Northwest Indian College unveils new Strategic Plan
7-year comprehensive plan informed by diverse perspectives; will serve as roadmap for College’s long-term goals and initiatives
Northwest Indian College is proud to announce our Strategic Plan for 2026-2032!
The seven-year plan is Northwest Indian College’s guide to strengthening and building upon our current work and how NWIC can best serve our students, colleagues and communities. It is the culmination of more than a year-and-a-half of thoughtful consideration, hard work, dedication and vision.
The planning process was intentionally collaborative and relational, with a strong focus on community engagement throughout each stage. Through focus groups, listening sessions, shared conversations and opportunities for feedback, NWIC gathered perspectives from across the College and our communities to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. NWIC’s Strategic Planning Committee met with every NWIC department and the broader communities NWIC serves to gather input related to the College’s goals. This method began at the conclusion of the 2017-2024 Strategic Plan and included critical reflection and analysis on the progress of each objective. NWIC also held focus groups with constituents and conducted a community needs survey to gather qualitative and quantitative data and information. During the listening sessions, students, community members, staff and faculty shared their needs, requests for improvement and highlighted areas of strength.
The approach taken in creating the plan demonstrates Northwest Indian College’s commitment to inclusivity and community engagement, and ensures the College’s Strategic Plan is informed by diverse perspectives.
NWIC sincerely thanks everyone who contributed their time, effort and ideas. Your insights helped build and lead to NWIC’s new Strategic Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for the College’s long-term goals and initiatives.
NWIC’s 2026-2032 Strategic Plan centers on six core objectives designed to acknowledge and prioritize the diverse needs of students, address critical operational needs, foster a sense of ownership among stakeholders, and position the College for continued success.
These six objectives are:
- Strengthen Institution-wide Communication
- Expand Site-based Services and Resource Allocation
- Implement a Comprehensive Indigenous Reconciliation Framework
- Enhance Institutional Capacity for Sustained Growth
- Build Community Through Reciprocal Relationships
- Provide Holistic Student-centered Support and Wraparound Integrated Services
Within each of these objectives are specific indicators and activities drawn from input gathered from the focus groups and community survey. The activities listed serve as guiding examples of how NWIC may work toward achieving each objective. Formal implementation plans that define the strategies, timelines and measures for each objective are in process.
By pursuing the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan, NWIC is well-situated to achieve its mission and make a meaningful impact on its students and communities. Regular reflections will assess advancements made toward strategic goals and allow for interventions and changing approaches as needed. Over the next several years, NWIC and its Strategic Planning Committee will bring progress back to our communities and stakeholders to ensure the College’s activities and actions match the needs of our students and communities that NWIC serves.
The plan was approved by NWIC’s Board of Trustees at their regularly scheduled meeting on January 14, 2026.
The 2026-2032 Strategic Plan was created through a community-based approach. Through the process of creating this plan, the Strategic Planning Committee spent time with our students, and community members, in Lummi and at our Extended Campuses. They listened to what people had to say about the needs of the communities and how the College can grow in the next 7 years. We are very excited for the work ahead of us and want to thank each and every person who contributed their time to this work,” said Dr. Lexie Tom, Northwest Indian College President.
This is an exciting time for Northwest Indian College! We look forward to moving into the future guided by our Strategic Plan, and our mission, vision and values, which are at the core of everything we do.
NWIC’s Strategic Plan can be found here.
