Strategic Services

Supporting Planning, Improvement and Student Success

 

The Office of Strategic Services helps State Fair Community College make informed decisions that support student success and institutional excellence. Through assessment, research, accreditation, strategic planning, and grant services, the office provides the data, guidance, and resources needed to measure progress, improve programs, and advance the college's mission.

Strategic Services partners with departments across the college to support continuous improvement, ensure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements, and strengthen planning for the future.

 

Areas of Strategic Services

 

Accreditation

SFCC has been affiliated with the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools, now the Higher Learning Commission, since it was founded. Full accreditation was granted in 1976 and the college continues to be accredited today through the Higher Learning Commission.

SFCC maintains institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission's Open Pathway and supports specialized program accreditations across the college.

 

Institutional Assessment

The office coordinates assessment efforts that help evaluate institutional effectiveness and improve student outcomes, including non-academic program reviews, co-curricular assessment, institutional surveys, and student achievement reporting.

The Report Card is a continuous quality improvement tool that provides quantitative information about the college’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.  It highlights Key Performance Indicators that are vital to our success.

Institutions are required to disclose student achievement data that address the broad variety of its programs, both undergraduate and graduate, as applicable, including student achievement data from each program level. See HLC policy Public Information (FDCR.A.10.070) for more information.

 

Academic Success

2025 – Career and Technical Graduates

  • Employed: 283 (74%)
  • Continuing education: 31 (8%)
  • Other/Unknown: 13 (3.4%)

Total graduates AAS/Certificates – 432

Retention and Graduation Rates
Fall 2024 to Fall 2025

  • Full-time retention rate: 64%
  • Part-time retention rate: 36%
  • Students graduated or transferred: 41%

Certificates and Degrees

  • Associate of Applied Science: 241
  • Associate of Arts: 340
  • Associate of Arts in Teaching: 31
  • Associate of Fine Arts: 10
  • Associate of General Studies: 7
  • Associate of Science: 8
  • Certificate Program: 177
  • Skills Certificate: 115

Health Sciences Licensure
2025
94 percent Licensure pass rate for all Health Science programs

 

Strategic Planning

Strategic Services leads the development and implementation of the college's strategic plan, helping align initiatives, measure progress, and support long-term institutional goals.

 

Institutional Research

The office collects, analyzes, and reports institutional data to support planning, decision-making, and accountability. Services include external reporting and internal data requests for departments across the college.

IPEDS Surveys

The IPEDS Glossary provides definitions for almost 500 postsecondary-related terms used in the collection and dissemination of IPEDS data.

 

Grant Services

Strategic Services assists faculty and staff throughout the grant process, including identifying funding opportunities, reviewing proposals, supporting grant writing, and helping ensure compliance with grant requirements.

Darci McFail
Executive Director Strategic Services
 dmcfail@sfccmo.edu
 (660) 596-7271

Becky Rose
Manager Research and Effectiveness
 rrose@sfccmo.edu
 (660) 596-7214

Shawn Cripe
Grant Writer/Report Manager, Strategic Services
 scripe@sfccmo.edu
 (660) 596-7159