Community Needs
Assessment Study
Results for Central
Campus
Summer/Fall 2001
Department of Planning
and Research
Last Community Survey
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CPCC conducted the Citizen’s
Survey in 1994 as part of the
Strategic Master Plan
This survey was conducted
prior to the multi-campus
expansion
It was time to do another
Procedures

In the Summer of 2001
• An HTML survey was developed
• Invitational ads were placed in
newspapers, on the CPCC homepage
and on the Fall 2001 schedule
• 198 individuals/businesses completed
the on-line surveys
Procedures

The same survey was created as a scannable
pencil-paper survey and approximately 350 copies
were distributed by the campus Deans
• They were distributed to civic groups,
participants at community events and a few
students in CCE classes
• Several Deans participated heavily, others
participated little or not at all
• Surveys were returned by 179
individuals/businesses
Procedures
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Planning and Research offered to do
two focus groups per campus
No focus groups were requested for
Central
Choice of Campus

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Participants were asked what
Campus they would like to attend
Of the 377 participants, 178 wanted
to attend the Central Campus
These data are based on the
responses of those 178 participants
Demographics of Central
Respondents
Gender
• male
• female
•
•
•
•
Age
25 or less
26-40
41-50
over 50
36.9%
63.1%
30.1%
36.9%
21.6%
11.4%
The Central group was much younger than the entire
sample.
Demographics, continued
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Ethnicity
• White
• African American
• Other minority
Employment Status
• Unemployed
• Employed
• full-time
• part-time
66.7%
22.4%
10.9%
20.8%
79.2%
62.4%
11.6%
A higher percentage of the Central group was minority and
employed than the entire sample.
Central Demographics,
continued

Income Level (what is your annual income)
• 18.8% earned less than $19,999
• 33.8% earned $20,000 - $39,999
• 13.8% earned $40,000 - $59,999
• 21.9% earned $60,000 - $99,999
• 11.9% earned $100,000 or more
The income level of the Central group was lower
that the entire sample.
Demographics, continued

Areas of Employment of Central
Participants
• 18.9% business
• 8.2% service
• 7.5% health
3.8% engineering
3.1% computer
• 30.2% other/not listed
8.8%
7.5%
6.3%
3.1%
2.5%
banking/finance
education
technology
transportation
arts
Relationship of Central
Participants to College

Participants could indicate more than
one response. Participants by percent
were:
• 43.3%
• 37.1%
• 28.1%
• 7.9%
current students
community residents
/potential students
former students
employers
Number of Potential
Students by Household

Participants were asked “how many
in your household might be
interested in attending the College?”
•
•
•
•
17.7%
75.4%
1.1%
5.7%
indicated
indicated
indicated
indicated
“none”
1-2 individuals
3-4 individuals
more than 4 individuals
What Would Be Your
Goal in Attending CPCC
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Participants could select more than one answer:
54.5%
36.5%
34.8%
29.8%
24.2%
24.2%
21.3%
Personal interest/enrichment
Prepare for different job
Take continuing education courses
Update skills for current job
Obtain 2-yr degree and enter workforce
Obtain 2-yr degree and transfer
Obtain diploma/certificate
Goal, continued
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19.7%
16.3%
9.0%
6.2%
3.9%
2.2%
Take a few courses and transfer
Obtain short-term training (1 sem. or less)
Improve reading, writing and math skills
Obtain high school diploma or GED
Prepare for first job
Take ESL courses
Participants could select more than one answer.
Of Those Who Preferred
Central Campus (n=178)
The following % also expressed interest in attending
the following campuses:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
South Campus
College Without Walls
West Campus
North Campus
High School Location
Southwest Campus
Northeast Campus
My workplace
City View Center
32.4%
25.2%
23.1%
19.1%
18.8%
16.7%
10.1%
10.1%
5.6%
Participants could select more than one answer.
Reason for Campus
Selection
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Close to home
Easy drive to and from
Close to work
Close to daycare or relatives
Participants could select more than one answer.
79.2%
58.4%
51.7%
6.7%
Convenient Time to
Take Classes


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
evenings
on weekends
mornings
afternoons
71.3%
41.0%
37.1%
24.2%
Participants could select more than one answer.
Are any of the following critical to the
decision to attend?
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The following % answered “yes”
48.3%
40.4%
38.5%
Tuition waivers
Federal financial aid
Scholarships
Participants could select more than one answer.
Greatest Barriers to
Attending...

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Available personal time
Work Schedule
Financial Resources
Time commitment
Childcare
Transportation
My formal education
My age
Understanding registration process
My disability
Difficulty reading the schedule
Participants could select more than one answer.
48.3%
44.9%
27.5%
18.0%
8.4%
6.2%
5.1%
4.5%
4.5%
.6%
.6%
Services Considered Important in
Making the Decision to Attend
Percent considering service somewhat important to top priority
 95.5%
parking
 92.6%
bookstore
 92.0%
library
 75.4%
academic advising
 73.6%
career services and job placement
 63.7%
tutoring services
 63.1%
financial aid
 59.1%
food services
 53.1%
lifetime email address
 46.6%
student activities and campus life
 39.7%
bus transportation
Participants could select more than one answer.
Preferred Time and Method
of Using These Services

Method
• 58.8%
• 36.2%
• 5.1%

via Internet/web page
in person
via mail
Time
• 59.2%
• 30.5%
• 10.3%
evening
daytime
weekends
The Best Way for Central Students
to Receive Information about CPCC

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63.5%
45.5%
42.1%
36.0%
19.7%
9.0%
7.3%
3.9%
CPCC catalog/schedule
Internet
newspaper
word-of-mouth
television or cable channel
radio
workplace or company newsletter
billboards
Participants could select more than one answer.
Aspects of our Mission:
What They Didn’t Know
Percent responding
“I don’t kno
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College offers pre-college programs
(ESL, basic skills, adult HS, etc.)
College offers college transfer programs
College has supportive student environment
College contributes to economy of community
College strengthens social life of community
College offers technical career programs
Quality of faculty
College meets individual student needs
College contributes to cultural life of community
40.4%
34.8%
32.6%
34.3%
30.3%
32.6%
26.4%
21.9%
20.8%
What They Didn’t Know,
continued
Percent responding
“I don’t know”
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Provides high quality programs and services
College has variety of methods
(in-class, distance ed., etc.)
College is financially affordable
Variety of class times
Commitment to lifelong learning
College has available students services
College offers a variety of programs
College has convenient locations, accessible
to work and home
15.7%
12.4%
11.8%
26.4%
10.7%
6.7%
6.7%
2.8%
Aspects of Our Mission Mean Scores (How We’re Doing)
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Commitment to lifelong learning
College offers a variety of programs
College has convenient locations, accessible
to work and home
College offers technical career programs
College has variety of methods
(in-class, distance education, etc.)
College offers pre-college programs
(ESL, basic skills, adult HS, etc.)
College is financially affordable
Scale 1-4 -poor, fair, good, excellent
Mean Score
3.21
3.11
3.11
3.09
3.07
3.06
3.04
How We’re Doing, continued
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Mean Score
Provides high quality programs and services
2.97
College offers college transfer programs
2.97
Quality of faculty
2.87
College contributes to economy of community
2.84
College meets individual student needs
2.83
Variety of class times
2.81
College contributes to cultural life of community 2.79
College strengthens social life of community
2.77
College has available students services
2.76
College has supportive student environment
2.69
Scale 1-4 - poor, fair, good, excellent

Participants Were
Asked….
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“Were you aware that a student who
completes their first two years of
college coursework at CPCC and is
accepted at any of the UNC four-year
institutions, will enter as a junior
and all course work will transfer?”
60.7% indicated that they were
aware of our articulation agreement
Participants Were
Asked….
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
“Are you aware that high school
students in CMS are allowed to earn
college credit while attending CPCC
during their junior and senior years?”
58.3% were aware of our collegeexperience programs
Perceptions of CPCC

Overall perception of CPCC
• 78.3% positive or very positive
• 16.5% neutral or no opinion
• 5.1% poor or very negative

Would you recommend CPCC to a
friend or family member?
• 98.9% said “yes” (80.6% without
reservation and 18.3% with some
reservation)
What can CPCC do to attract
students to the College?

More marketing and visibility
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Advertisements
Career fairs
More information on internet
Radio, cable TV or direct mail
Free workshops
Work with high schools
Special programs in businesses
Annual event highlighting opportunities
…to attract students,
continued
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More variety of courses
•
•
•
•
more routes to get the GED
more courses at area campuses and centers
adult enrichment programs
offer Information Technology courses like ECPI
instead of Information Systems
• more flexible scheduling (eve. and weekend)
• more technical/vocational skills courses
• specific courses (aviation, photography, writing,
history)
…to attract students,
continued
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Student Services Issues
• More financial aid services
• Appeal to special interest groups
• single-parents with older kids to
encourage them to return to school
• Older adults to overcome fears of
learning
• Reliable information on tutors and
how to contact them
What programs would you be
interested in studying?

1. Technology Courses
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Digital photography
Computer applications
Web design/development courses
Desk top publishing
Computer software
IT certification in ConEd
E-commerce
Update your skills in Microsoft
Programming
…. Programs, continued
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2. Culinary and Health
•
•
•
•
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hospitality education through CWW
cooking and the use of herbs
alternative medicine and medical terminology
healthcare, respiratory care and nursing
3. Arts
•
•
•
•
•
Dance
Yoga
Art (for credit and non-credit)
Music
Creative writing
... Programs, continued
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4. Office related
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
human resources
starting your own business
business administration
purchasing certification
marketing
insurance
public relations
financial investing and financial counseling
grant writing
... Programs, continued
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5. Miscellaneous
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spanish and other languages
Aviation, professional pilots certification
Auto mechanics, welding, plumbing
Child development
Career services and career preparation
Classes for fun (hobbies)
As a community college,
what does CPCC do well?
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Great access: place, courses and time
Availability to those who wouldn’t otherwise have an
opportunity
Variety of programs
Basics in all areas
Prepares students to fill the need in the community
Provides opportunities to people at different times in their
lives, today’s career patterns, from Kid’s College to seniors
Communicates with and touches the community
Provides continuing education
Reasonable price
Serves the community
For a Copy of this
Presentation
Go to:
http://inside.cpcc.cc.nc.us/planning
click on “Studies and Reports”