Strategic Plan
2027-2030

Strategic planning is not merely an administrative exercise; it is an essential practice that transforms vision into reality. Throughout our college’s history, since its founding in 1967, we have witnessed firsthand how thoughtful planning catalyzes meaningful change. Our previous strategic initiatives have yielded remarkable results – including expanded access programs that have opened doors for underserved populations, enhanced student support services that have improved completion rates, and strengthened community partnerships that have created new pathways for student success.

These achievements underscore a fundamental truth: Planning provides the framework necessary for sustained progress. Without a clear strategic direction, even the most well-intentioned efforts can become fragmented and lose momentum. Our Strategic Plan 2027-2030 ensures that every initiative, every resource allocation and every decision we make supports our greater purpose of student and community empowerment.

This strategic plan will serve as our institutional compass, guiding us through the complexities of higher education's evolving landscape. It provides the structure within which innovation may flourish, ensuring that our creative energies are channeled toward outcomes that matter most. The plan establishes clear priorities, measurable objectives and accountability mechanisms that will enable De Anza College to not only adapt to change but to lead it.

Our commitment to data-informed analysis and action permeates every aspect of this plan. By grounding our strategies in evidence and continuously monitoring our progress through leading and lagging indicators, we create a culture of continuous improvement that benefits every stakeholder. This approach ensures that our resources are invested wisely and that our efforts produce tangible results for those we serve.

The Strategic Plan 2027-2030 is anchored by three transformative goals that reflect De Anza College’s deepest values and highest aspirations.

Creating Equitable Access and Pathways

Creating equitable access and pathways for students forms the cornerstone of our mission. Through this strategic focus, we will dismantle barriers that have historically prevented students from accessing quality education. We will expand our outreach efforts, enhance our support services, and develop innovative programs that meet students where they are, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Elevating Equitable Engagement and Success

Elevating equitable engagement and success for students drives our commitment to ensuring that access is only the beginning of the student journey. Once students join our community, we will provide them with the tools, resources and support needed to thrive. This means creating inclusive learning environments, implementing culturally responsive pedagogies and developing wraparound services that address the whole student experience, resulting in measurable outcomes and opportunities for our students.

Galvanizing Community Impact and Innovation

Galvanizing community impact and innovation reflects our understanding that De Anza College's success is inextricably linked to the vitality of our surrounding communities. We will strengthen our partnerships with local organizations, expand our workforce development programs and serve as a catalyst for economic and social progress throughout our region, while supporting innovation, transformation and the holistic needs of our students.

Effective leadership requires more than responding to immediate challenges. It demands the ability to envision a better future and chart a course toward it. This strategic plan embodies that kind of forward-thinking leadership. It reflects our collective commitment to excellence and our unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.

The plan also recognizes that leadership is not the responsibility of a single individual or office, but rather a shared commitment that extends throughout our entire college community. Faculty members, classified professionals, administrators, students and community partners all play vital roles in bringing this vision to life. By aligning our efforts around common goals, we multiply our impact and create momentum that will carry us toward unprecedented achievements.

The future that awaits De Anza College is truly boundless. With this strategic plan as our guide, we are positioned to achieve extraordinary things for our students and our community. We will expand access to education, enhance student success, drive innovation and serve as a model for other institutions seeking to create positive change.

This plan equips us with the tools we need to navigate uncertainty, capitalize on opportunities and overcome challenges. It provides a framework for making difficult decisions that align with our mission while maintaining focus on what matters most. Most importantly, it creates a shared sense of purpose that will unite our community around a common vision of excellence.

As we embark on this exciting journey, it is important to note that members of our community have engaged in formulating this strategic plan and bringing it to life. Students, faculty, classified staff professionals, administrators and members of our community have all participated in a series of governance meetings, town halls, reflective exercises and more to submit their input into this important planning document. Your contributions have been essential to our success.

The Strategic Plan 2027-2030 is more than a document – it is a promise to our students, our community and ourselves. It is a commitment to excellence, equity and innovation. It is a road map to a future where De Anza College continues to serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity for all who seek to transform their lives through education.

Together, we will turn this vision into reality. Together, we will achieve greatness. Together, we will build a legacy of which we can all be proud.

With unwavering optimism and determination,

Omar J. Torres, Ed.D.
President, De Anza College