2025-2030Strategic Plan
Driving Shared Prosperity in our Communities.
Message from the President
A Plan for Our Next Century
As Trinidad State College celebrates its 100th anniversary, I am pleased to share this 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. We embark on this next century with a plan that honors our legacy as the first community college in Colorado, and that looks forward to our vision of shared prosperity in our communities.
This plan sets a direction for the College’s future for the next five years. It serves as a roadmap, reminding us of our strengths, helping us align resources with priorities, and guiding our actions and decisions toward a common vision.
The plan focuses on our three key constituencies: our students, our employees, and our community. Reflecting our core value of “Students First,” this plan encourages student success above all. It also recognizes that student success is dependent on our faculty and staff, and it similarly prioritizes employee well-being. And it acknowledges that we are part of a broader community—repositioning our College as a driver of workforce and economic development, not merely a responder.
I hope you’ll join us in meeting the aspirations set forth in this plan.
Rhonda M. Epper, Ph.D.
Former President, Trinidad State College
Our Foundation
Mission, Vision & Core Value
Mission
Enrich our diverse communities through quality educational experiences and lifelong learning.
Vision
Driving shared prosperity in our communities.
Core Value
Students First. We put our students at the forefront of everything we do; our primary role is to provide students with the tools they need to be successful.
How We Work
Guiding Principles
In addition to our core value of Students First, Trinidad State College pursues its strategic priorities guided by the following principles.
Accountability with Integrity
We accept our responsibilities, meet our commitments, and instill trust through transparency.
Collegiality & Respect
We create an environment where all are valued and where mutual respect and diverse perspectives are encouraged.
Collaboration
We listen, recognize each other’s strengths, and work toward our collective goals.
Inclusion & Belonging
We prioritize access and belonging in all we do and for all we serve.
Structure of the Plan
Pillars of Success
Our Strategic Plan is anchored by three pillars—students, employees, and community—supported by a solid financial foundation. By focusing on these pillars, we strive to create an environment where students thrive, employees are empowered, and the community prospers.
Financial Foundation — Securing resources to enroll more students, strengthen academics, and improve facilities
Pillar One
Student Success & Economic Mobility
Trinidad State College will enable more students to succeed in their chosen academic and career pathway.
Providing students with the opportunities and tools they need to succeed academically and in their chosen career path is at the core of what Trinidad State College does. Through outreach, collaborative engagement with K–12 and other partners, and robust support services, we ensure every student has the resources to complete their academic goal—whether to transfer, enter the workforce, or obtain a new skill.
Strategic Priorities
Increase Enrollment Annually
Increasing enrollment remains both a priority and a challenge in Colorado and nationally. Our economy demands it and the stability of our budget requires it.
How we measure success
Increase enrollment to 1,500 FTE by 2030.
Increase Completion
Earning a credential opens doors to better career opportunities. Too many students do not complete and are left with “some college, no degree,” limiting their future.
How we measure success
Increase the graduation rate to 60% by 2030.
Increase Successful Transfer to Four-Year Institutions
Surveys suggest up to 80% of community college students plan to earn a Bachelor’s degree. Transfer to a four-year institution can lead to stronger outcomes and increased employability.
How we measure success
Increase the number of successful transfers to 275 by 2030.
Erase Equity Gaps
With 30 years designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, TSC takes pride in its equity efforts. Work remains to close gaps in retention, completion, and other measures for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
How we measure success
Shrink the equity gap to zero in retention, graduation, and transfer rates for low-income, first-generation, and students of color compared to the overall student population.
Increase Return on Investment for Students
Programs of study should lead to jobs in high-demand fields or that pay a living wage. Work-based learning—internships, clinical rotations, and employer partnerships—accelerates career success.
How we measure success
Increase the percentage of programs and students in high-demand and/or living-wage programs. Offer at least one work-based learning experience within each program of study by 2030.
Pillar Two
Valuing Our Employees
Trinidad State College will foster a healthy professional environment to attract and retain the best faculty and staff.
The College’s success in carrying out its mission depends on faculty and staff. They are the backbone of the College’s work and provide the essential support and infrastructure that enables students to thrive. Investing in our people promotes a more motivated, productive, and committed workforce.
Strategic Priorities
Focus on Employee Well-Being and Work-Life Balance
Trinidad State College expects the very best from its employees. We know that to give the very best, employees must be healthy and motivated.
How we measure success
Increase retention rate to 90% (excluding retirement) by 2030.
Cultivate Leadership and Job Satisfaction Through Professional Development
TSC seeks to equip faculty and staff with the most up-to-date skills and knowledge, enabling them to effectively support students and grow in their fields.
How we measure success
Reach 100% employee participation in professional development annually by 2030.
Increase Salaries to Make TSC a Competitive Employer
Employees are our most important asset. To attract the best workforce, our compensation package must be competitive regionally and statewide.
How we measure success
Bring TSC average salaries within 10% of Denver-Metro college averages by 2030.*
* Variations occur depending on years of service, degree levels, and other factors. This metric is dependent on fiscal stability through maintaining and increasing enrollment.
Pillar Three
Community Prosperity
Trinidad State College will play a catalytic role in the economic development of our communities.
Trinidad State College is only as healthy and prosperous as the communities in which it lives. We serve Las Animas and Huerfano Counties, as well as Alamosa and the entire San Luis Valley. Our campuses attract talent and promote success among local businesses by fostering entrepreneurship and skill development. Strong partnerships will drive student success, job creation, and economic growth.
Strategic Priorities
Fully Implement Emergent Campus
Emergent Campus envisions a vibrant hub where education, business, and industry intersect. It will provide students with internships, certificates, and hands-on learning experiences, while attracting new businesses to the region.
How we measure success
Fully meet all Emergent Campus grant metrics.
Develop Partnerships with Local Businesses and Community Groups
TSC has relationships and structures in place that facilitate community involvement. Much more can be done to create vibrant partnerships that lead to student opportunities and community prosperity.
How we measure success
Increase participants in outreach programs by 10% annually. Appoint a community engagement committee on each campus with an outreach strategy in place by June 2025.
Increase the Number of Graduates Who Live and Work in Our Communities
TSC graduates who remain in the region contribute to economic vitality and build stronger ties between the College and the surrounding communities.
How we measure success
Identify and implement approaches to gather data on students who remain and work in the region.
Full Plan
Download the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan
Access the complete Strategic Plan document in PDF or PowerPoint format.
Get in Touch
Contact Trinidad State College