global pandemic began. The rapid social and technological changes spurred by COVID-19 and advancements in artificial intelligence make planning for tomorrow’s challenges more critical than ever. Additionally, significant changes within the state of Arizona, including the adoption of bachelor’s degrees at the community college level, have created new opportunities for the college that must be considered in our planning process. Five years later, Rio Salado College again finds itself at a time of challenge and change.

To help steer the college through the turbulent waters of this challenging time, I am excited to present Rio Salado’s new strategic plan, Ride the Tide To Success. The plan results from countless hours of data review, discussion, and dialog since 2023. It reflects both the changing landscape of higher education today and Rio Salado College’s continuing commitment to student success. Building on the focus created in the previous plan, Rio Salado College maintains its commitment to student goal attainment while continuously working to improve our college and community for all our stakeholders. This includes furthering the institution’s commitment to equity and inclusion and acknowledging the challenges and opportunities found through continuous improvement in our programming and operational practices. Further, the Four Practices of Engagement– mindfulness, empathy, happiness, and resilience– continue to be a driving force behind the work of the college and align well with the Maricopa County Community College District’s commitment to performance success training for all full-time employees.

The development of this plan was supplemented and supported by the work of the Maricopa County Community College District Office, which adopted a Strategic Planning Framework in collaboration with the Governing Board. The research and planning completed by the district have been incorporated into this plan to help align the college’s strategies, goals, and priorities with those of the Maricopa County Community College District at large.

I sincerely thank our Strategic Alignment Committee, the leading body that develops and aligns our strategies and goals. Further, this plan would not be possible without the shared governance and leadership of Rio Salado College’s Development Team and the President’s Cabinet, which provided thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and insight in developing it.

As the higher education landscape and the world, in general, continue to evolve, Rio Salado College can draw strength from our purpose to “provide high-quality, flexible and accessible education to empower individuals, foster partnerships and strengthen communities.” Together, we are confident that our continuing ability to empower learners everywhere through innovative education will drive our collective success.

Sincerely,

President Kate Smith
Rio Salado College

RSC’s Strategies 2024-2026

• Strategy 1. Increase student goal attainment with innovative solutions and engaging educational experiences.
• Strategy 2. Offer innovative learning pathways to meet 21st century community and workforce needs.
• Strategy 3. Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) for all students and employees.
• Strategy 4. Improve operational and organizational stability.