CSC completes Higher Learning Commission Academy with high marks
Chadron State College is among the first of eight institutions to successfully achieve completion of the Higher Learning Commission’s Academy for the Assessment of Student Learning.
During the past four years about 50 current CSC faculty members contributed their time to make this achievement possible, said Dr. Charles Snare, a CSC dean who facilitated the assessment of student learning within CSC’s General Studies Program. About 30 staff also provided essential support that was important to the project success, he said.
During the process, which began November 2006 and culminated this November, CSC earned accolades from peer institutions for its high involvement of faculty. Snare said 79 percent of CSC’s current faculty took a leadership role at some point during the process, and that about 20 percent of the general studies faculty volunteered to work on the project’s final report and presentation.
A team of five presented the four-year project in Chicago in November. The faculty members who presented the evidence and accomplishments with Snare were Dr. Joel Hyer, chairman of communications and social sciences, Dr. Kathleen Kirsch, communications, Dr. Wendy Jamison, science, and Dr. Mary Jo Carnot, psychology.
Snare said another one of the reasons CSC earned such positive reviews was CSC faculty were critically reflective – willing to identify areas of improvement.
“Many institutions like to push any problem areas under the rug, but CSC demonstrated in this project that we seek to give students the best experience possible,” he said.
CSC also was given kudos for involving faculty and staff from a wide range of disciplines and units in the study, and for demonstrating innovative practices. High marks were given for the college’s use of its online learning platform during the assessment, and for having work sessions instead of traditional meetings.
Snare said the faculty’s commitment at CSC is unrivaled from other institutions, and that support from staff and graduate assistants also was vital to the effort’s success.
“I have been at three institutions in my career. In my view one would be hard pressed to find a set of faculty more committed to student learning than the faculty at CSC,” Snare said. “This effort exhibits such commitment. We’ve got something very precious that people at other institutions would die for. I consider it a privilege to work with so many professionals committed to student learning and critical self reflection of their own efforts.”
Dr. Janie Park, CSC president, said CSC’s completion of the project is a significant achievement and echoed Snare’s sentiments about faculty involvement.
“The level of faculty involvement in this effort is impressive,” she said. “We know that we have great people at CSC, but it’s always gives us pride to see recognition for it come from other organizations.”
CSC’s involvement with the HLC Academy began when Dr. Lois Veath, CSC vice president for academic affairs, submitted an application, which was granted in 2007. Snare said 156 higher education institutions are in the process of entering the HLC Academy, or have gained acceptance to it.
He said the college will be better positioned in future accreditation processes for its involvement in the academy.
Category: Campus News