The Consortium operates four higher education access programs within the Worcester Public Schools—Educational Talent Search, GEAR UP, Careers Plus and Kids to College.
Mission, Vision & Strategic Priorities
The Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc., founded in 1968, is an effective mechanism for cooperation among institutions of higher education in central Massachusetts and beyond. Given this role, and recognizing the important challenges that educational institutions face in our society today, the Consortium has defined its mission as follows:
Mission Statement
The Colleges of Worcester Consortium, Inc. is a not-for-profit association of public and private accredited colleges and universities located in central Massachusetts. We are committed to working cooperatively both to further the missions of the member institutions individually and to advance higher education regionally.
The Consortium:
- Serves as a mechanism through which member and partner institutions share resources and cooperate for the benefit of current and potential students, faculty, staff and the greater community;
- Provides a forum for members and community leaders to explore ideas and concerns affecting higher education;
- Promotes the role of higher education in the region's educational, economic and cultural vitality; and
- Promotes communication and cooperation among its members and local, state and national governments.
Vision Statement
In 2007, the Board of Directors discussed the demographic challenges in meeting their future enrollment goals. In addition, the Board recognized the ongoing challenge of marketing Worcester and the region to potential students and their families. As a result, the Board adopted the following vision statement:
To position Worcester and the region as a premier destination for undergraduate and graduate students as well as college and university faculty and staff.
Strategic Priorities
In 1999 and again in 2004, the Board of Directors reviewed the strategic priorities for the organization. The Board of Directors takes pride in and endorses the benefits the Consortium brings to its many constituencies. The Consortium is committed to creating value for students, faculty, staff and its sustaining member institutions.
In defining these strategic priorities, we identify what for this Consortium, at this time in 2008, come to the forefront as important areas of focus.
Our intent is to strengthen the Consortium by continuing to focus on three areas of strategic priority:
- Enhancing the educational experience: The Consortium will work collaboratively with its member institutions to enhance and promote the educational experience for current and potential students (including students served through the Consortium "access" programs) faculty and staff.
- Employing economies of scale: The Consortium will enhance benefits to members through increased emphasis on programs and services that provide cost savings and efficiencies.
- Increasing impact on Greater Worcester and the state: The Consortium will help its member institutions to increase and communicate their economic, intellectual, educational and cultural impact on Greater Worcester and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with special emphasis on serving the local region and its people.
-The Board of Directors, April 7, 2008
Read the full Strategic Plan (18.24K PDF)