Rio Salado College recently unveiled its new strategic plan, "Ride the Tide to Success," which will guide the institution through 2026. The new plan aligns closely with the Maricopa Community College's Systemwide 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, "Excellence," while maintaining Rio Salado's identity and focus.
Four Key Strategies
The "Ride the Tide to Success" plan centers on four key strategies:
- Increase student goal attainment with innovative solutions and engaging educational experiences.
- Offer innovative learning pathways to meet 21st century community and workforce needs.
Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) for all students and employees. - Improve operational and organizational stability.
Why It Matters
This strategic plan is important for several reasons: First, the plan addresses the challenges posed by recent global events and technological advancements, while keeping the college focused on the college’s mission of “anticipating the needs of our students and future workforce,” while providing “high-quality, flexible, and accessible education.”
“The rapid social and technological changes spurred by the global pandemic and advancements in artificial intelligence make planning for tomorrow’s challenges more critical than ever,” President Kate Smith wrote in a letter included in the plan.
Next, the plan will keep the college focus on helping students reach their academic and career goals, as well as continued exploration of opportunities, such as development of new programs (forensic science launched this fall) and alternative credential pathways.
Finally, the plan builds on goals announced in 2020, including the focus on an institutional culture of inclusion and accessibility.
A Collaborative Effort
Development of the "Ride the Tide to Success" plan involved faculty, staff, and stakeholders. As Rio embarks on this new chapter, the plan will serve as a blueprint for growth and change.
“As the higher education landscape and the world, in general, continue to change at a fast pace, 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,’” Smith wrote.