Wyoming Community Commission Statewide Strategic Plan Planning for the Future of ’s Community

Wyoming Commission Statewide Strategic Plan Planning for the Future of Wyoming’s Community Colleges

January 2010

Submitted by the Prepared by Wyoming Community College Commission MPR Associates, Inc. Ann Chambers Noble, Chair Amanda Richards Larry Atwell Laurel Sipes Charlene Bodine Carol Studier Lois Distad Sandra Staklis Jack Russell Beverly Farr Steve Skordas Laura Horn Wendy Sweeny

With assistance from former Wyoming Community College Commissioners

Don Bryant Jack States

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iii Acknowledgments

The idea for a statewide community college Stra- House Bill 114. The Legislature approved the bill tegic Plan originated from the governor’s Blue and the governor signed it into law in 2009. Ribbon Commission on community colleges in 2007 and was incorporated into legislation in 2008. The Strategic Plan is submitted by the Wyoming In summer 2008, the Community College Planning Community College Commission and was guided Task Force amplified the role of the Strategic Plan by an Advisory Council representing the Commis- in guiding the community college system, and sion, community colleges, business and industry, those expanded responsibilities became part of legislators, economic development, workforce de- velopment, education, and the public.

The Wyoming Community College Strategic Plan Advisory Council William Bender, P.G. Philip Gilbertson Ann Noble EHS Lead—Wind River Basin Resident Physician Chair EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. Wyoming Life Resource Center Wyoming Community College Riverton Lander Commission Cora Richard A. Boettcher, Jr. Darrel Hammon President, Dick Boettcher State President Lorraine K. Quarberg Farm Insurance Agency Laramie County Community Representative, Wyoming State Trustee, Western Wyoming College Legislature Community College Cheyenne Director, Thermopolis/ Rock Springs Peter M. Jorgensen Hot Springs County Economic Development Dave Bonner Representative Company Representative Wyoming State Legislature Thermopolis Wyoming State Legislature Jackson Powell Sherri Lovercheck James O. Rose Executive Director Bruce Brown President, Eastern Wyoming Wyoming Community College Former General Manager College Board of Trustees Commission McMurry Training Center Vice President, Wyoming Cheyenne Casper Association of Community College Trustees Jack Russell Randy Bruns LaGrange Commissioner President and Chief Executive Wyoming Community College Officer Bryan Monteith Commission Cheyenne LEADS Superintendent Cody Cheyenne Park County School District #6 Cody W. M. Stalcup, Jr. Kevin Drumm Business Management Consultant President Self employed Northern Wyoming Cheyenne Community College District

Sheridan iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Wyoming Community College Commission The WCCC, Advisory Council, and MPR would (WCCC), the Advisory Council, and MPR Asso- also like to thank Leslie Hall, Jolene Wun, and Ro- ciates’ researchers would like to extend our ap- sa Van Khau for providing background research preciation to the many Wyoming partners who and administrative support; John Vavricka and assisted with this project. Their insight into Janell Scott for creating the project website; and Wyoming’s community college system and the Barbara Kridl, Donna Fowler, Andrea Livingston, state’s educational priorities were an invaluable Natesh Daniel, Alicia Broadway, Martha Hoeper, resource in creating this Plan. and Patti Gildersleeve of MPR Associates for edit- ing, designing, and producing the report. MPR thanks Sherrin Bennett for her contributions as facilitator and consultant. CONTENTS v Contents

Acknowledgments iii List of Exhibits vii

INTRODUCTION 1 Planning in a Time of Economic Scarcity 2 Pursuing Excellence in Wyoming’s