By Kylie Lancaster\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College President Debbie Ricker has proposed a new strategic plan that aims to evaluate academic programs based on return on investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ricker said she believes that college programs should be held financially accountable, despite hearing feedback that the term \u201cROI\u201d does not align well with academic institutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think we always have to be accountable for the return on investment, specifically the investment that a student makes in their tuition dollars to this college,\u201d Ricker said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ROI evaluations she proposes would take place during the academic program reviews that occur every five years. The reviews give academic departments a chance to evaluate how their programs can evolve and assess their future at the institution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOften, through this process, many academic programs have continued or have been revised significantly,\u201d Ricker said. \u201cSome academic programs have been discontinued, and that\u2019s always a hard decision to make, but with the discontinuation of a program often will come the ability to reallocate costs or reallocate expenses to support other strategic goals of the college, or could generate savings for the college overall.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ricker sees the ROI evaluation as a way for Hood College to be competitive with other institutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The president believes that the return is shown through the success of students after they graduate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The return, if you will, that is shown through our graduates\u2019 success,\u201d Ricker said. \u201cIt\u2019s incredible, and I will stand it up against any college or university, but as a college, we have to be accountable for that, and we should be.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed strategic plan features six priorities: proving the value of a Hood College education, owning our backyard, focusing and differentiating academically, enhancing the student experience and belonging, ensuring financial sustainability and investing in Hood’s people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees, which will vote on it at its June meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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