Roxbury Community College
Strategic Framework Initiative
Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Thinking at Roxbury Community College
Understanding how vision, planning, and execution align to transform student lives and strengthen the Roxbury community.
Three Levels, One Mission
At Roxbury Community College, strategic vision, tactical planning, and operational execution work together as an integrated system. The Roxbury 2030 Strategic Plan and the 5Ps Framework (Purpose, People, Place, Programs, Partnerships) serve as the alignment engine, ensuring that every decision—from the Board to the classroom—advances our mission of economic mobility and community transformation.
RCC's Journey to 2030: Becoming a National Model
Our strategic roadmap charts the path from today to 2030, with clear milestones for apprenticeships, industry partnerships, completion rates, and graduate earnings.
The Vision
Long-term direction and institutional identity. Defines why RCC exists and where it's headed.
- Timeframe: 3-5 years
- Decision-makers: President, Board of Trustees
- Focus: Mission, vision, competitive positioning
The Pathways
Medium-term initiatives that translate strategy into action. Defines how goals will be achieved.
- Timeframe: 6 months - 2 years
- Decision-makers: VPs, Deans, Department Heads
- Focus: Programs, resource allocation, policies
The Experience
Day-to-day execution and student-facing activities. Defines what happens right now.
- Timeframe: Daily, weekly, monthly
- Decision-makers: Faculty, advisors, staff
- Focus: Teaching, advising, student services
Integration in Action: The A2M Program
A2M Workforce Accelerator
The "Associate's to Master's" program is a flagship partnership between RCC and Northeastern University, designed to provide debt-free pathways into the biotech sector.
"Create a national model for economic mobility by linking community college students directly to high-wage biotech careers."
Decision: Formalize partnership with Northeastern University.
"Develop articulated curriculum maps, secure scholarship funding, and design a wraparound support model."
Decision: Allocate faculty release time for curriculum design.
"Advisors guide students through transfer applications, faculty teach aligned biotech labs, staff process financial aid."
Action: Daily student coaching and instruction.
The 5Ps: RCC's Alignment Engine
The 5Ps Framework ensures that strategic vision translates directly into tactical decisions and operational behaviors.
How the 5Ps Drive Alignment
- Common Language: Creates a unified vocabulary across all levels (Board to Staff)
- Decision Filter: Tactical leaders evaluate initiatives by asking "Does this advance a specific P?"
- Resource Driver: Budget requests must link to one or more of the 5Ps
- Assessment Metric: Institutional effectiveness measured by progress in each P domain
Interactive Examples: Explore Goals by Level
Click on any example below to see detailed information about timeframes, decision-makers, actions, and key metrics.
Expand Debt-Free Pathways to High-Wage Careers
Leverage RCC's free tuition and existing PBI designation to create zero-cost pathways from associate to master's degrees.
Become a National Model for Economic Mobility
Position RCC as the leading community college for transforming low-income students into high-wage earners.
Expand Campus Facilities and Technology Infrastructure
Modernize physical and digital spaces to support 21st-century learning and workforce development.
Performance Dashboard
Track key performance indicators across Strategic, Tactical, and Operational levels. This dashboard provides real-time visibility into RCC's progress toward its goals.
Strategic Level KPIs
These metrics measure RCC's long-term institutional impact and competitive positioning. Strategic KPIs typically show results over 3-5+ years and are reviewed quarterly by senior leadership.
Graduate Median Earnings
Median earnings of graduates 3 years after completion
Transfer Rate to 4-Year Institutions
Percentage of graduates who transfer within 2 years
Debt-Free Pathway Enrollment
Students enrolled in A2M and other debt-free pathways
Community Partnership Agreements
Active employer and community partnerships
How to Use This Dashboard
1. Monitor Progress
Check your level's KPIs regularly. Green "On Track" indicators mean you're at 80%+ of target. Orange "Needs Attention" means action is required.
2. Understand Trends
Trend arrows show direction of change. Up arrows are positive for most metrics (except processing time, where down is better). Stable means consistent performance.
3. Take Action
If a metric needs attention, discuss with your supervisor. Use the feedback form below to report barriers or suggest improvements that could move the needle.
AI Goal Classifier
Enter your goal below and receive AI-driven feedback on whether it's strategic, tactical, or operational, along with actionable recommendations.
Tip: Include timeframes, scope, and decision-makers for more accurate classification.
Department Self-Assessment Tool
Answer these 6 questions to determine whether your department operates primarily at the Strategic, Tactical, or Operational level—and get tailored recommendations for improving alignment.
1. What is the primary timeframe for your department's current initiatives?
2. Who typically makes the final decisions on your department's major initiatives?
3. What is the primary focus of your department's work?
4. How does your department measure success?
5. What type of changes does your department typically implement?
6. How much of your budget goes toward maintaining existing operations vs. new initiatives?
Submit Feedback or Questions
Have questions about the strategic framework? Want to share an example from your department? Need clarification on how to apply these concepts? We want to hear from you.
Note: Feedback is reviewed by the Institutional Effectiveness Office. You will receive a response within 3-5 business days. For urgent matters, please contact your supervisor directly.
Hear from Our Champions
Framework Champions share their experiences implementing strategic thinking across RCC and the impact it's had on student success.
Strategic Planning in Higher Education
A comprehensive guide for educational leaders on navigating strategic planning with shared governance and stakeholder engagement.
Duration: 12:34
Mastering Strategic Thinking
Essential lessons in leadership and strategic thinking for educational institutions, with practical frameworks and real-world applications.
Duration: 8:15
Student Success Stories
Hear from students whose lives were transformed by RCC's integrated approach to strategic planning and operational excellence.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Strategic Drift
The strategic plan becomes "shelfware"—a document created for accreditation but ignored in daily decision-making.
"We have a great plan, but we're too busy to look at it."
Tactical Silos
Departments optimize for their own metrics rather than the holistic student journey, creating administrative barriers.
"That's a Financial Aid problem, not an Academic Affairs problem."
Operational Myopia
Staff are so consumed by daily crises ("firefighting") that they cannot implement process improvements or long-term fixes.
"I don't have time to think about next semester; I have a line of students now."
The Cost of Misalignment
When these levels disconnect, the student experience becomes fragmented. Students fall through the cracks between "Admissions," "Financial Aid," and "Academics."
Key Takeaways
Strategic Provides Vision
The "Why" — defining purpose and long-term direction
Tactical Provides Pathways
The "How" — translating vision into programs and policies
Operational Provides Experience
The "Now" — delivering daily student interactions
"When these three levels lock together, we transform not just the institution, but the lives of our students and the Roxbury community."
Roxbury 2030 is not just a plan. It is our daily practice.