University Career Services Launches Third Strategic Plan to Enhance Student Success - University of Houston
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University Career Services Launches Third Strategic Plan to Enhance Student Success

DSA News
November 15, 2024

University Career Services (UCS) is excited to announce the launch of its third strategic plan, which debuted in Fall 2024 and was shared publicly at the 2024 SFAC presentation. This plan marks a significant milestone, guiding UCS’s efforts to empower University of Houston students in their career readiness journeys and further support the Division of Student Affairs' commitment to student success.

Dr. Monica Thompson

Rooted in a vision to make a transformative impact on students' professional lives, the UCS strategic plan identifies seven key priorities that will direct the department's initiatives over the coming years:

  • Enhancing Student Engagement: Increase accessibility to UCS services, aiming to boost engagement through career readiness programming, workshops, and personalized support.
  • Building Stronger Employer Partnerships: Expand collaborations with employers to enhance experiential learning and job placement opportunities, ensuring students gain relevant work experiences.
  • Supporting Career Readiness for All Students: Develop inclusive programs that address the diverse needs of UH’s student body, with a focus on first-generation and underrepresented students.
  • Strengthening Campus Collaborations: Partner with faculty and other campus entities to integrate career readiness within the academic experience, enhancing overall student engagement.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize data to guide service improvements and assess UCS's impact on student outcomes, ensuring strategic alignment with UH and DSA goals.
  • Professional Development for Staff: Foster a culture of continuous learning among UCS staff, aligning professional growth with departmental goals to better serve students.
  • Operational Efficiency and Innovation: Implement innovative technologies and optimize processes to provide efficient, high-quality services to students and stakeholders.

Measuring Success: A Comprehensive Evaluation Approach

To ensure these priorities translate into impactful outcomes, UCS has developed a comprehensive evaluation plan that includes both qualitative and quantitative metrics aligned with the strategic goals. These metrics will offer insight into UCS’s effectiveness in enhancing student engagement, employer partnerships, and career readiness support.

Through this approach, UCS will:

Track Student Engagement and Satisfaction: By monitoring attendance, participation rates, and gathering student feedback, UCS will assess the reach and effectiveness of its programs. This data will also reflect UCS’s role in shaping the student experience and contribute to positive alumni connections.

Analyze Employment Outcomes: Employment and post-graduation success metrics will serve as indicators of UCS’s impact on students’ career readiness, including job placement rates and student skill development.

Evaluate Operational Efficiency: Metrics on resource allocation and service delivery will provide insight into UCS’s commitment to continuous improvement, allowing the department to revise or sunset programs that do not align with the plan’s goals.

Dr. Monica D. Thompson, executive Director of UCS, shared her enthusiasm: “Building on the progress UCS has made in advancing career services over the past 10 years, I am excited to embark on a new chapter with a refreshed team. Together, we can build on our previous achievements and strengthen our collaboration with faculty, campus partners, alumni, and employers to elevate University Career Services (UCS) to new heights. This strategic plan will serve as a foundation for our departmental assessment and guide the establishment of annual performance goals for each staff member, ensuring that individual contributions align with our overall strategic objectives.”

Through assessment, UCS will have the flexibility to develop new programs, refine current offerings, or retire initiatives that no longer meet evolving student needs.

Aligned with UH’s and DSA’s strategic priorities, UCS’s third strategic plan is a roadmap for shaping the future of career services at UH, dedicated to enhancing student success and preparing graduates for impactful careers.

Written by
Monica D. Thompson, Ed.D
Executive Director, UCS.