Strategic Plan
Strategic Planning at HCC
Strategic planning has become the cornerstone of how we advance our mission to Educate. Inspire. Connect. Our journey began in 2017 and continued in 2021 when we refreshed our plan amid pandemic disruptions and growing awareness of social justice issues. The resulting 2023-26 Strategic Plan reflected our evolution and deepened commitment to equity and student success. Now, we embark on Strategic Plan 3.0 under the leadership of President George Timmons, reflecting our commitment to ensuring that the transformative work we do every day continues to evolve and respond to our students and community. Strategic planning at HCC is how we honor our past achievements while boldly shaping our future.
Strategic Plan 3.0: Fall 2025 Progress Update
A Message from President George Timmons
As we close this fall semester, I am filled with gratitude for the remarkable engagement our community has shown in shaping the future of Holyoke Community College. Strategic Plan 3.0 has been a collective effort that belongs to all of us. Our students, faculty, staff, board members and community partners have shown up with courage, creativity, and commitment to ensure HCC continues to serve as a beacon of opportunity and excellence for our region.
This semester, we embarked on an ambitious journey together. We asked big questions. We listened deeply. We dreamed boldly about what HCC can become—a future-focused, student-centered institution that meets the evolving needs of our community while staying true to our mission of transforming lives through accessible, high-quality education.
The Power of Collective Voice
When I look across all the engagement opportunities we hosted this fall, I am inspired by what we accomplished together. Hundreds of members of our community—students, employees, trustees, and regional leaders—took part in articulating the challenges we face, the opportunities before us, and the areas where HCC can elevate its impact. This level of participation reflects the deep investment our community has in HCC's success and the future we are building together.
OUR FALL 2025 JOURNEY
Explore photos from our Student Experience Workshop and Community Conversation here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196531757@N06/albums/72177720330970811/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196531757@N06/albums/72177720330996189
Strategic Plan 3.0 Kickoff
We launched this process by examining national trends in higher education and conducting a comprehensive SWOT analysis, gathering honest input about our institutional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This foundation helped us understand the landscape we're navigating and the distinctive role HCC plays within it.
Student Experience Workshop
Perhaps most importantly, we created space to hear directly from those at the heart of our mission—our students. This workshop offered us the opportunity to engage deeply with their perspectives: what they love about HCC, what they wish were different, and how we can best serve them and future students. Their voices will remain central as we move forward.
Future Summit
Our campus community came together for a transformative day of learning and visioning. Board Chair Vanessa Smith reminded us that this strategic plan belongs to the entire HCC community and will be shaped by our collective input. We were privileged to learn from three nationally recognized thought leaders:
- Josh Wyner from the Aspen Institute challenged us to improve transfer outcomes, strengthen workforce programs, and overhaul advising to ensure our credentials lead to both good jobs and bachelor's degree attainment.
- Kate McConnell from AAC&U inspired us to modernize teaching with high-impact practices, authentic assessment, and AI-aware pedagogy that builds long-term learning and adaptability.
- David Trujillo from Trujillo & Associates called us to center people, culture, and equity in our work—pursuing systemic, community-responsive change supported by professional development and continuous improvement.
In breakout sessions, participants drafted powerful impact statements on topics ranging from labor-market alignment and advising transformation to equity and access, and community partnerships. These conversations are already informing the measurable objectives that will drive Strategic Plan 3.0.
Community Conversation
We gathered with a distinguished panel of regional leaders for a breakfast conversation that brought external perspectives into our planning process. Many of you were around the tables to take part in these conversations. Through facilitated table discussions, community members explored opportunities, challenges, and big questions facing higher education and our region. Their input is helping us understand how HCC can best serve as an anchor institution and partner in addressing our community's most pressing needs.
The Steering Committee's Leadership
Throughout this process, our Strategic Plan 3.0 Steering Committee has provided invaluable guidance and facilitation. Members served as table captains for our Student Experience Workshop and Community Conversation, and helped navigate the rich discussions at our Future Summit. Their dedication exemplifies the collaborative leadership that makes HCC special.
I also want to express deep appreciation to our faculty, deans, and program directors who participated throughout these events, bringing both their expertise and their openness to new ideas. Your engagement sends a powerful message about our institutional culture and our commitment to continuous improvement.
Looking Ahead to Spring 2026
The work we’ve done this fall is just the beginning. In the spring semester, the strategic plan themes will take greater shape as we synthesize the feedback and data we’ve gathered and translate them into concrete strategies and goals. We will continue to engage our community in meaningful ways, ensuring that Strategic Plan 3.0 truly reflects our collective aspirations and addresses the real challenges our students face.
A Community Committed to Excellence
What strikes me most about this fall's work is not just the quantity of participation, but the quality of engagement. People came prepared. They listened to one another. They challenged assumptions respectfully. They offered creative solutions. They kept students at the center of every conversation.
This is who we are at HCC—a community that believes in the transformative power of education and in our responsibility to make that transformation accessible to every student who walks through our doors. Together, we are building a future worthy of the students we serve and the community we call home.
Thank you for your partnership in this vital work. I look forward to our continued collaboration as we move into the next phase of Strategic Plan 3.0.
George Timmons, Ph.D.
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Please contact Kris Ricker Choleva, Director of Planning, Curriculum and Assessment with any questions.
