NMCC Policies & Procedures
Subject: The Mission and Vision of the College
Section:
Effective:   Ongoing

The Mission of the College

Northern Maine Community College provides post-secondary technical and vocational programs which lead to associate degrees, diplomas or certificates.  These one and two year programs of classroom and laboratory instruction provide individuals with the educational, occupational and technical knowledge required by the State’s citizens for employment in business, industry and government within the state.  The primary goals of the institution are to create an educated, skilled and adaptable workforce which can respond to the changing needs of the economy of the Northern Maine region and the State and to promote local, regional and statewide economic development.  Included in fulfilling these goals are programs, courses or seminars to provide training to increase the competence of employed adults, to provide specialized technical training to attract business and industry to locate in Northern Maine and to encourage business and industry now located in the region to expand.

            The following objectives guide the college in fulfilling its mission:

1. To prepare students for entry level positions in business, industry and public service.
2. To offer technically current and continually improving curricula and service.
3. To offer curricula that prepare individuals to be responsible and active citizens.
4. To broaden the students’ educational foundation to enable them to pursue lifelong learning.
5. To utilize an instructional process that allows students to achieve at their maximum potential.
6. To utilize knowledgeable public representatives to advise the college regarding curricula needs and program content.
7. To provide guidance and placement services to assist prospective students, enrolled students and graduates.
8. To provide developmental educational opportunities for individuals with special educational needs as a prerequisite for continuing their technical education.
9. To provide opportunities for students to participate in cultural, athletic and social extracurricular activities.

The Vision For NMCC

Northern Maine Community College, in fulfilling its mission, will provide quality, state-of-the-art occupational programs which will be continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary to integrate recent innovations, techniques, procedures, and revised needs of employers and graduates.  In this process, the college will work to influence the development of the whole person of all students to enhance their contribution to the betterment of the society in which we live and work.  For the employees of NMCC to achieve our vision, the elements below are essential to provide quality service and to demonstrate excellence to all we serve.
 
EFFECTIVENESS

To continue to provide quality programs and services, each employee must commit to understanding the need for and to assist in developing effective teamwork within 1) each department; 2) between departments; and 3) between divisions, with each area voluntarily supporting other areas in fulfilling the fundamental mission of service to our students.

Each employee should understand that our role in providing occupational education is in a rapid change process and that this change process is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.  This must be viewed as an opportunity to grow, learn new technology, and assist in serving as leading change agents to improve the standard of living for those individuals and constituents which NMCC serves and for the community in which we live.

QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE

At the core of an organization are its employees.  Consequently, each employee of the college is the individual who must be responsible for quality service and who must demonstrate excellence to students, employers, community leaders, and fellow employees.  The rapid development of information and technology requires each of us to grow in the knowledge and understanding of our job function.  Our motto, TOWARD EXCELLENCE, communicates two important characteristics of a dynamic college.

1. Each employee desires to provide quality service at a high degree of excellence.  As an institution educating and training individuals, each employee serves as an ambassador to all individuals who come to NMCC to learn or to visit.  As ambassadors, our actions are observed by all.  Then, to be excellent, all of our activities must be exemplary, clearly radiating an environment of truth, trust, respect, professionalism, and caring in all activities.
2. Each employee is dedicated to improving and to providing excellent service.  With each employee striving to implement improvements, the college will respond positively to expectations set forth by such external influences as the Board of Trustees, accrediting bodies, technological developments, employers’ needs, etc.

RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY NEEDS

The specific goals and objectives of the college will be refined and updated annually to reflect the MCCS goals and objectives; to respond to student and employer needs; to renew the commitment to the college’s mission; and to enhance the college’s overall effectiveness to the community and the state.

All employees are expected to continually foster the commitment to serve a diverse population of students, recognizing each individual as a person and helping that person develop from where he or she is into an understanding of the necessity to weave into the fabric of our society.

Recognizing that the state’s budget must serve diverse needs with limited revenue, all employees and especially faculty and administrators are expected to work to increase revenue sources: i.e. grants and foundation giving and to identify and implement ways to conserve available resources.

IMAGE ENHANCEMENT

By building upon the college’s reputation for providing graduates with quality occupational skills, the college will develop the perception among the publics which we serve that NMCC is the college to attend for the technical education for the future with the excellent options of 1) employment after one or two years and 2) upward educational mobility for graduates.  The college’s image is expected to convey that opportunities are available to help area residents make the transition to the workforce of the future, which requires lifelong learning and a continual updating of one’s occupational skills to assure access to and security in future jobs.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

The fulfillment of this vision will be achieved through the goals, objectives, and action plans contained in the college’s strategic plan, which will be reviewed and updated annually.