Annual Planning at Seminole State College

Annual Planning at Seminole State College strengthens continuous improvement by aligning departmental goals, activities, and resource requests with the College mission, strategic goals, divisional priorities, and institutional effectiveness processes. Each academic year, departments document their goals, progress measures, outcomes, and resource needs to support student success and operational excellence.

Annual Planning Process

The Annual Planning process follows a structured cycle designed to promote alignment, transparency, and informed decision making.

Step 1: Initiate the Planning and Budget Cycle

Departments begin by reviewing the College’s Impact 2030 Strategic Plan, Objectives, and selecting from divisional priorities. Units select goal categories from three institutional focus areas: For Our Students, For Our Employees, and For Our Region. Departments then establish metrics, outline tactics, identify resource needs, and define intended results. All plans are submitted using Strategic Planning Online “SPOL”.

Step 2: Collegewide Review and Budget Forums

The College hosts employee forums to share draft budgets and engage employees in budget discussions. Divisional leadership reviews departmental plans and prioritizes resource requests.

Step 3: Institutional Review and Budget Allocation

Prioritized resource requests are compiled and evaluated institutionally. The College prepares a balanced budget reflecting strategic priorities and resource needs across divisions.

Step 4: Board of Trustees Approval

A finalized budget is submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval before the new fiscal year begins.

Step 5: Implementation and Strategic Review

Departments implement approved goals and activities, guided by established tactics and timelines.

Step 6: Prior Year Close Out and Evaluation

Departments document actual results and develop improvement plans to strengthen future planning cycles.

Annual Planning Timeline

January – February

Planning and budget cycle begins; departments develop goals, establish metrics, identify resource needs, and submit plans in SPOL.

March – April

Collegewide budget forums are held; divisions review and prioritize resource requests and allocation occurs.

May – June

The College finalizes and submits a balanced budget to the Board of Trustees for approval.

July – August

Departments implement approved goals.

September – October

Units complete prior year closeout, documenting actual results and creating improvement plans.

November – December

Departments monitor progress and prepare for the next annual planning cycle.