Planning
Phase one focuses on establishing the operational and financial foundation necessary to deliver a consistent, student-centered experience across Seattle Colleges and position the institution for long-term success.
Phase one of the initiative will focus on operational alignment and fiscal sustainability. They are not the destination. They are the means through which Seattle Colleges will create a unified student experience and improve student success outcomes.
They also align with Seattle Colleges 2024-2034 Strategic Plan, Goal 4: Effective and Sustainable Organizational Structure and Practices.
The initiative will assess, design, and implement improvements that strengthen Seattle Colleges' ability to operate as a coordinated enterprise.
Objectives
- Clarify governance and decision-making structures
- Establish enterprise accountability systems
- Improve cross-college collaboration
- Develop student-facing consistency standards
- Identify shared-service opportunities
- Improve operational effectiveness
- Establish enterprise performance management processes
The initiative will support Seattle Colleges' efforts to create a sustainable financial foundation that supports current and future student success.
Objectives
- Eliminate the remaining structural deficit
- Helping achieve a balanced budget
- Improve financial stewardship
- Align resources with institutional priorities
- Support enrollment recovery efforts
- Identify opportunities for operational efficiency
- Create long-term financial sustainability
Other Planning Aspects and Resources
The initiative will maintain an active enterprise risk management process.
Key Risks
- Change fatigue
- Loss of momentum
- Resistance to change
- Fiscal stabilization delays
- Resource constraints
- Competing priorities
- Technology limitations
- Student service disruptions
Risk Review Schedule
- Monthly Executive Steering Committee review
- Bi-Monthly DWLT review
- Quarterly Chancellor review
- Quarterly Board updates
The initiative will utilize a distributed leadership model.
Core Resources
- Chancellor
- Executive Advisor
- Executive Cabinet
- Presidents
- Vice Chancellors
- Functional Executive Sponsors
- District-Wide Leadership Team
- Institutional Research
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Student Affairs