Ocean County College’s Mission and Guiding Principles form the foundation of the College’s Strategic Plan. In addition, the Strategic Plan is informed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s Standards.  The strategic plan establishes a 5-year cycle of institutional goals and objectives. It is measured through Key Performance Indicators.  Progress is monitored through biannual reporting and assessments. The Planning and Budgeting Council Process is a means ensures planning, resources, and improvements are aligned with each other and are sufficient for the institution to fulfill its mission and goals, to continuously assess and improve its programs and services, and to respond effectively to opportunities and challenges. In addition, the Planning and Budgeting Council provides units with needed resources that fall outside of the normal budgets. All units are able to make New Money Requests for specific objectives which are vetted by area vice-presidents, presented to the PBC, and prioritized for funding. The Planning and Budgeting Council Process is informed by both Academic Assessment Processes and Administrative and Educational Support Processes. The Academic Processes are supported by and include:

• The Academic Master Plan which sets priorities for Academic Units and Programs
• Institutional Learning Outcomes Assessment that focuses on the assessment of the General Education curriculum. This is conducted on a 3 year cycle via a course embedded approach and utilizes VALUE rubrics
• Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment. Within this assessment, quantitative and qualitative data informs new program development and the assessment of existing programs
• Academic Program Assessment. This includes program learning outcomes and Program review. Program Review is an ongoing, faculty-based evaluated. This improves the quality of instructional programs

The Administrative and Educational Support Processes are supported by and include:

• Integrated Planning- Master Plans such as:
  • Academic Master Plan
  • Technology Strategic Plan
  • Strategic Enrollment Management Plan
  • Facilities Master Plan
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan
• Unit-level Planning
  • Annual objectives tied to Unit Goals and Strategic Goals
  • Targets and Measures are set
  • Progress updates- next steps tie into following fiscal year and budget requests
• AES Unit Review
  • 5year comprehensive review of unit
  • Analysis of planning documents, outcomes
  • Formulation of future plans
  • Prompts new money requests for PBC

Both Academic and Administrative Processes are supported through the assessment cycle. The assessment cycle includes:

1. The development of plans
2. Setting measures and targets
3. Deploying an action plan
4. Collecting data
5. Analyzing and evaluating outcomes
6. Next steps/ future initiatives which then inform the development of plans and continues the cycle