The Pierce College shared governance system is comprised of the District Policy and Governance Cabinet (cabinet) and five policy and planning councils. Each council has a specific scope of work identified in its charter, which includes a specific focus on institutional policy and procedures.

Participation in shared governance is inclusive. All members of the college community have opportunity for their voices to be heard and considered in decisions that affect the mission and operation of Pierce College.

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diagram representing the five policy and planning councils that report to the cabinet, which then reports to the board of trustees

As represented in this image, the five councils (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council, Facilities and Safety Council, Learning Council, Student Advancement Council, and Technology Council) report to the District Policy and Governance Cabinet (Cabinet) chaired by the Chancellor. The Institutional Effectiveness Committee is responsible for monitoring mission fulfillment and recommending priorities by Core Theme to the Executive Team and shared governance councils. Cabinet is the shared governance body that makes recommendations to the Chancellor to bring forward to the Board of Trustees for their consideration.

Interested in Becoming Involved in Shared Governance at Pierce College?

Pierce College shared governance stakeholder groups include: administrative-exempt, classified staff, faculty, and students.  Each stakeholder group is represented on Cabinet and four of the five councils. Learning Council membership includes faculty and instructional administrator representation.  The Institutional Effectiveness Committee includes representation from each employment group.  

Employees interested in becoming a member of Cabinet, a council, or the Institutional Effectiveness Committee, please contact current chairs, your supervisor, or a union representative for information. Students interested in becoming a member, please contact Student Life for information.

Cabinet, Councils, and Institutional Effectiveness Committee

Each council is chaired by an Executive Team member and an elected member.

District Policy and Governance Cabinet

Cabinet is responsible for steering and assessing the institution’s system of representative, shared governance; district operating budget oversight including recommendation of the values and principles for the district budget process and final annual budget recommendation to the Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Board of Trustees' approval; discussing issues confronting the district; monitoring institutional effectiveness; and advising the chancellor.

Chair: Chancellor and CEO

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council shapes policy and assist faculty and staff in developing equitable assessment and general practices across the District. The direction they set for the District is in alignment with the overall vision, mission, objectives, and Core Themes of the District’s strategic plan.

Co-Chairs: Vice President for Equity, Innovation, and Engagement and an elected member

Facilities and Safety Council

The Facilities and Safety Council develops, reviews, and evaluates plans and policies, and sets direction for facilities in accordance with the vision, mission, values, core abilities, and strategic plan of the District.

Co-Chairs: Vice President for Administrative Services, Finance and an elected member

Learning Council

The Learning Council develops, reviews, and evaluates plans and sets direction for instructional and student learning support in accordance with vision, mission, values, core abilities, fundamental areas of knowledge, and strategic direction of the District. Learning Council evaluates and makes recommendations for new courses, certificates, and degrees; identifies new instructional and student success directions that align with mission, core abilities, and Core Themes, and formulates or updates policies regarding instruction; and ensures alignment with accreditation standards.

Co-Chairs: A Vice President for Learning and Student Success and an elected member

Outcomes Team

The Outcomes Team, a standing sub-committee of the Learning Council, provides leadership for outcomes‐based learning assessment; responds to accreditation initiatives; and provides support to Institutional Effectiveness.

Chair: Director of Educational Outcomes and Effectiveness

Student Advancement Council

The Student Advancement Council develops, reviews, and evaluates plans and set directions for student services and student learning support in accordance with the vision, mission, values, core abilities, fundamental areas of knowledge, and strategic plan of the District.

Co-Chairs: A Vice President for Learning and Student Success and an elected member

Technology Council

The Technology Council develops, reviews and evaluates the District’s technology strategic plan, including the technology replacement plan; and technology policies in accordance with the mission, vision, values, core abilities, and strategic directions of the district.  

Co-chairs: Chief Information Officer and an elected member

Institutional Effectiveness Committee

The Institutional Effectiveness Committee is responsible for developing and reporting on the performance indicators that evaluate mission fulfillment. The Institutional Research Office works with the Institutional Effectiveness Committee to develop and publish an Institutional Effectiveness Report. The Institutional Effectiveness Committee uses the findings from the report to recommend priorities by Core Theme to the Executive Team and shared governance councils.  More information on Institutional Effectiveness can be found on Pierce College’s Facts and Statistics page.

Co-chairs: Vice President for Learning and Student Success and an elected member