WTC President Dr. Laurie Sharp speaks with students at the Electrical Lineworker Rodeo in the spring of 2026. The College's new 10-year strategic plan places student success at the center of its priorities while strengthening partnerships that support educational and workforce opportunities across the region.
Western Texas College will spend the next decade expanding opportunities for students, strengthening workforce partnerships, and investing in communities across West Texas through a new strategic plan approved Monday by the Board of Trustees. “Serving Students Together: A 10-Year Strategy for Western Texas College (2026–2036)” outlines the priorities that will guide the College’s future and shape its work across the region. Implementation begins immediately through annual action plans, measurable performance indicators, and regular progress updates to the Board of Trustees and the community.
Rather than creating a plan behind closed doors, the strategy reflects months of conversations led by Western Texas College President Dr. Laurie Sharp during her Listening Tour. She spoke with students, employees, trustees, school district leaders, workforce partners, alumni, community members, and other stakeholders across the West Texas region. People shared what they value about Western Texas College (WTC), where improvements could be made, and how the College can better serve students and communities in the years ahead.
“The Listening Tour made it clear that people care deeply about Western Texas College and the opportunities it creates for students,” said Dr. Sharp. “They told us what we do well, where we can improve, and what they need from the College moving forward. The strategic plan reflects those conversations. The feedback we received helped shape a roadmap for the future.”
The plan centers around one main idea: student success comes first. It focuses on helping students reach their goals in life while strengthening partnerships with employers, organizations, schools, and communities across the region.
Throughout the Listening Tour, participants consistently described WTC as a college that cares deeply about its students while also identifying opportunities to improve communication, simplify processes, create clearer pathways, and increase awareness of the College's programs and services.
The strategic plan identifies four major priorities that will guide Western Texas College through 2036:
Student Success with Clarity and Care: Helping students understand their pathways and receive the support they need from enrollment through graduation.
Enrollment Growth and Visibility: Expanding awareness of WTC and increasing opportunities for students across the region.
Workforce, Academic Pathways, and Regional Impact: Strengthening academic programs and workforce training that meet regional needs.
People, Systems, and Stewardship: Ensuring the College remains strong, sustainable, and prepared for future opportunities.
To support the broader strategy, Western Texas College also released two companion plans focused on key institutional priorities. “The Strategic Enrollment Management Plan” focuses on growing enrollment and increasing student success. “The Agricultural and Rodeo Complex Plan” provides guidance for strengthening agricultural education, workforce development, rodeo programming, and regional partnerships.
The strategic plan aligns with the College’s recently adopted mission, vision, and values, which were developed through input from students, employees, trustees, community leaders, workforce partners, and educational collaborators. The mission emphasizes empowering students to achieve educational, workforce, and life goals through high-quality learning, strong support services, and community partnerships.
“This plan belongs to all of us,” Sharp said. “It was shaped by the voices of our students, employees, school districts, workforce partners, community leaders, and many others who care about the future of this region. Together, we are creating a framework that will guide Western Texas College for years to come.”
The complete strategic plan and companion planning documents are available on the Western Texas College website. Learn more and download the strategic plan and companion documents at wtc.edu/strategicplan.