In this column, I’d like to provide an update on the next phase of our work: the implementation of IVC Inspire 2035 Tactics. As previously shared, we have made significant progress in developing IVC Inspire 2035, including key milestones such as College Council's approval of our institutional values on March 4, 2026, and the adoption of our revised Vision and Mission on May 6, 2026. These milestones have established the foundation for the work now underway to implement the strategic plan through targeted actions and initiatives.
Tactics are the specific actions and measurable steps that move our strategic plan from vision to implementation. While IVC’s vision, mission, values, and goals define our destination, tactics chart the path to get us there. They provide guidelines, identify priorities, assign accountability, and help us track progress toward achieving the aspirations outlined in IVC Inspire 2035. Developed through broad campus engagement and collaboration, these tactics will guide our efforts over the coming years, ensuring that our day-to-day work remains aligned with our long-term strategic goals and our commitment to student success.
During Spring 2026, through the same collaborative and iterative process that shaped our values, vision, mission, and goals, we worked closely with our participatory governance groups to develop and propose 22 SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) tactics. These tactics are designed to translate our vision, mission, values and goals into concrete actions. A draft of these tactics was approved by College Council on May 13, 2026, with the understanding that they would be further reviewed and refined during the College's annual summer Strategic Planning Retreat.
On June 9, 2026, 102 students, faculty, classified professionals, and administrators convened for our annual Strategic Planning Retreat, "Unlocking Our Future with Inspire 2035." This additional vetting process provided broader campus input, strengthened alignment across priorities and initiatives, and increased confidence in our collective ability to successfully implement the plan.
The retreat provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue, reflection, and collaborative planning. Participants largely affirmed the strategic direction of Inspire 2035 and focused their discussions on implementation, collaboration, institutional capacity, and the resources needed for success. This feedback further refined the tactics, reinforced campuswide alignment, and demonstrated a shared commitment to translate that vision of Inspire 2035 into coordinated action.
I'm pleased to share that at the September 9, 2026, College Council meeting, the Council approved the final IVC Inspire 2035 Tactics. I encourage you to review and become familiar with them, as they will serve as a shared roadmap for our work over the next decade. Understanding these tactics will help all of us align our efforts, identify opportunities for collaboration, and contribute to advancing our collective goals and priorities.
By providing clear priorities, measurable milestones, and defined accountability, these tactics serve as our blueprint for implementation. They will ensure that our strategic plan moves beyond aspiration to action by aligning institutional efforts, measuring progress, and advancing the goals that will shape Irvine Valley College's future. Most importantly, they position us to fulfill our commitment to student success and to create lasting impact for the students and communities we serve.
Best,
John