Community Needs Assessment StudyResults for Central

Campus

Summer/Fall 2001Department of Planning and

Research

Last Community Survey

CPCC conducted the Citizen’s Survey in 1994 as part of the Strategic Master Plan

This survey was conducted prior to the multi-campus expansion

It was time to do another

Procedures

In the Summer of 2001• An HTML survey was developed• Invitational ads were placed in newspapers,

on the CPCC homepage and on the Fall 2001 schedule

• 198 individuals/businesses completed the on-line surveys

Procedures

The same survey was created as a scannable pencil-paper survey and approximately 350 copies were distributed by the campus Deans

• They were distributed to civic groups, participants at community events and a few students in CCE classes

• Several Deans participated heavily, others participated little or not at all

• Surveys were returned by 179 individuals/businesses

Procedures

Planning and Research offered to do two focus groups per campus

No focus groups were requested for Central

Choice of Campus

Participants were asked what Campus they would like to attend

Of the 377 participants, 178 wanted to attend the Central Campus

These data are based on the responses of those 178 participants

Demographics of Central Respondents

Gender • male 36.9%• female 63.1%

Age• 25 or less 30.1% • 26-40 36.9% • 41-50 21.6% • over 50 11.4%

The Central group was much younger than the entiresample.

Demographics, continued

Ethnicity• White 66.7% • African American 22.4%• Other minority 10.9%

Employment Status• Unemployed 20.8%• Employed 79.2%

• full-time 62.4%• part-time 11.6%

A higher percentage of the Central group was minority andemployed than the entire sample.

Central Demographics, continued

Income Level (what is your annual income)• 18.8% earned less than $19,999• 33.8% earned $20,000 - $39,999• 13.8% earned $40,000 - $59,999• 21.9% earned $60,000 - $99,999• 11.9% earned $100,000 or more

The income level of the Central group was lowerthat the entire sample.

Demographics, continued

Areas of Employment of Central Participants• 18.9% business 8.8% banking/finance• 8.2% service 7.5% education • 7.5% health 6.3% technology 3.8% engineering

3.1% transportation 3.1% computer 2.5% arts

• 30.2% other/not listed

Relationship of Central Participants to College

Participants could indicate more than one response. Participants by percent were:• 43.3% current students• 37.1% community residents

/potential students• 28.1% former students• 7.9% employers

Number of Potential Students by Household

Participants were asked “how many in your household might be interested in attending the College?”

• 17.7% indicated “none”• 75.4% indicated 1-2 individuals• 1.1% indicated 3-4 individuals• 5.7% indicated more than 4 individuals

What Would Be Your Goal in Attending CPCC

Participants could select more than one answer:

54.5% Personal interest/enrichment 36.5% Prepare for different job 34.8% Take continuing education courses 29.8% Update skills for current job 24.2% Obtain 2-yr degree and enter workforce 24.2% Obtain 2-yr degree and transfer 21.3% Obtain diploma/certificate

Goal, continued

19.7% Take a few courses and transfer 16.3% Obtain short-term training (1 sem. or less) 9.0% Improve reading, writing and math skills 6.2% Obtain high school diploma or GED 3.9% Prepare for first job 2.2% Take ESL courses

Participants could select more than one answer.

Of Those Who Preferred Central Campus (n=178)

The following % also expressed interest in attendingthe following campuses:

• South Campus 32.4%• College Without Walls 25.2%• West Campus 23.1%• North Campus 19.1%• High School Location 18.8%• Southwest Campus 16.7%• Northeast Campus 10.1%• My workplace 10.1%• City View Center 5.6%

Participants could select more than one answer.

Reason for Campus Selection

Close to home 79.2% Easy drive to and from 58.4% Close to work 51.7% Close to daycare or relatives 6.7%

Participants could select more than one answer.

Convenient Time to Take Classes

evenings 71.3% on weekends 41.0% mornings 37.1% afternoons 24.2%

Participants could select more than one answer.

Are any of the following critical to the decision to attend?

The following % answered “yes”

48.3% Tuition waivers 40.4% Federal financial aid 38.5% Scholarships

Participants could select more than one answer.

Greatest Barriers to Attending...

Available personal time 48.3% Work Schedule 44.9% Financial Resources 27.5% Time commitment 18.0% Childcare 8.4% Transportation 6.2% My formal education 5.1% My age 4.5% Understanding registration process 4.5% My disability .6% Difficulty reading the schedule .6%

Participants could select more than one answer.

Services Considered Important in Making the Decision to Attend

Percent considering service somewhat important to top priority 95.5% parking 92.6% bookstore 92.0% library 75.4% academic advising 73.6% career services and job placement 63.7% tutoring services 63.1% financial aid 59.1% food services 53.1% lifetime email address 46.6% student activities and campus life 39.7% bus transportationParticipants could select more than one answer.

Preferred Time and Method of Using These Services

Method• 58.8% via Internet/web page• 36.2% in person• 5.1% via mail

Time• 59.2% evening• 30.5% daytime• 10.3% weekends

The Best Way for Central Students to Receive Information about CPCC

63.5% CPCC catalog/schedule 45.5% Internet 42.1% newspaper 36.0% word-of-mouth 19.7% television or cable channel 9.0% radio 7.3% workplace or company newsletter 3.9% billboards

Participants could select more than one answer.

Aspects of our Mission:What They Didn’t Know

College offers pre-college programs (ESL, basic skills, adult HS, etc.) 40.4%

College offers college transfer programs 34.8% College has supportive student environment 32.6% College contributes to economy of community 34.3% College strengthens social life of community 30.3% College offers technical career programs 32.6% Quality of faculty 26.4% College meets individual student needs 21.9% College contributes to cultural life of community 20.8%

Percent responding“I don’t know”

What They Didn’t Know, continued

Provides high quality programs and services 15.7% College has variety of methods

(in-class, distance ed., etc.) 12.4% College is financially affordable 11.8% Variety of class times26.4% Commitment to lifelong learning 10.7% College has available students services 6.7% College offers a variety of programs 6.7% College has convenient locations, accessible

to work and home 2.8%

Percent responding“I don’t know”

Aspects of Our Mission -Mean Scores (How We’re Doing)

Commitment to lifelong learning 3.21 College offers a variety of programs 3.11 College has convenient locations, accessible

to work and home 3.11 College offers technical career programs 3.09 College has variety of methods

(in-class, distance education, etc.) 3.07 College offers pre-college programs

(ESL, basic skills, adult HS, etc.) 3.06 College is financially affordable 3.04

Scale 1-4 -poor, fair, good, excellent

Mean Score

How We’re Doing, continued

Provides high quality programs and services 2.97 College offers college transfer programs 2.97 Quality of faculty 2.87 College contributes to economy of community 2.84 College meets individual student needs 2.83 Variety of class times2.81 College contributes to cultural life of community 2.79 College strengthens social life of community 2.77 College has available students services 2.76 College has supportive student environment 2.69

Scale 1-4 - poor, fair, good, excellent

Mean Score

Participants Were Asked….

“Were you aware that a student who completes their first two years of college coursework at CPCC and is accepted at any of the UNC four-year institutions, will enter as a junior and all course work will transfer?”

60.7% indicated that they were aware of our articulation agreement

Participants Were Asked….

“Are you aware that high school students in CMS are allowed to earn college credit while attending CPCC during their junior and senior years?”

58.3% were aware of our college-experience programs

Perceptions of CPCC

Overall perception of CPCC• 78.3% positive or very positive• 16.5% neutral or no opinion• 5.1% poor or very negative

Would you recommend CPCC to a friend or family member?• 98.9% said “yes” (80.6% without reservation

and 18.3% with some reservation)

What can CPCC do to attract students to the College?

More marketing and visibility• Advertisements• Career fairs• More information on internet• Radio, cable TV or direct mail• Free workshops• Work with high schools• Special programs in businesses• Annual event highlighting opportunities

…to attract students, continued

More variety of courses• more routes to get the GED• more courses at area campuses and centers• adult enrichment programs• offer Information Technology courses like ECPI instead

of Information Systems• more flexible scheduling (eve. and weekend)• more technical/vocational skills courses• specific courses (aviation, photography, writing, history)

…to attract students, continued

Student Services Issues• More financial aid services• Appeal to special interest groups

• single-parents with older kids to encourage them to return to school

• Older adults to overcome fears of learning• Reliable information on tutors and

how to contact them

What programs would you be interested in studying?

1. Technology Courses• Digital photography• Computer applications• Web design/development courses• Desk top publishing• Computer software• IT certification in ConEd• E-commerce• Update your skills in Microsoft• Programming

…. Programs, continued

2. Culinary and Health• hospitality education through CWW• cooking and the use of herbs • alternative medicine and medical terminology • healthcare, respiratory care and nursing

3. Arts• Dance• Yoga• Art (for credit and non-credit)• Music• Creative writing

... Programs, continued

4. Office related• human resources• starting your own business• business administration• purchasing certification• marketing• insurance• public relations• financial investing and financial counseling• grant writing

... Programs, continued

5. Miscellaneous• Spanish and other languages• Aviation, professional pilots certification• Auto mechanics, welding, plumbing• Child development• Career services and career preparation• Classes for fun (hobbies)

As a community college, what does CPCC do well?

Great access: place, courses and time Availability to those who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity Variety of programs Basics in all areas Prepares students to fill the need in the community Provides opportunities to people at different times in their lives,

today’s career patterns, from Kid’s College to seniors Communicates with and touches the community Provides continuing education Reasonable price Serves the community

For a Copy of this Presentation

Go to:

http://inside.cpcc.cc.nc.us/planning

click on “Studies and Reports”