Victor Valley Community College District

Victor Valley College

Chapter 4:

Environmental Scan:  Assumptions About The Future

1.         Introduction

District programs, services, stability, and demographics are influenced in large measure by forces and trends external to the campus.  Changes in service area demographics, the composition of the area economy, funding decisions at the state level, and new educational mandates at the federal level have the potential to greatly impact operational aspects of Victor Valley College.  A hallmark of any quality institution is its ability to identify, understand, and proactively respond to envisioned trends and market forces.  Such is the practice of the college.  From its groundbreaking work in the early 1990s regarding forecasts of the economy of the region to the comprehensive reviews of community and campus trends in connection with earlier and current accreditation self-studies, Victor Valley College places great value in efforts to better understand the ever-changing environment in which it operates.

Clearly, District policy decisions are influenced by trends and events in the external environment.  Many of these are reflected in the students served by the District.  Some affect the careers for which students are prepared.  Others influence District responsibilities and the ability of the District to fulfill its responsibilities.  The purpose of this environmental scan is to provide decision makers with explanatory context and to anticipate environmental change which may require a future policy response.