Central Lakes College Strategic Plan 2025-2031
Mission
We build futures. At Central Lakes College, together we:
• Provide lifelong learning opportunities in the arts, sciences, technical education, and customized training
• Create opportunities for cultural enrichment, civic responsibility, and community engagement
• Nurture a caring and respectful culture to support the success of a diverse community of students and colleagues
Vision
Central Lakes College will be known as the college that builds futures – removes barriers, inspires learning, and grows community.
Values
Excellence, Community, Innovation, Inclusion
CLC Strategic Priorities and Goals
Priority 1: Advancing Student Success
Important Priority Metrics
• Minnesota State Student Success Rate (retention, completion, transfer)
• Academic Credit Momentum
• Post-Completion Metrics
– Transfer and Baccalaureate Completion Rate
– Placement Rate
– Upward Economic Mobility Indicator
Advancing Student Success: Dramatically increase the success of our students now and far beyond graduation.
1.a Drive Enrollment in High-Value Pathways
Ensure all students enter clearly defined, high-opportunity programs with comprehensive, individualized plans that extend from enrollment to career and transfer success.
1.b Deliver Holistic, High-Impact Student Support
Strengthen wraparound services that address academic, personal, and financial barriers—strengthen the case management advising process and address housing and food insecurities.
1.c Enhance the Student Onboarding Experience
Redesign new student onboarding to instill confidence, clarify pathways, and prepare students to navigate college and life with purpose.
1.d Transform Completion and Post-completion Outcomes for all Students
Implement bold strategies to dramatically improve transfer and baccalaureate attainment and
technical wage and advancement outcomes—especially for historically underserved students.
1.e Foster Innovation in Teaching and Technology
Champion cutting-edge pedagogy and technology that meets today’s learners where they are and elevates student engagement and inspires learning.
1.f Cultivate Student Agency
Intentionally build student/learner agency with the mindset, skills, and strategies to take ownership
of their education and build their desired futures.
1.g Embrace a Poverty-Informed Approach
Transform our practices and mindsets to become a fully poverty-informed institution that understands
and meets the realities our students face.
Priority 2: Investing in Institutional Strength
Important Priority Metrics
• Enrollment
• New program development
• Non-tuition revenue/grants
• Sustainability
• Philanthropic and community support
• Composite Financial Index
• Reserves
• Facilities Condition Index
Investing in Institutional Strength: Grow enrollment, deepen community partnerships, develop resources and expand economic influence to ensure long-term financial resilience.
2.a Position CLC as the Region’s Premier Choice
Boldly brand and promote CLC as the top-tier, affordable destination for quality education and career preparation.
2.b Enhance College Supports to Ensure Program Growth and Continued Relevance
Strengthen internal systems and resources to support the ongoing strength and alignment of academic programs with community and industry needs.
2.c Launch High-Demand, Workforce-Aligned Programs
Strategically invest in new academic offerings that meet employer and future workforce needs.
2.d Position CLC as the Region’s Premier Post-Secondary Enrollment Partner
Stabilize and strategically expand College in the Schools and PSEO programs to create intentional pathways, strengthen partnerships, and build early college momentum.
2.e Expand the Partnership with the CLC Foundation
Intentionally expand financial support for student success, academic programs and services and college operations.
2.f Advance Institutional Performance
Target and improve key performance indicators—ensuring accountability, excellence, and long-term sustainability.
Priority 3 – Nurturing College Culture
Important Priority Metrics
• Great College Survey results
• Graduate follow-up results
• Student culture data
Nurturing College Culture: Create a vibrant, inclusive environment where every employee is valued, empowered, and inspired—knowing that when our people thrive, our students succeed.
3.a Define and Live the “Culture of Caring”
Establish a shared understanding of what our Culture of Caring means—with clearly articulated values and behaviors that guide our daily work.
3.b Champion Transparency and Voice
Foster a culture rooted in open communication, inclusive dialogue, and meaningful participation in college-wide decisions.
3.c Prioritize Collaboration and Cross-Campus Learning
Break down silos by expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, peer learning, and shared innovation.
3.d Ensure Students Feel the CLC Culture of Caring
Ensure that students not only hear about our Culture of Caring—but genuinely feel it in every interaction and experience on campus.
3.e Grow Leadership at Every Level
Develop leadership capacity across the college—equipping all employees to lead with purpose, courage, and compassion.
Priority 4 – Accelerating Community Impact
Important Priority Metrics
• Community impact metric
Accelerating Community Impact: Expand CLC’s role as a regional catalyst for economic growth, social mobility, and community vitality through strategic partnerships, workforce innovation, and alumni engagement.
4.a Strengthen Community Partnerships
Deepen collaboration with local organizations, schools, and civic leaders to drive collective impact.
4.b Enhance Industry Relationships for Regional Growth
Enhance and expand strategic alliances with industry partners to ensure programs align with real-time workforce needs.
4.c Elevate Workforce Solutions as a Regional Resource
Grow awareness, access, and use of Workforce Solutions to meet employer demands and advance economic opportunity.
4.d Ignite Alumni Engagement
Activate alumni as champions, mentors, and contributors to student success and institutional growth.
4.e Align Programs with Economic Mobility
Ensure every academic program leads to a living wage and real upward mobility.
COLLEGE PLANNING DOCUMENTS
Academic and Student Affairs Master Plan (pdf)
Diversity Equity and Inclusion Plan (pdf)