Strategic Bridge Plan 2023-2024
A bridge plan is a short-term strategic plan that “bridges” the gap between strategic plan cycles. While a strategic plan usually covers a 3–5 year horizon and takes 9–12 months to create, a bridge plan only covers a 1–2 year horizon and takes about 3–5 months to create. Often, a bridge plan is best designed as an extension of the existing plan. It’s more streamlined and focused than a regular strategic plan, and it centers on tactics aligned with an existing strategic focus. (From What Is a Bridge Plan?, SCUP, 2022. See References section.)
Bridge Plan Strategies
The ten board-approved strategies for the 2023-24 Bridge Plan for Seattle Colleges, organized by strategic plan goals, are as follows:
| GOAL | STRATEGY | LEAD |
| Student Success | Financial Aid Consolidation Planning | Joe Barrientos |
| Student Success | Admissions Processing Consolidation Planning | Dr. Bradley Lane |
| Student Success | Guided Pathways – Intake and Onboarding | Dr. Sayumi Irey |
| Student Success | Guided Pathways – Exploratory Experience | Dr. Sayumi Irey |
| Student Success | Guided Pathways – Placement | Dr. Sayumi Irey |
| Student Success | Guided Pathways – Program Mapping | Dr. Sayumi Irey |
| Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community | Racial Equity Action Plan | D’Andre Fisher |
| Organizational Excellence | Budget | Julienne DeGeyter |
| Organizational Excellence | Employee Retention | Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap |
| Partnerships | Equity Can't Wait Campaign | Kerry Howell |
In early 2022, the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees authorized the extension of the current strategic plan to remain effective until July 2024. Since then, turnover in the chancellor role, an unanticipated budget situation, and several leadership changes have occurred.
To address this situation, a Bridge Plan was proposed to offer a refreshed and focused sense of direction while addressing critical priorities. At its February 9, 2023, meeting, the board unanimously approved the administration’s recommendation to implement the Bridge Plan.
The Bridge Plan will strengthen the critical infrastructure that supports students with minimum impact on instructional programs or curriculum. The Bridge Plan will serve as a top-level version of our Operational Plan(s) and will focus Seattle Colleges’ limited resources on providing equitable experiences for students in key student-facing, non-instructional areas through Summer 2024 in anticipation of finalization of a new strategic plan in Fall 2024.
For Reference
- Bridge Plan Presentation to Board of Trustees. February 9, 2023.
- What Is a Bridge Plan? Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). July 6, 2022.
Timeline
Winter 2023
- Complete work of Bridge Plan development (finalize goals / metrics).
- Update Operational Plans for utilization in 2023-24 budget development process.
- Develop reporting mechanisms for monitoring progress and impact of the Bridge Plan work.
Spring 2023
- Begin / continue formal work of the Bridge Plan strategies.
- Report progress on Bridge Plan strategies. Refine as necessary.
- Permanent chancellor is appointed.
- Begin preliminary work of new Strategic Plan process.
Summer 2023
- Continue formal work of the Bridge Plan strategies.
- Report progress on Bridge Plan strategies. Refine as necessary.
- Permanent chancellor begins.
- Begin new Strategic Plan process.
Fall 2023
- Continue / complete formal work of the Bridge Plan strategies.
- Report progress on Bridge Plan strategies. Refine as necessary.
- Continue new Strategic Plan process.
Winter 2024
- Continue / complete formal work of the Bridge Plan strategies.
- Report progress on Bridge Plan strategies. Refine as necessary.
- Continue new Strategic Plan process.
Spring 2024
- Continue / complete formal work of the Bridge Plan strategies.
- Report results of Bridge Plan.
Summer 2024
- Complete Bridge Plan phase of work.
Fall 2024
- Finalize new Strategic Plan.
Bridge Plan Updates
The following high-level summary was presented to the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees on April 11, 2024. It provides an overview of the Winter 2024 progress, milestones, challenges, and next steps of the 10 Seattle Colleges District (SCD) Bridge Plan strategies. Detailed information for each strategy is further outlined in the subsequent pages of this report.
The following high-level summary, presented to the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees on December 14, 2023, provides an overview of the Fall 2023 progress, milestones, challenges, and next steps of the 10 Seattle Colleges District (SCD) Bridge Plan strategies. Detailed information for each strategy is further outlined in the subsequent pages of this report.
Members of the Strategic Planning Logistics Committee offered a presentation to 350+ employees gathered for Fall Quarter Convocation on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. The video for that presentation is below.
During the event a dynamic poll was taken regarding Seattle Colleges Strategic Plan. See the results of this poll.
The following high-level summary, presented to the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees on June 8, 2023, provides an overview of the spring 2023 progress, milestones, challenges, and next steps of the 10 Seattle Colleges District (SCD) Bridge Plan strategies. Detailed information for each strategy is further outlined in the subsequent pages of this report.
Note: the page numbers reflect the placement in the overall board of trustees information packet.