Mission
Amarillo College is committed to transforming lives through learning, creating opportunities for student success, and nurturing prosperity for the Texas Panhandle.
Vision
Amarillo College:
Every learner succeeds.
Innovation thrives.
Communities flourish.
Values
I
Integrity
What
We earn trust through our actions.
How
INTEGRITY means doing what is right, even when it is difficult. We act with honesty, transparency, and consistency in every interaction. We keep our commitments, own our decisions, and build confidence in one another through our words and actions. By modeling integrity, we prepare our students to lead with character and purpose.
C
Curiosity
What
We embrace learning without limits.
How
CURIOSITY fuels discovery, innovation, and growth. We ask questions, seek understanding, and remain open to new ideas and perspectives. We challenge ourselves to learn continuously, improve boldly, and adapt to meet the needs of our students and communities. We inspire our students to approach life with the same passion for learning and exploration.
A
Accountability
What
We take ownership of our impact.
How
ACCOUNTABILITY means holding ourselves and one another to high standards because our students, colleagues, and communities depend on us. We deliver on our commitments, measure our results, and continuously strive for excellence. We encourage our students to take responsibility for their learning, growth, and contributions to the world around them.
R
Relevance
What
We deliver instruction that matters.
How
RELEVANCE means connecting education to opportunity, purpose, and real-world impact. We design experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers, engaged citizenship, and lifelong success. We continually adapt to meet the evolving needs of our region while helping students understand the difference they can make in their communities and beyond.
E
Engagement
What
We create belonging through connection.
How
ENGAGEMENT means showing up with purpose, listening with respect, and contributing to something greater than ourselves. We foster relationships that strengthen learning, collaboration, and community. By creating environments where people feel valued, supported, and empowered, we invite every student and employee to play an active role in our shared success.
STRATEGIC GOALS
Create a transformative student experience where every learner has the support, opportunities, and resources needed to achieve their educational, career, and life goals. Eliminate barriers, foster belonging, strengthen engagement, and champion success from enrollment through completion and beyond.
1.1 Increase Student Graduation Rate: Achieve a first-time-in-college 3-year student graduation rate of 41% (Baseline: Fall 2022 FTIC 31%)
1.2 Increase Student Persistence: Achieve a first-time-in-college student fall-to-fall retention rate of 71% (Baseline: Fall 2024 FTIC 61%)
1.3 Increase Transfer Success: Achieve a first-time-in-college 3-year student transfer rate of 22% (Baseline: Fall 2022 FTIC 17%)
1.4 Expand Student Access and Success Through the Badger Bound Dual Credit Program: Increase the number of Badger Bound eligible students to 1,100 and increase the number of Badger Bound eligible students who matriculate to Amarillo College to 600. (Baseline: Matriculation AY 2023 eligible 661 and Matriculated 170)
Partner with industry and community leaders to develop talent, expand opportunity, and prepare students for meaningful careers. Create innovative, market-responsive pathways that connect education to employment and strengthen the economic vitality of our communities.
2.1 Increase Workforce Credential Production: Increase the number of graduates from workforce programs with an annual median wage at or above a living wage one year after graduation by 10% (692) (Baseline: AY 2024 CTE Graduates and Living Wage 629)
2.2 Expand Work-Based Learning Opportunities: Increase student participation in internships, clinicals, co-ops, practicums and earn-and-learn experiences by 10% (1,571) (Baseline: AY 2024 Participation 1,428)
2.3 Strengthen Industry Partnerships: Achieve 90% employer satisfaction with the quality of Amarillo College graduates, curriculum, KSAs, and opportunities for employer-student engagement.
2.4 Grow Innovation Through the Innovation Outpost: Position the Innovation Outpost as a regional hub for innovation by engaging at least 6,000 students, employees, entrepreneurs, and community members annually in innovation, technology, workforce, and entrepreneurial programming with more than a 60% employer return rate.
2.5 Launch Bachelor’s Degree Programs: Develop and secure approval for at least one applied bachelor's degree program aligned with regional workforce needs and enroll the first student cohort.
Inspire excellence across the College by embracing evidence-based practices, continuous innovation, and professional growth. Empower faculty and staff to create engaging learning experiences that maximize student achievement, workforce readiness, and transfer success.
3.1 Strengthen Career and Transfer Readiness: Embed authentic assignments and assessments in all programs to connect classroom learning with career competencies and/or support transfer success.
3.2 Expand the Scholars Program Across Academic Disciplines: Expand the Scholars Program beyond STEM disciplines by launching Scholars tracks in at least 2 additional academic programs.
3.3 Lead in Artificial Intelligence Innovation: Implement AI-enhanced teaching, learning, and operational tools across the College, with 100% of faculty receiving foundational AI training and at least 50% incorporating AI-supported practices into the classroom.
Strengthen the college’s future through responsible stewardship, strategic investment, operational excellence, and effective compliance practices that promote accountability, manage risk, and uphold institutional integrity. Align resources, policies, and decision-making with our mission, values, and regulatory responsibilities to expand access, deepen partnerships, and ensure long-term sustainability and transformational impact for students and our communities.
4.1 Ensure a Strong Financial Future: Strengthen the planning, oversight, and optimization of the College’s primary revenue streams – including tuition, fees, state appropriations, grants, and other recurring revenues – to support sustainable operations, maintain positive operating margins and healthy reserves, exercise responsible expense management, and advance institutional priorities.
4.2 Improve Operational Efficiency: Identify and then redesign, streamline, and/or automate all necessary high-impact administrative processes to reduce cycle times, improve service, and enhance employee productivity.
4.3 Strategic Workforce Alignment and Talent Optimization: Identify and align the College’s workforce and organizational design to advance strategic priorities by ensuring talent and expertise are deployed where they can have the greatest impact on student success, institutional effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
4.4 Facilities Alignment and Utilization Management: Complete a comprehensive assessment of 100% of college-owned facilities to maximize space utilization, improve operational efficiency, and support evolving institutional needs. Implement space optimization and consolidation strategies that enhance the value and effectiveness of campus facilities, repurposing or transitioning underutilized space to better support strategic priorities.
4.5 Enhance Institutional Effectiveness and Data-Informed Decision-Making: Implement performance dashboards and continuous improvement processes across all divisions, with 100% of departments quarterly reviewing and reporting progress on strategic metrics.
Celebrate a century of impact while inspiring transformational investment that advances student success, strengthens Amarillo College's legacy of excellence, and shapes a bold vision for the next 100 years.
5.1 Deliver a Signature Centennial Celebration: Plan and execute a year-long centennial celebration that engages students, employees, alumni, donors, and community partners through a series of high-impact events and experiences.
5.2 Complete a Transformative Centennial Comprehensive Campaign: Explore, design, and then launch a comprehensive campaign to secure philanthropic investments that advance the College's strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.
5.3 Strengthen Alumni and Community Engagement: Deepen lifelong connections with alumni and strengthen Amarillo College's role as a community anchor institution by increasing active alumni engagement through events, volunteerism, mentorship, and giving.