Abstract

ArcGIS Business Analyst Supports Strategic Decision-Making at Community Colleges
Track: Teaching About GIS for Future Professionals
Authors: Evgeniya Lindstrom, Lori Sanchez

The Great Recession and the California budget crisis have put many public educational institutions on the defensive. Given significant budget cuts, community colleges are facing difficult program planning and resource allocation decisions. Labor market dynamics, community demographics, student population patterns, and regional industry composition are among the factors to be considered. This session will showcase how the Centers of Excellence (COE) are utilizing ArcGIS Business Analyst software and data to inform colleges about the external environment they operate in as well as provide support for data driven decision-making. Using GIS maps and data, colleges are able to develop strategic plans, map their student population, and assess viability of existing and future educational offerings within their service areas.