Learning Resources

Abstract: Affordable and accessible higher education is key to upward mobility and community transformation, especially for many rural and remote suburban communities that have limited access to resources. In this session, we'll explore the potential synergies between existing community colleges and their satellite locations. How can institutions drive community-engaged development in places that really need it? Is it better to build on existing assets or to build new? Discover how a community charted its own path toward a new college campus by organizing, passing a bond, and ultimately developing a tech-enabled, high flex learning environment with community space.

Abstract: Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) has transformed its college model to address crucial issues such as demographic changes, meeting the needs of non-traditional students, and empowering underserved populations. To support and provide better access to a wider range of constituents, PGCC is reimagining their campus to elevate the community college experience while exploring the creation of two new full-service campuses. Come learn how the new PGCC campus model is meeting short and long-term needs that will serve broader populations, support evolving academic programs and workforce needs, and reduce educational inequities in the college system.

Abstract: Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of learning space is now an essential tool for institutions to align capital decisions with student performance. We will explore exemplary active-learning environments and the evaluation methodology we used to measure how these environments have elicited learning behaviors that foster student engagement. You will learn which aspects of the learning environment are important to measure, how to measure them, and how the collected data connects to metrics that matter to institutions.

Abstract: Environmental features can have a profound impact on social, mental, and physical health and wellness. This session will provide an in-depth look at integrated planning initiatives to create a framework of policies, systems, and environments that advance campus health and wellness. You will learn one campus's holistic approach to wellness for its students, staff, and faculty, and how master planning and landscape design efforts aligned to wellness initiatives.

Abstract: FLEXSpace—The Flexible Learning Environments eXchange—and the Learning Space Rating System (LSRS) are tools that can help you plan, design, assess, and improve learning spaces on your campus. In this session, you will learn about the newly released FLEXspace 2.0 along with the LSRS. We'll cover the features and benefits of both tools and how they can be incorporated into the planning process. Come learn how to use these tools to inform designs and support end users from planning through post occupancy.

Abstract: Institutions must work across silos to meet students’ needs through innovation and creativity. With a focus on integrating planning and student success, this session will explore Monroe Community College's (MCC) framework for reaching the overarching goal of improving student outcomes. We will share replicable examples of tactics for aligning strategies, allocating resources, and selecting relevant metrics to measure success. Through the implementation of a strategic plan, learn from MCC's example to optimize integrated planning, strategy development, resource allocation, assessment metrics, and accountability at your institution.

Abstract: A new, statewide accessibility policy along with rapidly changing technology spurred Washington's community and technical colleges to develop and adopt a more collaborative strategic planning process. This session will review a statewide technology accessibility planning process, how it was jumpstarted, and demonstrate tools that you can use to lead more collaborative planning processes at your institution.

Abstract: Literature points out that big data and analytics (BDA) still fails to positively influence institutional planning—even though it's promoted as a novel approach to improving efficiency and effectiveness. What limits the usefulness of BDA? Researchers point to a lack of conceptual models that translate information into meaningful signals. Nonsense! We're using a metrics-based planning framework that's producing remarkable outcomes. We'll share our framework and how you can apply this concept at your institution.

Abstract: Green infrastructure uses the landscape to manage stormwater. This session will explore the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) successful pilot green infrastructure project. We'll review the characteristics and benefits of green infrastructure in general, along with the accelerated design and construction process for this project in particular. We'll also share measurable results from the green infrastructure, and how the project has impacted the campus.

Abstract: Strategic planners must engage a wide variety of important stakeholders in strategic planning. Fast-paced, high-impact, productive planning retreats can achieve this goal in a one day. We will discuss how we planned and implemented an 8-hour strategic planning retreat with over 100 participants, including faculty, staff, partners, friends, and students. We will cover how we prepared both facilitators and participants, and share specific activities to engage stakeholders in strategic discussions that contribute to innovation solutions and ideas for the strategic plan.