Starting the Process of Developing New Programs | Origin: OP106
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Developing New Programs: Research and Selection --> Starting the Process of Developing New Programs
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Comment on Kaylah Macaullay's post:
Your point captures something foundational the module emphasized — that listing community resources reveals both the gaps in available training AND the unmet needs of potential students. Without this kind of community awareness, institutions risk launching programs that meet no real demand or missing opportunities to serve underserved populations.
The phrase you used about "what area is lacking in the community" stood out to me. This framing positions program research as an act of community service rather than just institutional expansion. When schools identify genuine gaps, they create programs that strengthen the local economy and serve community development.
Your attention to "what potential students may require" also resonates. The module's six demographic categories — census, income, ethnicity, age, transportation, and employers — each reveal something about what students actually need. Without this awareness, even well-designed programs can fail to reach the people they could most help.
In my context as College Director at Central Virginia Community College's Amherst Early College Center, your framing reminded me that institutional planning is fundamentally about serving real people in real communities, not just running programs.
Thank you for a thoughtful contribution.
With Benevolence, Shannon
This section covers two related topics: identifying community resources for program research, and understanding your community demographics.
Community Resources: Effective program research means contacting employers, Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development Boards, professional organizations, and government agencies. Direct employer contacts (business owners, HR managers, training directors) provide the best hiring data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) is a particularly powerful free resource, offering job titles, training requirements, local and national outlooks, earnings data, and decade-long projections.
Six Demographics to Track:
Census — total population, household composition
Income — affordability of tuition
Ethnicity — language and cultural considerations
Age — program-type alignment
Transportation — access barriers
Employers — existing job market and growth patterns
Core Principle: You can't recruit students you don't understand, and you can't train graduates for jobs that don't exist in your community. Demographics plus employer data equals realistic program planning.
For your Amherst Center context, you already know your community intuitively from years of relational leadership. This module simply provides formal language for the awareness you've been operating from.
Collecting the necessary data prior to implementation of a new program will guide the direction of that program.
Just how important good research will be in deciding on new programs.
It is essential to:
- Know the demographics of the community and the labor market needs
- Feasibility study
We have to be careful when want to add new programs. It is no easy and requieres a lot of planning.
One of the most important steps in creating new programs is conducting thorough research. It's essential to determine if there's a genuine need, rather than relying solely on the opinions of a few potential students or employees. Developing programs requires significant time and financial investment, so it's crucial to do your due diligence. This will increase the likelihood of creating a program that is both successful and sustainable.
Es importante realizar una investigación antes de lanzar un nuevo programa.
It is very important to do the needed research being adding a new program. A review committee should be comprised of a diverse group of people who are relevant to the new program that is being considered to add.
I’ve learned that adding a new program to an educational institution is a complex and strategic decision that requires thorough research, careful planning, and thoughtful consideration of various factors.
I will agree with others on the importance of a feasibility study.
Ive learned that in order to have successful program creation, knowing your demographic challenges and opportunities as well as outreach to businesses and organization is vital in the fact gathering and program developmental stages of a programs creation.
I am new in education, and this module has been helpful to me to understand being an Executive Assistant to the President on how planning a new program works.
I realize that our school needs to communicate more with employers. We rely on our Program Advisory board to give us feedback on our programming, but that is too small of a group. We can expand our outreach to community businesses and future employers.
The process of developing new programs is considered crucial, involving key individuals from current and potential employers for valuable insights and analyzing competitors' offerings. A feasibility study is highlighted as essential for determining the need for a new program.
There is a focus on expanding existing programs and introducing a new degree program. Involvement of staff, faculty, alumni, community members, and industry experts is emphasized for developing a high-quality education plan and creating integration opportunities with related fields in the local area.
The feasibility study needs to be comprehensive and based on real data and research. Determining the needs of the area industry/businesses is critical, along with the characteristics of your community.
Listing of community resources is important as you will get more information on what area is lacking in the commuity and needs to be filled, what potential students may require.
Key employees and the community is very essentials when choosing a new programs.
Feasibility study is a must. Understanding the state Dept. of Ed rules as well.
