This is the first of 9 weekly emails designed to share interesting and important ideas from the 2005 PVCC Self-Study Report. Each week will feature a different employee perspective and original art from our own David Bradley.

 
Today’s Topic: Previous Concerns

 

Background

 

In 1995, after the last accreditation visit, the visiting team of Consultant/Evaluators left PVCC with a report detailing their observations, including their opinions on the College’s strengths, areas of concern, and opportunities for improvement. As a required piece of every Self-Study Report, the Higher Learning Commission requires that every institution formally respond with the actions they’ve taken to address each of the areas of concern.

 

Reflections by: Scott Massey (Scott's original response was as a presentation with animations in MS Powerpoint. His presentation has been compressed to allow access via the web. Some formatting crowding occurred. See his self-playing presentation.)

 

What three things did Scott learn or find interesting?

 

1. I was pleased to read the 14 “strengths”, especially the one that notes the tremendous concern for students we all share: “The College faculty, staff, and administration are committed to the institution and function as a team to address challenges while creating a positive learning environment for students. There is a genuine and college-wide sense of pride in place, concern for students, and caring about each other.”

 

2. Some of the 9 areas of concern have been successfully addressed by the college. For example, the Technology Coordinating Team’s efforts have certainly tackled the concern that “The College lacks a structured plan for the replacement and upgrading of existing equipment and software.”

 

3. Some of the areas still remain a challenge for us. For example, students continue to express concern about conveniently scheduled course times despite the variety and number of alternative/nontraditional delivery formats PVCC now offers.

 

What are three important Ideas for a first-time visitor to PVCC?

 

1. Institutional effectiveness at PVCC includes three separate and distinct components: the Assessment Initiative, Strategic Planning Performance Measures, and Program review.

 

2. To best meet the needs of a changing student population, faculty and staff at PVCC must continue to become more diverse, not only in ethnic composition, but in their understanding and appreciation of gender, culture, religion, appearance, socio-economic status, and abilities.

 

3. Through the college staffing and budgeting processes, PVCC analyzes the college’s most pressing needs and sets its hiring priorities accordingly.

 

 

Drafts of the Self-Study Report, including the complete text of Chapter Two, can be found at http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/~selfstudy/report/index.htm

 

Please direct questions or concerns to the Self-Study Coordinator Rick Vaughn, or use the anonymous feedback form on the left side of the Self-Study website http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/~selfstudy/ . A drop box for comments is also available on the second floor of KSC building.