The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) supports the college in addressing key challenges, capitalizing on unique opportunities, and enhancing institutional impact for the benefit of students, faculty, and staff, particularly in relation to economic and workforce development. We work with departments across the college and maintain strategic external partnerships to achieve specific goals that align with the college’s Theory of Change, institutional effectiveness metrics, and core mission. Each initiative is assessed for impact on student success and/or institutional effectiveness and supported for long-term sustainability and scale.
Featured Initiatives
Strategic Initiative Lifecycle
1. Proposal: New strategic initiatives are proposed to OSI by, or on behalf of, members of ACC’s Cabinet
2. Value & Impact Assessment: Concepts are evaluated for institutional value and potential for high-level impact.
3. Initial Engagement: Stakeholders align on core goals, resource availability, and the institutional commitment required.
4. Capacity Audit: The organization’s practical ability to implement and scale the concept is rigorously assessed.
5. Foundational Documentation: Initial drafting begins for project goals, partner roles, and formal partnership agreements.
1. Initiative Kick-off: Partners convene to solidify timelines and clarify roles, ensuring all stakeholder queries are addressed.
2. Charter & Roadmap Development: Formal project plans are established to define actionable outcomes and clear accountability.
3. OSI-Led Implementation: OSI drives the initial momentum, managing agendas, coordinating partners, and providing direct mentorship.
4. Transition Benchmarking: Clear “Transition Targets” are defined to determine exactly what successful integration will look like.
1. Leadership Transition: Primary initiative leadership shifts to the Implementation Partner, with OSI moving into a consultative and troubleshooting role.
2. Process Codification: Policies, procedures, and contracts are finalized to ensure new processes are ready for long-term operational hand-off.
3. System Advocacy: OSI continues to monitor progress and advocate for the initiative as it becomes embedded in institutional workflows.
1. Goal Fulfillment: Formal recognition that the stated objectives for OSI’s direct involvement have been met.
2. Value Assessment: Transparent reporting on the initiative’s impact, including students served, staff engaged, and total funds secured.
3. Performance Audit: A final assessment of original objectives versus actual achievements to capture institutional learning.
4. Sustainability Assignment: All ongoing roles are clearly assigned and resourced for the future.