The purpose of Strategic Planning is to evaluate and create a niche in the environment in which the organization can successfully compete and improve its performance through alignment of goals and objectives and prioritization of resource allocation.

Strategic Planning at GateWay is the process of matching the strengths and distinctive characteristics of the College with the unique and emerging needs of its students and the community. An essential component of GateWay Community College's ongoing efforts to work with businesses and community leaders is to identify educational and training needs. The following strategic issues have surfaced, and are targeted, as being significantly important to the future of GateWay:

MASTER PLAN

As our community continues to grow, and as the demand for highly trained employees in a wide range of occupations increases, GateWay Community College must expand in order to meet the needs of the community, and of business and industry. With this growth, and with workforce demands, GateWay has proactively used the College Strategic Plan to guide GateWay’s master planning process.

Included in GateWay’s strategic plan are concrete areas in which the College will grow, with increased enrollment due to the following:

• Population growth.
• The positioning of the light rail station on campus.
• The expansion of general education offerings and expanded partnerships.
• Strengthened ties with Arizona State University.
• The addition of future programs as they are dictated by the demands of business and industry.

Currently, GateWay’s buildings are meeting the needs for today, with no room for growth. In order to meet the needs for increased enrollment, the GateWay master planning committee, which included broad participation from employees, community, and corporate stakeholders, collaboratively created a vision for the future of the College. As GateWay continues to grow, the strategic plan calls for increasing comprehensiveness through the expansion of general education offerings and new, externally focused partnerships. The planning process resulted in a 50% growth in facilities, and will provide the following:

Student Services Center

• Career Center
• Enrollment Center (financial aid, admissions, advising, and disability services)
• Expanded Recruitment Area
• Center for Student Life
• Support Services Center
• Athletic Department
• International and ESL Student Center
• ACE Program
• Counseling
• Cyber Café
• Community Library and Computer Commons
• Large computer commons area
• New library with expanded collection and service areas.
• Community and classroom meeting spaces, story room, and more.

Classroom and Lab Buildings

• New cutting-edge technology classrooms, labs, and other learning space to support enrollment growth.
• Electronic learning space.
• Informal social and meeting space.
• Wellness Center
• Fitness Center.
• Fitness classrooms, athletic training area, and locker rooms.
• Wellness Education Center.
• Security and Warehouse Building
• College Safety Department.
  Warehouse and receiving facilities.

The Multi-Purpose Center, funded through a 1994 bond revenue, is proposed to break ground in 2006. This facility will provide space for education and training, community and cultural events, and flexible meeting space.
In addition to GateWay’s main campus expansion, a new Downtown Phoenix Education Center will also be created in partnership with ASU and TGen, and will include classrooms, computer and science labs, and conference areas. A new Healthcare Training Facility will also be constructed at the Williams Center as a partnership between GateWay and Chandler-Gilbert and Mesa Community Colleges.

GateWay is responsibly planning to meet the continuously changing needs and incredible growth of our community and workforce through our unrelenting pursuit to provide accessible and affordable education for all.

SERVING THE RISING HISPANIC POPULATION

GateWay is growing. This growth is due to increases in enrollments of minority students—particularly Hispanic students. Census data indicates that the Hispanic population in the community surrounding GateWay grew by more than 2,000 persons per square mile between 1990 and 2000. This data suggests that this trend will continue.

INCREASING COMPREHENSIVENESS

GateWay’s strategic plan calls for the College to become increasingly comprehensive in its programs and services. GateWay is expanding the number and types of general education offerings available for students. Fine arts and specialized cultural enrichment programs are offered through grant programs and collaborations with public and private agencies.

UNIQUE PROGRAM OFFERINGS

GateWay offers many programs that are unique among the Maricopa Community Colleges. For this reason, the College draws students from around the entire Valley and, with the addition of the Light Rail, there promises to be broader access to College programs and services. GateWay provides both a charter high school and the Maricopa Skill Center, which successfully address many of the unique needs of the community. GateWay is committed to continuing to meet the emerging training needs of business and industry, while increasing the comprehensiveness of on-campus offerings.

PARTNERSHIP POTENTIALS

Historically, one of GateWay’s great strengths has been the ability to develop programs to meet the demands of business and industry. A number of initiatives have focused attention on the need for collaborative educational partnerships, particularly in downtown Phoenix. The presence of the biotechnology industry will affect the education and training needs of the area and we must be responsive to those needs.