1. Community Needs Assessment Study Results for Central Campus
Summer/Fall 2001
Department of Planning and Research

2. Last Community Survey
CPCC conducted the Citizen’s Survey in 1994 as part of the Strategic Master Plan
This survey was conducted prior to the multi-campus expansion
It was time to do another

3. Procedures In the Summer of 2001 An HTML survey was developed
Invitational ads were placed in newspapers, on the CPCC homepage and on the Fall 2001 schedule
198 individuals/businesses completed the on-line surveys

4. Procedures
The same survey was created as a scannable pencil-paper survey and approximately 350 copies were distributed by the campus Deans
They were distributed to civic groups, participants at community events and a few students in CCE classes
Several Deans participated heavily, others participated little or not at all
Surveys were returned by 179 individuals/businesses

5. Procedures
Planning and Research offered to do two focus groups per campus
No focus groups were requested for Central

6. Choice of Campus
Participants were asked what Campus they would like to attend
Of the 377 participants, 178 wanted to attend the Central Campus
These data are based on the responses of those 178 participants

7. Demographics of Central Respondents
Gender
male %
female %
Age
25 or less % % %
over %
The Central group was much younger than the entire
sample.

8. Demographics, continued
Ethnicity
White %
African American %
Other minority %
Employment Status
Unemployed %
Employed %
full-time %
part-time %
A higher percentage of the Central group was minority and
employed than the entire sample.

9. Central Demographics, continued
Income Level (what is your annual income)
18.8% earned less than $19,999
33.8% earned $20,000 - $39,999
13.8% earned $40,000 - $59,999
21.9% earned $60,000 - $99,999
11.9% earned $100,000 or more
The income level of the Central group was lower
that the entire sample.

10. Demographics, continued
Areas of Employment of Central Participants
18.9% business 8.8% banking/finance
8.2% service 7.5% education
7.5% health 6.3% technology 3.8% engineering 3.1% transportation 3.1% computer 2.5% arts
30.2% other/not listed

11. Relationship of Central Participants to College
Participants could indicate more than one response. Participants by percent were:
43.3% current students
37.1% community residents /potential students
28.1% former students
7.9% employers

12. Number of Potential Students by Household
Participants were asked “how many in your household might be interested in attending the College?”
17.7% indicated “none”
75.4% indicated 1-2 individuals
1.1% indicated 3-4 individuals
5.7% indicated more than 4 individuals

13. What Would Be Your Goal in Attending CPCC
Participants could select more than one answer:
54.5% Personal interest/enrichment
36.5% Prepare for different job
34.8% Take continuing education courses
29.8% Update skills for current job
24.2% Obtain 2-yr degree and enter workforce
24.2% Obtain 2-yr degree and transfer
21.3% Obtain diploma/certificate

14. Goal, continued 19.7% Take a few courses and transfer
16.3% Obtain short-term training (1 sem. or less)
9.0% Improve reading, writing and math skills
6.2% Obtain high school diploma or GED
3.9% Prepare for first job
2.2% Take ESL courses
Participants could select more than one answer.

15. Of Those Who Preferred Central Campus (n=178)
The following % also expressed interest in attending
the following campuses:
South Campus 32.4%
College Without Walls 25.2%
West Campus %
North Campus %
High School Location 18.8%
Southwest Campus 16.7%
Northeast Campus 10.1%
My workplace %
City View Center 5.6%
Participants could select more than one answer.

16. Reason for Campus Selection
Close to home %
Easy drive to and from %
Close to work %
Close to daycare or relatives 6.7%
Participants could select more than one answer.

17. Convenient Time to Take Classes
evenings %
on weekends %
mornings %
afternoons %
Participants could select more than one answer.

18. Are any of the following critical to the decision to attend?
The following % answered “yes”
48.3% Tuition waivers
40.4% Federal financial aid
38.5% Scholarships
Participants could select more than one answer.

19. Greatest Barriers to Attending...
Available personal time %
Work Schedule %
Financial Resources %
Time commitment %
Childcare %
Transportation %
My formal education %
My age %
Understanding registration process %
My disability %
Difficulty reading the schedule %
Participants could select more than one answer.

20. Services Considered Important in Making the Decision to Attend
Percent considering service somewhat important to top priority
95.5% parking
92.6% bookstore
92.0% library
75.4% academic advising
73.6% career services and job placement
63.7% tutoring services
63.1% financial aid
59.1% food services
53.1% lifetime address
46.6% student activities and campus life
39.7% bus transportation
Participants could select more than one answer.

21. Preferred Time and Method of Using These Services
58.8% via Internet/web page
36.2% in person
5.1% via mail
Time
59.2% evening
30.5% daytime
10.3% weekends

22. The Best Way for Central Students to Receive Information about CPCC
63.5% CPCC catalog/schedule
45.5% Internet
42.1% newspaper
36.0% word-of-mouth
19.7% television or cable channel
9.0% radio
7.3% workplace or company newsletter
3.9% billboards
Participants could select more than one answer.

23. Aspects of our Mission: What They Didn’t Know
College offers pre-college programs
(ESL, basic skills, adult HS, etc.) %
College offers college transfer programs 34.8%
College has supportive student environment 32.6%
College contributes to economy of community 34.3%
College strengthens social life of community 30.3%
College offers technical career programs 32.6%
Quality of faculty %
College meets individual student needs 21.9%
College contributes to cultural life of community 20.8%
Percent responding “I don’t know”

24. What They Didn’t Know, continued
Percent responding
“I don’t know”
Provides high quality programs and services 15.7%
College has variety of methods
(in-class, distance ed., etc.) %
College is financially affordable %
Variety of class times %
Commitment to lifelong learning %
College has available students services %
College offers a variety of programs %
College has convenient locations, accessible
to work and home %

25. Aspects of Our Mission - Mean Scores (How We’re Doing)
Commitment to lifelong learning
College offers a variety of programs
College has convenient locations, accessible
to work and home
College offers technical career programs 3.09
College has variety of methods
(in-class, distance education, etc.)
College offers pre-college programs
(ESL, basic skills, adult HS, etc.)
College is financially affordable
Mean Score
Scale 1-4 -poor, fair, good, excellent

26. How We’re Doing, continued
Provides high quality programs and services 2.97
College offers college transfer programs 2.97
Quality of faculty
College contributes to economy of community 2.84
College meets individual student needs 2.83
Variety of class times
College contributes to cultural life of community 2.79
College strengthens social life of community 2.77
College has available students services 2.76
College has supportive student environment 2.69
Mean Score
Scale poor, fair, good, excellent

27. Participants Were Asked….
“Were you aware that a student who completes their first two years of college coursework at CPCC and is accepted at any of the UNC four-year institutions, will enter as a junior and all course work will transfer?”
60.7% indicated that they were aware of our articulation agreement

28. Participants Were Asked….
“Are you aware that high school students in CMS are allowed to earn college credit while attending CPCC during their junior and senior years?”
58.3% were aware of our college-experience programs

29. Perceptions of CPCC Overall perception of CPCC
78.3% positive or very positive
16.5% neutral or no opinion
5.1% poor or very negative
Would you recommend CPCC to a friend or family member?
98.9% said “yes” (80.6% without reservation and 18.3% with some reservation)

30. What can CPCC do to attract students to the College?
More marketing and visibility
Advertisements
Career fairs
More information on internet
Radio, cable TV or direct mail
Free workshops
Work with high schools
Special programs in businesses
Annual event highlighting opportunities

31. …to attract students, continued
More variety of courses
more routes to get the GED
more courses at area campuses and centers
adult enrichment programs
offer Information Technology courses like ECPI instead of Information Systems
more flexible scheduling (eve. and weekend)
more technical/vocational skills courses
specific courses (aviation, photography, writing, history)

32. …to attract students, continued
Student Services Issues
More financial aid services
Appeal to special interest groups
single-parents with older kids to encourage them to return to school
Older adults to overcome fears of learning
Reliable information on tutors and how to contact them

33. What programs would you be interested in studying?
1. Technology Courses
Digital photography
Computer applications
Web design/development courses
Desk top publishing
Computer software
IT certification in ConEd
E-commerce
Update your skills in Microsoft
Programming

34. …. Programs, continued 2. Culinary and Health 3. Arts
hospitality education through CWW
cooking and the use of herbs
alternative medicine and medical terminology
healthcare, respiratory care and nursing
3. Arts
Dance
Yoga
Art (for credit and non-credit)
Music
Creative writing

35. ... Programs, continued 4. Office related human resources
starting your own business
business administration
purchasing certification
marketing
insurance
public relations
financial investing and financial counseling
grant writing

36. ... Programs, continued 5. Miscellaneous Spanish and other languages
Aviation, professional pilots certification
Auto mechanics, welding, plumbing
Child development
Career services and career preparation
Classes for fun (hobbies)

37. As a community college, what does CPCC do well?
Great access: place, courses and time
Availability to those who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity
Variety of programs
Basics in all areas
Prepares students to fill the need in the community
Provides opportunities to people at different times in their lives, today’s career patterns, from Kid’s College to seniors
Communicates with and touches the community
Provides continuing education
Reasonable price
Serves the community

38. For a Copy of this Presentation
Go to:
click on “Studies and Reports”