2007-08
Academic Affairs (AA)
DIVISION PLAN
PREFACE
Tri-County Technical College’s mission, vision, values and its priorities for 2005-2008 are as follows:
MISSION:
Tri-County Technical College is a public, two-year community college dedicated to serving as a catalyst for the economic and lifelong development of the citizens of Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties through outstanding programs and unparalleled service. An open admissions institution with primary focus on teaching and learning, the College serves approximately 6,000 to 7,000 students through both on-campus and distance learning courses. The College grants certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees in technical, career, and transfer programs. The College also offers certificates in continuing education programs.
VISION:
Tri-County Technical College will be the role model for community college education through dedication to high standards, a nurturing environment, community alliances, and innovative leadership.
VALUES:
Integrity: Respect for the dignity, equality, and potential of self and others in personal and professional
Interactions
Responsibility: Accountability in personal, professional, community, and fiscal affairs
Accessibility: Equal opportunity to advance professionally and personally in a clean, safe, stimulating,
and aesthetically pleasing environment
Collaboration: Partnerships among students, faculty, staff, and community to promote open and
effective communication, decision-making, and implementation of ideas and processes
Learning: Facilitation of intellectual and technical growth through commitment to continuous
improvement and innovation
PRIORITIES:
Enhance Opportunities for Student Success
Promote a Collegial and Diverse Environment*
Promote Professional Development and Personal Enrichment of Employees*
Promote Economic and Community Development*
Optimize Use of Resources*
Improve the Physical Environment
Expand Educational Opportunities
*Priorities modified or added for 2006-07 and 2007-08
2007-08 STRATEGIC PLANNING
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (AA) DIVISION PLAN
Dr. Phil Buckhiester, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Table of Contents
SECTION I: COLLEGE STRATEGIC PLAN – Division-related Activities
CSP Priority 1: Enhance Opportunities for Student Success Page 4
CSP Priority 2: Promote a Collegial and Diverse Environment Page 8
CSP Priority 3: Promote Professional Development and Personal Enrichment of Employees Page 9
CSP Priority 4: Promote Economic and Community Development Page 11
CSP Priority 5: Optimize Use of Resources Page 13
CSP Priority 6: Improve the Physical Environment Page 14
CSP Priority 7: Expand Educational Opportunities Page 14
SECTION II: DIVISION SPECIFIC Priorities, Initiatives, and Activities
AA Priority 1: Enhance Teaching and Learning Page 16
AA Priority 2: Improve and Expand Assessment Methods Page 18
AA Priority 3: Expand Program Offerings Page 20
Academic Affairs Division Plan 2007-2008
Page 4 of 23
SECTION I: COLLEGE STRATEGIC PLAN – Division-related Activities
CSP Priority 1: Enhance Opportunities for Student Success
1AStudent Learning Initiative: Establish the essential foundation elements for becoming a Learning College.
Activities:
1A.1 Implement the first phase of the Learning Excellence Initiative (LEI). (VPAA)
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results*** /
1A.1.1 / Conduct Smart Start sessions for LEI students / Smart Start Coordinator, trained facilitators, academic advisor liaisons / August 2007 / D / None
1A.1.2 / Review LEI-Implementation Team subgroup membership and make any necessary adjustments / LEI Director, LEI Implementation Team / August 2007 / P / None
1A.1.3 / Establish a Faculty Learning Community (FLC); create a WebCT shell to facilitate communication and sharing among FLC members / Learning Communities/Freshman Seminar Coordinator, Director of Instructional Support / Septem-ber 2007 / D / None
1A.1.4 / Explore options to adapt LEI for evening students / LEI Director and Director of Evening Program and Distance Education / Septem-ber 2007 / D / None
1A.1.5 / Collaborate with Clemson officials to adapt LEI for Bridge to Clemson students / LEI Director, Bridge Program Coordinators at TCTC and Clemson / May 2008 / D / None
1A.1.6 / Review/refine Learning Communities plan for course pairs (2008-2009) / LEI Director and LEI Implementation Team / November 2007 / D / None
1A.1.7 / Provide LEI-related outcome data as well as development and/or improvement needs (and resource requirements) to the Institutional Effectiveness Committee in preparation for the College’s annual cycle for strategic planning / LEI Director, LEI Implementation Team / November 2007 / P / None
1A.1.8 / Collect Fall 2007 learning outcomes assessment data from SS, FS, and paired courses / LEI Director, Learning Communities/Freshman Seminar Coordinator, SS Coordinator, paired course instructors / January 2008 / B / None
1A.1.9 / Develop student award/recognition opportunities for achievement in learning communities / LEI Director, LEI Implementation Team / February 2008 / D / None
1A.1.10 / Train faculty participating in 2008-2009 learning communities / LEI Director, Learning Communities/Freshman Seminar Coordinator / May 2008 / D / None
1A.1.11 / Modify LEI design for evening students / LEI Director, Director of Evening Program and Distance Education / April 2008 / D / None
1A.1.12 / Request first new full-time faculty for Freshman Seminar / LEI Director / Early March 2008 / D / None
1A.1.13 / Collect Spring 2008 learning outcomes assessment data from Smart Start, Freshman Seminar, and paired courses / LEI Director, Learning Communities/Freshman Seminar Coordinator, Smart Start Coordinator, paired course instructors / June 2008 / B / None
Comments****:
* Type = [D]evelopment (new) or [P]rocess Improvement (result of outcomes assessment) or [B]oth
** Funding = Amount of institutional funding required beyond current budget allotments.
*** Results = Measurable outcome (information provided at the end of the planning period)
**** Comments = Additional information regarding outcomes or conditions affecting outcomes. (Information provided at the end of the planning period.)
1A.2 Establish the Institutional Effectiveness Committee and appropriate work mechanisms to support Learning College principles. (VPs)
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results***
1A.2.1 / Develop a proposal for an IE committee structure/charge / Special Assistant to the President, Director of Institutional Research / Fall 2007 / D / None
1A.2.2 / Organize and deploy the new college portal based on learning college concepts / Director of Institutional Research / Fall 2007 / D / None
Comments****:
1A.3 Continue and expand communications with the campus community regarding Learning College initiatives and accomplishments.
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results*** /
1A.3.0.1 / Offer a Learning College 101 workshop to continue the education of faculty and staff on learning college concepts / Director of Organizational and Professional Development, Director of Instructional Support / Fall 2007 / D / None
1A.3.0.2 / Continue to communicate with campus community the role that the eTC portal plays in supporting the communication aspects of learning college principles / Director of Institutional Research / Fall 2007 / D / None
Comments****:
1A.3.1 Send teams of faculty and staff to at least one key learning conference; present summaries of experience during Coffee Talks or other
college-wide forums. (VPs) N/A for 2007-2008 (AA Division)
1A.4 Establish mechanisms to more specifically tie a “Culture of Evidence” approach to student learning outcomes. (Executive Staff)
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results***
1A.4.1 / Explore the feasibility of using Worldwide Instructional Design System (WIDS) to assist faculty in developing and assessing student learning outcomes or determine some other mechanism for completing the SACS requirement / Director of Organizational and Professional Development / Fall 2007 / B / None
1A.4.2 / Establish a discussion group to discuss the Community College Survey of Student Engagement Results (CCSEE) results / Director of Organizational and Professional Development, Director of Instructional Support / Fall 2007 / D / None
1A.4.3 / Develop model e-portfolio for NUR(HE) / Health Education Department Heads, Dean of Health Education / TBD / D / Grant dependent
1A.4.4 / Assess the second cycle of academic programs outcomes assessment program to identify areas for improvement / Director of Institutional Research, Director of Organizational and Professional Development / Spring 2008 / B / None
Comments****:
1B Student Retention Initiative: Improve the programming and services that impact student retention.
Activities:
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results***
1B.0.1 / Develop Title III grant proposal to enhance student and faculty learning and academic support / Director of Instructional Support / Spring 2008 / D / None
1B.0.2 / Coordinate second year of the Noel-Levitz survey on factors that impact student retention, providing longitudinal data to index institutional improvements / Director of Institutional Research / Fall 2007 / D / None
Comments****:
1B.1 Conduct a study of student perception regarding the “Tri-County Technical College student experience” (students enrolled full-time in day classes on the Pendleton Campus) and identify gaps in relation to the model designed by the Student Experience Task Force in 2007. (VPSA)
1B.2 Complete an analysis of changes needed in order to support an effective transition to mandatory placement process. (VPAA, VPSA)
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results***
1B.2.1 / Implement a tracking system in Banner to capture and monitor prerequisite overrides / Research and Evaluation Department, Comprehensive Studies Department Head / October 2007 / D / None
1B.2.2 / Analyze prerequisite override data from Banner to determine the degree and impact of placement overrides / Research and Evaluation Department, Comprehensive Studies Department Head / June 2008 / D / None
Comments****:
1B.3 Review and improve the “admitted-to-advised-to-registered” process for new and/or continuing students. (VPAA, VPBA, VPSA, VPIA)
N/A for 2007-2008 (AA Division)
1B.4 Improve student ratings of first-time postsecondary students for Fall 2007 to Fall 2008 from baseline of 47.7 percent (fall 2004 to fall 2005 graduated or retained) to 53 percent. (VPs) N/A for 2007-2008 (AA Division)
CSP Priority 2: Promote a Collegial and Diverse Environment
2A Organizational Culture Initiative: Foster an organizational culture that encourages open and full participation of all employees and students in the life of the College.
Activities:
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results***
2A.0.1 / Cultivate the Learning Support Community of Practice / Community of Practice (CoP) members / Spring 2008 / P / None
2A.0.2 / Sponsor a Book Club event once a semester that encourages students, staff, and faculty to participate in the reading and discussion of a specific book / Library Director / May 2008 / P / None
2A.0.3 / Provide opportunities for significant employee input to the content layout for the eTC portal / Director of Institutional Research / Fall 2007 / D / None
2A.0.4 / Improve the process for developing, revising, and communicating policies and procedures / Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of Organizational and Professional Development / May 2008 / D / None
2A.0.5 / Improve the process for getting work done through committees / Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of Organizational and Professional Development / May 2008 / D / None
Comments****:
2A.1 Use results of organizational culture survey administered in April 2007 to identify two strategies for improvement and begin implementation of those strategies. (Executive Staff)
2A.2 Publish an Employee Handbook. (VPBA)
2B Diversity Initiative: Increase diversity of the campus community.
Activities:
2B.1 Develop a diversity recruitment plan.
2B.1.1 Analyze strengths/weaknesses of current marketing and outreach initiatives. (VPBA, VPSA, VPIA, VPED)
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results***
2B.1.1.1 / Develop survey questions for the fall student survey to provide data to the Public Relations department regarding efficacy of marketing and outreach initiatives / Director of Institutional Research / Fall 2007 / P / None
Comments****:
2B.1.2 Identify data/reports available to analyze minority recruitment and hiring processes; identify benchmarks for minority recruitment and hiring.
(VPBA) N/A for 2007-2008 (AA Division)
2B.2 Research ‘best practices” in promoting diversity on college campuses; identify strategies appropriate to Tri-County’s needs. (VPAA, VPBA, VPSA, VPIA) N/A for 2007-2008 (AA Division)
2B.3 Achieve 100% participation of full-time employees in the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) training and implement procedures in each institutional division to ensure that new full-time employees also complete NCBI training. (Executive Stafff) N/A for 2007-2008 (AA Division)
CSP Priority 3: Promote Professional Development and Personal Enrichment of Employees
3A Professional Development Initiative: Provide mechanisms to build awareness, develop skills, and expand perspectives of employees through professional development.
Activities:
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results***
3A.0.1 / Pilot faculty/professional learning communities – one for the LEI community of faculty and professionals and one to learn more about faculty/professional learning communities / Director of the LEI, Director of the Student Learning Communities, Director of Organizational and Professional Development, and Director of Instructional Support / Spring 2008 / D / None
3A.0.2 / Provide technical planning and/or assistance as needed for professional development activities / Director of Media Resources / Spring 2008 / D / None
Comments****:
3A.1 Document and publish procedures for a coordinated system to promote and offer professional development activities that support the College mission, vision, values, and priorities. (VPAA, VPBA)
Activity/Task # / Description / Responsibility / Expected Completion Date / Type* / Amount of New
Funding Required** / Results***
3A.1.1 / Assist the Executive Staff in reviewing and revising the current professional development philosophy to verify that it supports the College mission, vision, values, and priorities. Get clarification on what processes and systems are to be included in a coordinated system for promoting and offering professional development activities (e.g. funding, funding sources, organizational responsibilities and structures, supervisory responsibilities, accountability, continued input from constituents, etc.). / Director of Personnel/ Director of Organizational and Professional Development / May 2008 / D / None
3A.1.2 / Document the current processes for promoting and offering professional development activities for the Executive Staff. / Director of Personnel/ Director of Organizational and Professional Development / May 2008 / D / None
3A.1.3 / Research best practices for promoting and offering professional development activities for the Executive Staff. / Director of Personnel/ Director of Organizational and Professional Development / May 2008 / D / None
3A.1.4 / Gather College employee input on promoting and offering professional development activities using focus groups. / Director of Personnel/ Director of Organizational and Professional Development / May 2008 / D / None
3A.1.5 / Develop a proposal for promoting and offering professional development activities based on best practice research and College input that supports the professional development philosophy and seek approval from the Executive Staff. / Director of Personnel/ Director of Organizational and Professional Development / May 2008 / D / None
Comments****:
3A.2 Provide appropriate support for professional development. (Executive Staff)