Strategic Plan

In Compliance with Act 1465 of 1997, each strategic plan must include the following process.

1. Principal clients and users of each program and the specific service or benefit derived by such persons or organizations:
   • SOWELA Technical Community College (SOWELA) is comprised of the main campus in Lake Charles, the instructional sites of Jennings – Morgan Smith and Oakdale. SOWELA has facilities and/or programs strategically placed throughout Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes to ensure the citizens of our service area access to postsecondary education. The college delivers services to students enrolled in a variety of programs of study in the areas of accounting, aviation, business administration, chemical lab, criminal justice, culinary arts, drafting and design, electrical construction, plumbing construction, general studies, digital arts, industrial electrician, industrial instrumentation, information technology, office systems, nursing, surgical technology, sterile processing, forest technology, machine tool, practical nursing, Louisiana transfer degrees, process technology, vehicle maintenance, and welding. Additionally, the college’s customers extend beyond students to all citizens who benefit from a healthy economy. SOWELA’s services include workforce development, job training and retraining.
2. An identification of potential external factors that are beyond the control of the entity and that could significantly affect the achievement of its goals or objectives:
   • Economy – Any significant negative change in the State’s and/or region’s economic environment is a threat to the college’s ability to meet the proposed goals. SOWELA continues to bounce back for the effects of the global pandemic which began in 2020. A further blow to the college in that same year two hurricanes hit; Hurricane Laura caused extensive damage to the collage structures and Hurricane Delta furthered the destruction. Many students left the area and remained away due to damage caused to the home dwellings. The area’s businesses were hit hard by the hurricanes and many of them are still in the process of rebuilding. With time the region should see a strong economic comeback; however, the ability to meet the college’s proposed goals during this comeback may be a gradual process.
   • State Appropriations – State appropriations have remained reasonable steady under the current administration. Any significant reductions in state appropriations during the period encompassed by this plan my result in slowing, or fully halting, SOWELA’s progress toward the state objectives of this strategic plan.
   • Federal Government – A significant amount of revenue flows from Federal programs into Louisiana public postsecondary education, particularly in recent years as a result of the COVID pandemic response. A change in federal level policy could have dramatic effects on postsecondary education, including student financial aid, research and experimentation, telecommunications (distance learning), and related programs.
3. The statutory requirement or other authority for each goal of the plan.
   • Goal I: Increase Opportunities for Student Access and Success.
     1. Constitution (Article VIII, Section 5 (D) 4) – To formulate and make timely revision of a master plan. Similar statutory language appears in Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
   • Goal II: Ensure Quality and Accountability.
     1. Constitution (Article VIII, Section 5 (D) 4) – To formulate and make timely revision of a master plan. Similar statutory language appears in Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
     2. Constitution (Article VIII, Section 5 (D) 1,2) – To revise or eliminate existing academic programs and to approve or disapprove new program proposals. Similar statutory language appears in Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
     3. Constitution (Article VIII, Section 5 (D) 3) – To study the need for new institutions or change in mission of existing institutions. Similar statutory language appears in Title 17 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
     4. LCTCS – Our Promise 2030.
4. A description of any program evaluation used to develop objectives and strategies.
   • The goals and objectives in this Five-year Strategic Plan were derived in part from the LCTC System Strategic Plan. Several existing external and internal strategic plans were reviewed. These plans include: The Board of Regents’ Master Plan for Higher Education, the LCTCS – Our Promise 2030, the current LCTCS Strategic Plan as well as the plans of the system colleges. In addition, the System identified strategic directions for its future, which would allow for efficiency and effectiveness in addressing our roles as workforce training provider and the developer of human capital. Input was incorporated from staff, faculty, and college advisory committee members.
5. Identification of the primary persons who will benefit from or be significantly affected by each objective within the plan.
   • See Performance Indicator Documentation attached for each objective.
6. An explanation of how duplication of effort will be avoided when the operations of more than one program are directed at achieving a single goal, objective, or strategy.
   • For the purposes of Act 1465 of 1997, the LCTC System is a single program. Duplication of effort of more than one program is thus not applicable.
7. Documentation as to the validity, reliability, and appropriateness of each performance indicator, as well as the method used to verify and validate the performance indicators as relevant measures of each program’s performance.
   • See Performance Indicator Documentation attached for each performance indicator.
8. A description of how each performance indicator is used in management decision making and other agency processes.
   • See Performance Indicator Documentation attached for each performance indicator.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.1: Increase the fall enrollment by 24.61% from the baseline level of 3,068 in Fall 2021 to 3,823 by Fall 2027.
• Indicator Name: Number of for-credit students enrolled in the fall semester at SOWELA.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 15022

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, Reliability: Recognition of importance of Louisiana having educated citizens.
3. Use: SOWELA Technical Community College is committed to the recruitment, retention, progression, and graduation of its students. The importance of retaining, progressing, and graduating SOWELA’s admitted students cannot be overemphasized because many decisions relating to change on campus, affects recruitment strategies to student services, and from hiring strategies to course scheduling.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): No
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data in the form of datafiles are submitted by the college to the LCTCS and Board of Regents, such as the Statewide Student Profile System (SSPS). The LCTCS retrieves this information from the SSPS Datafile to produce institutional enrollment profiles. This system has been in existence for over 30 years. The process is such that the applicable datafiles are submitted three times annually, first after fall semester census date, second after the spring semester census date and third at the end of spring semester. For this indicator, fall data (the national standard) is used. The indicator is reported at the end of the third quarter to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data. The change will be measured from the baseline year to the year being examined.
6. Calculation Method: Headcount enrollment is counted by the number of students enrolled by the fall end of term. The percentage change is calculated using a standard mathematical approach such as subtracting the baseline fall enrollment in the baseline fall from the official fall enrollment and dividing the difference by the fall baseline fall semester headcount, resulting in a percentage change.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all students enrolled at SOWELA Technical Community College in each fall term.
8. Caveats: No real weaknesses. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects headcount enrollment and is not the enrollment calculation used for funding or reimbursement calculations.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, and Support: Yes, in year 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SSPS file for SOWELA and gave it a “Sufficiently Reliable” rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA submits the SSPS Datafile electronically to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS Office of Institutional Research & Planning. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and LCTCS works with the SOWELA to correct errors. When all errors are removed, the Board of Regents certifies the data and signifies that each campus submissions are complete; the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for SSPS.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.2: Increase the percentage of first-time in college, full-time, associate degree-seeking students retained to the second fall at the same institution of initial enrollment by 1.0 percentage points from the Fall 2021 cohort (to Fall 2022) baseline level of 63.0% to 64.0% by Fall 2027 (retention of Fall 2026 cohort).
• Indicator Name: Percentage of first-time, full-time, associate degree-seeking freshmen retained to the second Fall at the same institution of initial enrollment.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 24818

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, Reliability: Recognition of importance of Louisiana having educated citizens.
3. Use: SOWELA Technical Community College is committed to the recruitment, retention, progression, and graduation of its students. The importance of retaining, progressing, and graduating SOWELA’s admitted students cannot be overemphasized because many decisions relating to change on campus, affects recruitment strategies to student services, and from hiring strategies to course scheduling.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): No
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data in the form of datafiles are submitted by the college to the LCTCS and Board of Regents, such as the Statewide Student Profile System (SSPS). The LCTCS retrieves this information from the SSPS Datafile to produce institutional enrollment profiles. This system has been in existence for over 30 years. The process is such that the applicable datafiles are submitted three times annually, first after summer semester end of term date, second after the fall semester end of term date and third at the end of spring term. For this indicator, fall data (the national standard) is used. The indicator is reported at the end of the third quarter to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data. The change will be measured from the baseline year to the year being examined.
6. Calculation Method: Retention rates are calculated by taking the percentage of an incoming class (cohort) that is retained in the following fall. The change is calculated using a standard mathematical approach such as subtracting the fall first-time in college, full-time, degree-seeking students still enrolled in following fall semester from fall first-time in college, full-time, degree-seeking students (cohort) and dividing the difference by the fall semester students, resulting in a percentage change.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all students enrolled at SOWELA Technical Community College in each fall term.
8. Caveats: No real weaknesses. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects headcount enrollment and is not the enrollment calculation used for funding or reimbursement calculations.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, and Support: Yes, in year 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SSPS file for SOWELA and gave it a “Sufficiently Reliable” rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA submits the SSPS Datafile electronically to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS Office of Institutional Research & Planning. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and LCTCS works with the SOWELA to correct errors. When all errors are removed, the Board of Regents certifies the data and signifies that each campus submissions are complete; the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for SSPS.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.3: Increase the percentage of first-time in college, full-time, degree seeking students retained from the fall to the spring semester at the same Louisiana Technical College campus of initial enrollment by .5 percentage points from the fall 2021 cohort (to spring AY 2021-2022) baseline level of 78% to 78.5% by spring 2028 (Retention of fall 2027 cohort).
• Indicator Name: Percentage of first-time, full-time, associate degree-seeking freshmen retained to the following Spring at the same institution of initial enrollment.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 25150

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, Reliability: Recognition of importance of Louisiana having educated citizens.
3. Use: SOWELA Technical Community College is committed to the recruitment, retention, progression, and graduation of its students. The importance of retaining, progressing, and graduating SOWELA’s admitted students cannot be overemphasized because many decisions relating to change on campus, affects recruitment strategies to student services, and from hiring strategies to course scheduling.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): No
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data in the form of datafiles are submitted by the college to the LCTCS and Board of Regents, such as the Statewide Student Profile System (SSPS). The LCTCS retrieves this information from the SSPS Datafile to produce institutional enrollment profiles. This system has been in existence for over 30 years. The process is such that the applicable datafiles are submitted three times annually, first after summer semester end of term date, second after the fall semester end of term date and third at the end of spring term. For this indicator, fall data (the national standard) is used. The indicator is reported at the end of the third quarter to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data. The change will be measured from the baseline year to the year being examined.
6. Calculation Method: Retention rates are calculated by taking the percentage of an incoming class (cohort) that is retained in the following spring. The change is calculated using a standard mathematical approach such as subtracting the fall first-time in college, full-time, degree-seeking students still enrolled in following spring semester from fall first-time in college, full-time, degree-seeking students (cohort) and dividing the difference by the fall semester students, resulting in a percentage change.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all students enrolled at SOWELA Technical Community College in each fall term.
8. Caveats: No real weaknesses. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects headcount enrollment and is not the enrollment calculation used for funding or reimbursement calculations.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, and Support: Yes, in year 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SSPS file for SOWELA and gave it a “Sufficiently Reliable” rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA submits the SSPS Datafile electronically to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS Office of Institutional Research & Planning. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and LCTCS works with the SOWELA to correct errors. When all errors are removed, the Board of Regents certifies the data and signifies that each campus submissions are complete; the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for SSPS.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.4: Increase the graduation rate (defined as a student completing an award within 150% of “normal time”) from the baseline rate from fall 2018 cohort baseline level of 43% to 44% by 2027 (completion for Fall 2023 cohort).
• Indicator Name: Percentage of students enrolled at a Two-Year College identified in a first-time, full-time, degree-seeking cohort, graduating within 150% of “normal” time of degree completion from the institution of initial enrollment.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 24820

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, Reliability: Recognition of importance of Louisiana having educated citizens.
3. Use: SOWELA Technical Community College is committed to the recruitment, retention, progression, and graduation of its students. The importance of retaining, progressing, and graduating SOWELA’s admitted students cannot be overemphasized because many decisions relating to change on campus, affects recruitment strategies to student services, and from hiring strategies to course scheduling.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): No
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data is submitted by SOWELA to the LCTCS and Board of Regents’ Statewide Student Profile System (SSPS) and Statewide Completer System (SCS). The BOR system has been in existence for over 30 years.
   • Statewide Student Profile System (SSPS) – The SSPS Datafile is submitted three times a year, first after summer semester end of term date, second after the fall semester end of term date and third at the end of spring term. For this indicator, fall data (the national standard) is used. The indicator is reported at the end of the third quarter to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data. The change will be measured from the baseline year to the year being examined.
   • Student Completer System (SCS) – The SCS Datafile is submitted once a year. For this indicator, the number of annual completers is used. The indicator is reported in July of each year for the previous academic year to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data.
6. Calculation Methodology: Graduation rate is calculated by taking the total number of completers within 150% of normal time divided by the fall entering cohort total.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all completers at SOWELA who graduated within 150% of normal time (based on a specific fall cohort).
   • Student Completer System (SCS) – SOWELA Technical Community College submits the Completer Datafile to the LCTCS and the Board of Regents. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct errors. When all errors are removed, the Board of Regents certifies the data and signifies that each campus submissions are complete; the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for Completers.
8. Caveats: No weaknesses. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects retention at the same campus and does not include students who transfer to other institutions.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, and Support: Yes, in 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited both the SSPS and SCS files for SOWELA and gave it ‘Sufficiently Reliable’ ratings for both.
10. Responsible Person:
    • SSPS – The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA submits the SSPS data electronically to the LCTCS and the Board of Regents. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct errors. When all campus submissions are complete, the Regents’ staff builds a master file for SSPS.
    • SCS – The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA submits the SSPS data electronically to the LCTCS and the Board of Regents. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct errors. When all campus submissions are complete, the Regents’ staff builds a master file for SCS.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.5: Increase the total number of 1 year Certificate completers in a given academic year from the baseline year number of 530 in 2020-2021 to 600 in AY 2027-2028. Students may only be counted once per award level.
• Indicator Name: Total number of completers of 1-Year Certificate (CTS) awards.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 24821

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, and Reliability: SOWELA Technical Community College recognizes the importance of Louisiana having a higher number of students earning degrees for the further development of the state’s economy.
3. Use: SOWELA strives to and must increase the number of students graduating from its programs to enable the State close the gap in workforce shortfall. Therefore, SOWELA devotes additional resources which must be allocated to programs that target increased graduates. SOWELA has done this by instituting and utilizing a more targeted advising, better scheduling, career counseling, and better articulation, which will all contribute to increased graduates.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): None reported for this measure, although there is no reported jargon, postsecondary awards at SOWELA are defined as any recognized award approved by the Board of Supervisors of the LCTCS and conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College.
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data is submitted by the college through the LCTCS and to the Board of Regents Statewide Completer Datafile from the Student Enrollment System database. The BOR Statewide Completer File system has been in existence for over 30 years. The data is submitted once annually. For this indicator, annual completers will be used. The indicator is reported in July of each year to reflect data for the previous academic year so as to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data.
6. Calculation Methodology: The standard method practiced statewide for this calculation uses the Regents’ Completer File in which each award is counted, recorded, as submitted by SOWELA.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all postsecondary awards conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College for the previous academic year.
8. Caveats: No weaknesses recorded. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects all awards conferred and is not a graduation rate, which is done by cohort groups. More importantly, according to the LCTCS – Our Promise 2030, SOWELA reports all awards with no duplication within an award level.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, Support: Yes, in 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SCS file for SOWELA and gave it a ‘Sufficiently Reliable’ rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA Technical Community College submits the Completer Datafile to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct any errors. When all campus submissions are complete, the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for Completers.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.6: Increase the total number of Career and Technical Certificate (CTC) completers in a given academic year from the baseline year number of 146 in 2020-2021 to 165 in AY 2027-2028. Students may only be counted once per award level.
• Indicator Name: Total number of Career and Technical Certificates (CTC) awards.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 26531

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, and Reliability: SOWELA Technical Community College recognizes the importance of Louisiana having a higher number of students earning degrees for the further development of the state’s economy.
3. Use: SOWELA strives to and must increase the number of students graduating from its programs to enable the State close the gap in workforce shortfall. Therefore, SOWELA devotes additional resources which must be allocated to programs that target increased graduates. SOWELA has done this by instituting and utilizing a more targeted advising, better scheduling, career counseling, and better articulation, which will all contribute to increased graduates.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): None reported for this measure, although there is no reported jargon, postsecondary awards at SOWELA are defined as any recognized award approved by the Board of Supervisors of the LCTCS and conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College.
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data is submitted by the college through the LCTCS and to the Board of Regents Statewide Completer Datafile from the Student Enrollment System database. The BOR Statewide Completer File system has been in existence for over 30 years. The data is submitted once annually. For this indicator, annual completers will be used. The indicator is reported in July of each year to reflect data for the previous academic year so as to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data.
6. Calculation Methodology: The standard method practiced statewide for this calculation uses the Regents’ Completer File in which each award is counted, recorded, as submitted by SOWELA.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all postsecondary awards conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College for the previous academic year.
8. Caveats: No weaknesses recorded. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects all awards conferred and is not a graduation rate, which is done by cohort groups. More importantly, according to the LCTCS – Our Promise 2030, SOWELA reports all awards with no duplication within an award level.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, Support: Yes, in 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SCS file for SOWELA and gave it a ‘Sufficiently Reliable’ rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA Technical Community College submits the Completer Datafile to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct any errors. When all campus submissions are complete, the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for Completers.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.7: Increase the total number of Diploma completers in a given academic year from the baseline year number of 324 in 2020-2021 to 360 in AY 2027-2028. Students may only be counted once per award level.
• Indicator Name: Total number of Technical Diploma awards.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 26229

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, and Reliability: SOWELA Technical Community College recognizes the importance of Louisiana having a higher number of students earning degrees for the further development of the state’s economy.
3. Use: SOWELA strives to and must increase the number of students graduating from its programs to enable the State close the gap in workforce shortfall. Therefore, SOWELA devotes additional resources which must be allocated to programs that target increased graduates. SOWELA has done this by instituting and utilizing a more targeted advising, better scheduling, career counseling, and better articulation, which will all contribute to increased graduates.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): None reported for this measure, although there is no reported jargon, postsecondary awards at SOWELA are defined as any recognized award approved by the Board of Supervisors of the LCTCS and conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College.
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data is submitted by the college through the LCTCS and to the Board of Regents Statewide Completer Datafile from the Student Enrollment System database. The BOR Statewide Completer File system has been in existence for over 30 years. The data is submitted once annually. For this indicator, annual completers will be used. The indicator is reported in July of each year to reflect data for the previous academic year so as to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data.
6. Calculation Methodology: The standard method practiced statewide for this calculation uses the Regents’ Completer File in which each award is counted, recorded, as submitted by SOWELA.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all postsecondary awards conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College for the previous academic year.
8. Caveats: No weaknesses recorded. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects all awards conferred and is not a graduation rate, which is done by cohort groups. More importantly, according to the LCTCS – Our Promise 2030, SOWELA reports all awards with no duplication within an award level.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, Support: Yes, in 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SCS file for SOWELA and gave it a ‘Sufficiently Reliable’ rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA Technical Community College submits the Completer Datafile to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct any errors. When all campus submissions are complete, the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for Completers.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.8: Increase the total number of Associate degree completers in a given academic year from the baseline year number of 349 in 2020-2021 to 390 in AY 2027-2028. Students may only be counted once per award level.
• Indicator Name: Total number of Associate Degree awards.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 26230

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, and Reliability: SOWELA Technical Community College recognizes the importance of Louisiana having a higher number of students earning degrees for the further development of the state’s economy.
3. Use: SOWELA strives to and must increase the number of students graduating from its programs to enable the State close the gap in workforce shortfall. Therefore, SOWELA devotes additional resources which must be allocated to programs that target increased graduates. SOWELA has done this by instituting and utilizing a more targeted advising, better scheduling, career counseling, and better articulation, which will all contribute to increased graduates.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): None reported for this measure, although there is no reported jargon, postsecondary awards at SOWELA are defined as any recognized award approved by the Board of Supervisors of the LCTCS and conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College.
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data is submitted by the college through the LCTCS and to the Board of Regents Statewide Completer Datafile from the Student Enrollment System database. The BOR Statewide Completer File system has been in existence for over 30 years. The data is submitted once annually. For this indicator, annual completers will be used. The indicator is reported in July of each year to reflect data for the previous academic year so as to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data.
6. Calculation Methodology: The standard method practiced statewide for this calculation uses the Regents’ Completer File in which each award is counted, recorded, as submitted by SOWELA.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all postsecondary awards conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College for the previous academic year.
8. Caveats: No weaknesses recorded. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects all awards conferred and is not a graduation rate, which is done by cohort groups. More importantly, according to the LCTCS – Our Promise 2030, SOWELA reports all awards with no duplication within an award level.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, Support: Yes, in 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SCS file for SOWELA and gave it a ‘Sufficiently Reliable’ rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA Technical Community College submits the Completer Datafile to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct any errors. When all campus submissions are complete, the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for Completers.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.9: Increase the number of Undergraduate (adult 25+ years) completers in a given academic year from the baseline year number of 340 in 2020-2021 to 370 in AY 2027-2028.
• Indicator Name: Total number of completers of credential awards recognized by the Louisiana Board of Regents who are 25 years or age or older at time of completion.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 26532

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, and Reliability: SOWELA Technical Community College recognizes the importance of Louisiana having a higher number of students earning degrees for the further development of the state’s economy.
3. Use: SOWELA strives to and must increase the number of students graduating from its programs to enable the State close the gap in workforce shortfall. Therefore, SOWELA devotes additional resources which must be allocated to programs that target increased graduates. SOWELA has done this by instituting and utilizing a more targeted advising, better scheduling, career counseling, and better articulation, which will all contribute to increased graduates.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): None reported for this measure, although there is no reported jargon, postsecondary awards at SOWELA are defined as any recognized award approved by the Board of Supervisors of the LCTCS and conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College.
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data is submitted by the college through the LCTCS and to the Board of Regents Statewide Completer Datafile from the Student Enrollment System database. The BOR Statewide Completer File system has been in existence for over 30 years. The data is submitted once annually. For this indicator, annual completers will be used. The indicator is reported in July of each year to reflect data for the previous academic year so as to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data.
6. Calculation Methodology: The standard method practiced statewide for this calculation uses the Regents’ Completer File in which each award is counted, recorded, as submitted by SOWELA.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all postsecondary awards conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College for the previous academic year.
8. Caveats: No weaknesses recorded. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects all awards conferred and is not a graduation rate, which is done by cohort groups. More importantly, according to the LCTCS – Our Promise 2030, SOWELA reports all awards with no duplication within an award level.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, Support: Yes, in 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SCS file for SOWELA and gave it a ‘Sufficiently Reliable’ rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA Technical Community College submits the Completer Datafile to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct any errors. When all campus submissions are complete, the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for Completers.

Performance Indicator Documentation

• Program: SOWELA Technical Community College
• Objective 1.10: Increase the unduplicated number of underrepresented minorities (all races other than white, Asian, non-residents & unknown/not reported) completers in a given academic year form the baseline year number of 236 in 2020-2021 to 265 in AY 2027-2028.
• Indicator Name: Total number of completers of credential awards recognized by the Louisiana Board of Regents who are 25 years or age or older at time of completion.
• Indicator LaPAS PI Code: 26532

1. • Type: Output
   • Level: Key Indicator
2. Rationale, Relevance, and Reliability: SOWELA Technical Community College recognizes the importance of Louisiana having a higher number of students earning degrees for the further development of the state’s economy.
3. Use: SOWELA strives to and must increase the number of students graduating from its programs to enable the State to close the gap in workforce shortfall. Therefore, SOWELA devotes additional resources which must be allocated to programs that target increased graduates. SOWELA has done this by instituting and utilizing a more targeted advising, better scheduling, career counseling, and better articulation, which will all contribute to increased graduates.
4. Clarity (Does the indicator contain jargon, acronyms, or unclear terms? If so, clarify or define them.): None reported for this measure, although there is no reported jargon, postsecondary awards at SOWELA are defined as any recognized award approved by the Board of Supervisors of the LCTCS and conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College.
5. Data Source, Collection and Reporting: Data is submitted by the college through the LCTCS and to the Board of Regents Statewide Completer Datafile from the Student Enrollment System database. The BOR Statewide Completer File system has been in existence for over 30 years. The data is submitted once annually. For this indicator, annual completers will be used. The indicator is reported in July of each year to reflect data for the previous academic year so as to allow time for data collection, aggregation, and editing of the data.
6. Calculation Methodology: The standard method practiced statewide for this calculation uses the Regents’ Completer File in which each award is counted, recorded, as submitted by SOWELA.
7. Scope: This indicator is the aggregate of all postsecondary awards conferred by SOWELA Technical Community College for the previous academic year.
8. Caveats: No weaknesses recorded. The reader must understand that this indicator reflects all awards conferred and is not a graduation rate, which is done by cohort groups. More importantly, according to the LCTCS – Our Promise 2030, SOWELA reports all awards with no duplication within an award level.
9. Accuracy, Maintenance, Support: Yes, in 2019, the Office of the Legislative Auditor has audited the SCS file for SOWELA and gave it a ‘Sufficiently Reliable’ rating.
10. Responsible Person: The Office of Planning & Analysis at SOWELA Technical Community College submits the Completer Datafile to the Board of Regents through the LCTCS. The LCTCS and the Board of Regents performs numerous edits and works with SOWELA to correct any errors. When all campus submissions are complete, the Board of Regents’ staff builds a master file for Completers.