Program Review
Instructional Program:
Disability & Occupational Support Programs
Document Prepared By:
Anne Sherman, Program Director
Disability & Occupational Support Services Office
Year of Review:
2011 – 2012
19 / Updated 2/8/12- ISIS
Grand Rapids Community College Program Review / Report
The Program Profile
______
A. The Mission/Purpose
The Mission/Statement of Purpose
Data/Information: Enter mission statement
The mission of Disability Support Services is to provide equal access to students with documented disabilities to enhance their potential for academic success.
The mission of the Occupational Support Program is to provide supportive services to eligible students enrolled in identified occupational curricula to enhance their potential for academic success.
Evaluation (using criteria & tactics):
Our mission statement for Disability Support Services is better stated on our website. For accuracy and consistency, we will use the website version as we move forward from here. Following is the broader more inclusive mission statement for DSS:
The mission of Disability Support Services (DSS) is to ensure equal access for students with disabilities to all curricular and co-curricular opportunities offered by the institution.
ACTION NEEDED? YES NO
B. The Faculty & Staff
Full & Part Time Faculty
List the names and credentials of your full and part time faculty:
Name / Highest Degree / Part-Time/Full-Time
§ Sherman, Anne / § Master’s / § FT
§ Duncan, Yolanda / § Master’s / § FT Faculty
§ Murphy, Karen / § Bachelor’s / § FT Faculty
§ Rose, Sarah / § Master’s / § FT Faculty
§ York, Seth / § Master’s / § FT Faculty
Staff
List the names and credentials of your staff:
Name / Credentials
§ Dilworth, Teri / § / § FT ESP
§ Crans, Nicole / § Bachelor’s / § FT ESP
§ Allington, Rebecca / § / § FT ESP
Evaluation (using criteria & tactics):
Licensure for Duncan, Rose, Sherman, and York is current.
ACTION NEEDED? YES NO
1. Accomplishments of Faculty & Staff
List/Describe the accomplishments of your faculty and Staff for the past year (awards, publications, curriculum development, etc):
Director: Anne Sherman/Dept Accomplishments 2011-12:
· Successful completion of Perkins Site Visit, Fall 2011
· Hiring of temp. full time counselor (to replace retiree)
· Became BCO for my team (have a LOT to learn)
· Joined AGC sub-team LET
· Joined AGC sub-team textbooks- team has not yet met
· Requested Becky A. be a member of the AGC ‘clicker’ sub team- accessible clickers have been chosen
· Organized and facilitated 2 off campus work sessions
· Arranged and facilitated weekly DSS/OSP staff meetings
· Presented ‘Stress Relief’ workshop both fall & winter
· Presented Acad. Success workshops
· Program Review- part of initial group to engage in this process - met with Patti T. to learn about process
· With team engagement we have identified 2 areas we would like to gather data about around effectiveness. We have begun the process of creating a system to measure outcomes for those areas we hope to improve.
· Attended the cross College luncheon hosted by Patti to share ideas and comments with others also participating in this process. Our entire team attended and we received some good feedback and ideas
· Submitted Dept. Plan for 2012-13 with planning/support/editing by team
· Attended 2 webinars hosted by Eric K. re: Bb accessibility
· Attended SEMS meeting at the invitation of Eric M.
· Attended the following meetings on a regular basis:
· CARS
· AGC
· LET
· SALT
· WET (second sem.)
· Gave short presentation to Family Sufficiency group
· Board member (at-large) of newly formed MPSSPC (Mi Post-Sec Sp Pops Council)
· TRENDS planning team for 2011 Conference/ workshop facilitator
· TRENDS planning team for 2012 Conference
· Provided input to various staff members as needed.
· Sought reclassification for R. Allington’s position- without success
· Supervised 3 ESP: Teri, Nicole, Becky
· Designed new ‘postcard’ for IDEA folder with input from Lynnae & Whitney
Yolanda Duncan:
Accomplishments:
· Search Committees: DSS Counselor
· CAP Teams: Programs of Study CAP Team
· Committee Chair: Occupational Support Program Advisory Board
· Criminal Justice Department Liaison
· Spring Arbor University and Concordia University Transfer counselor Liaison
· Academic Suspension Appeal Team
· Teach CLS 102
· Faculty Learning Day Presentations
· Student recognition/nomination as an instructor who uses Blackboard to enhance student learning
· Presenter-CARS Workshop Series “Non-Traditional Opportunities” and “Academic Success”
Sarah Rose:
· Elected to Michigan Association of Higher Education and Disability, 2 year school Representative, May 2012
· Presented to Kent County Transition Council regarding 2012 GRCC Documentation and Financial Aid Changes affecting Students with Disabilities
· Co-presented to The Association for Student Conduct Administration regarding Where Conduct and Mental Health Collide
· Served on GRCC's Advisory Board for Computer Applications and Business
· Provided leadership over the past 2 years as the DSS Office has redoubled its efforts to help the College understand the need for accessible technology including websites, online classes, in-class videos, and software.
Seth York:
· Created, as well as presented,a workshop for students which was dedicated to Self-Esteem and Confidence
· Conducted Academic Success Workshops
· Observation of counselors in DSS as well as Counseling and Career Center
· Member of a team dedicated to future GRCC website & video construction which will enable ease of use for future and current DSS students
· Maintained contact with various departments, faculty members and associations from which my caseload students may benefit
· Successfully utilized counseling skills to assist students who were in distress personally, as well as academically throughout the year
· Developed effective and efficient relationships with colleagues in Counseling, Financial Aid and throughout the greater Grand Rapids area
Karen Murphy:
· Submitted the completed CAS report for DSS/OSP
· Presented CAS report to SALT
· Participated in the RT Advisory Board Meeting
· Participated in the Child Development Advisory Board Meeting
· Hold a leadership role on the DSS team that is producing a DSS Video for Jan. 2013.
· Provided leadership in the on-going process of resolving issues of non-accessibility in the DSS/OSP websites- completion date: Dec. 2012.
· Serving on Culinary Arts Position Search Committee
· Provided information/explanation re: changes to Culinary Program effective Fall 2012
2. Faculty Professional Development
List/Describe the faculty and staff professional development activities for the past year:
Director/Anne Sherman:
· Joined MI-AHEAD – have attended most monthly meetings since joining
· Registered for and attended (with most team members) an AHEAD series of webinars
· Board member (at-large) of newly formed MPSSPC (Mi Post-Sec Sp Pops Council)
· TRENDS planning team for 2011 Conference/ workshop facilitator
· TRENDS planning team for 2012 Conference
· Attended MOSPA Conference, spring 2012
· Attended MI-AHEAD Conference, spring 2012
Yolanda Duncan:
Professional Affiliations: National Association for Academic Advising (NACADA)
Conferences/Workshops/Collaboration:
· Pucci: Basic of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Seminar
· GVSU Community College Counselors Luncheon
· Ferris Community College Counselors Luncheon
· Davenport Community College Counselors Luncheon
· Northwood Community College Counselors Luncheon
· Grand Rapids Community College Financial Aid: Staying Informed
· MI Ahead Annual Conference
· Diversity Audit Tools: Assessing Disability within Diversity in Higher Education
· Increasing Access By Decreasing Reliance on Documentation
Sarah Rose:
· AHEAD Webinar Series
· Blackboard Accessibility Training
· MI-AHEAD Spring Conference
· Kent County Transition Council Representative
· Attending monthly MI-AHEAD Meetings
· Grand Valley State University Community College Luncheon
· Ferris State University Community College Luncheon
· GRCC Financial Aid Training
Seth York:
· TRENDS Conference
· Fin Aid training
· Conflict Resolution
· Cultural Competency
· Report Students of concern
· Bb Basics
· Bloodborne Pathogens
· Right to Know
· NFI
· Appreciative Advising
· Latino Youth Conference
· Psych Dept: How we Communicate Without Saying Anything
· Increasing Access by Decreasing Documentation
· Accessible Video: Techniques, Tools, Strategies and Solutions
· Faculty Learning Day
· CLS Training
· The Engaging Leader
Karen Murphy:
· Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training
· Attended AHEAD Webinar Series
Evaluation (using criteria & tactics):
As new software is introduced for the College as a whole, or the Counseling Dept., we will need additional training – i.e. Degree Works. Because adaptive technology is in an ongoing state of change, 1 or 2 counselors and our Testing Coordinator need to access conferences, workshops, and benchmarking visits, to stay abreast of improved and new technology. It appears that the need for a College wide assessment in terms of the accessibility of technology (websites, Bb, email, student center, videos, software, etc.) has come to the attention of the upper administration, which has the ability to implement the changes required by ADAAA. Most of the inaccessibility in the aforementioned areas is not within the scope of the DSS Office to resolve. We are very pleased that these frequently expressed concerns will be addressed.
ACTION NEEDED? YES NO
3. Number of FT/PT Faculty Staff % contact hours taught
Any classes taught in by our department are overload.
Evaluation (using criteria & tactics):
ACTION NEEDED? YES NO
C. The Students
1. Program participants
Enter data summary
DIST – Students with disabilities in a transfer program
DISO – Students with disabilities in occupational programs
SPOP- Students in occupational programs – no disability
2008/2009 DIST: 339 DISO: 283 SPOP:404 TOTAL: 1026
2009/2010 DIST: 402 DISO: 252 SPOP: 450 TOTAL: 1104
2010/2011 DIST: 467 DISO: 232 SPOP: 444 TOTAL: 1143
2011/2012 DIST: 457DISO: 199 SPOP: 368 TOTAL: 1024
Evaluation (using criteria & tactics):
No concerns as this time. Numbers often fluctuate, but our DSS numbers are historically always higher than the OSP numbers. Our numbers are down about 10% while the College numbers are down about 5%. We believe that the additional drop in numbers may in part be reflected by lesser numbers of TAA students, who qualified in many cases as OSP eligible.
ACTION NEEDED? YES NO
2. Demographic Profile
Enter data summary
DSS/OSP % Compared to College %
202 Black 19.7% 5.4%
15 Amind 1.4% 0.5%
16 Asian 1.5% 1.4%
1 Centamer.
1 Cuban
60 Hisp. 8.1% 0.2%
16 Mexamer
5 Puertor
45 Nspec. 4.4% 0.7%
663 White 64.7% 4%
TOTAL: 1024 Students
Evaluation (using criteria & tactics):
The percentages above indicate that with the exception of Black student, our demographics closely mirror those of the college (based on Winter 2011 College stats). We interpret the fact that our percentage of black students is 5.4% higher than that of the College as a whole, as a positive indication that we are doing relatively well in reaching that segment of the College population.
ACTION NEEDED? YES NO
D. Department/Program/Service history
Document history (see criteria & tactics)
Our department has operated with 4 counselors, 1 advisor, and 3 ESP staff for the past 8 years. Our numbers of students served have generally between 950-1150, with a gradual increase over the last 8 years. We have met the standards required of our grant source, Carl. D. Perkins, as evidenced by our excellent site visit in the fall of 2011. Our site visit prior to fall 2011, which was in (approx.) 2006, was also successful. I believe our case management system has served our students well, allowing staff to establish a rapport, therefore gaining the students’ trust.
One change I have been a part of, though it was not written anywhere until this years program review, has been a shift to model of interaction with students that intentionally promotes independence and empowerment. As a staff we had discussed it, agreed it was important, but had not written it as a goal with accountability. I have been in this department for over 29 years. When I started in the DSS office in 1983 (we had 75 DSS students and were not yet working with non-disabled occupational students) our students were very dependent on us. We met their needs, but without seriously considering a method to foster independence. People with disabilities were just beginning to show up in post-secondary education at that time. Over the past 3-4 years, our staff has been very intentional in helping students learn to advocate, and manage as independently as possible. This is part of our “teaching” role as non-classroom faculty.
Another change was moving DSS testing to the Testing & Assessment Center, rather than housing it in the DSS office. This was another step in teaching students to be self-reliant. The paperwork they needed was made available electronically (and in hard copy for those who wish), instructors were notified electronically, and the entire system has been functioning much more efficiently. One of the difficulties under the old system (housed in DSS office) was students running to their counselor if they didn’t follow procedures for requesting testing accommodation. That seldom occurs now.
Also over the past 8 years, our DSS/OSP staff haw been much more integrated into the counseling office as a whole. While we have always formally been a part of that group, we often functioned rather separately, as did the SSS program. Over the past few years, our counselor/advisors and our ESP have become much more involved in the Counseling department as a unit, and I believe, helped the ‘general counseling staff’ to better understand what we do. We see walk in students when our department schedule permits, present Counseling Dept. workshops, participate fully in all-counseling staff meetings, and as Director, I facilitate those meetings and contribute (as can anyone) to the agenda, and we participate in freshmen orientation. That was not the case prior to the last 7-8 years.
Our department plan has been viewed differently, I think, by all of us. I think now we see it as an opportunity to bring a concern that we want to work on, or a new process/procedure to the attention of those higher up in the administrative chain. I have had no trouble getting staff to participate in our department plan, or this new program review since I took over as Program Director in 2010. I don’t say that because I feel I have great leadership qualities, but because I feel we work very well as a team, we are supportive of one another, and because of the trust we feel, able to disagree at meetings and know we’ll be heard. We value each other’s strengths.