President Beckley sets framework for QEP topic



Dr. David L. Beckley, President


       Holly Springs, MS—Consensus is gaining quickly for a proposal to establish learning communities as an effective means of strengthening the academic performance of first-year students. The proposed topic of the Rust College Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) was one of 10 potential topic areas that emerged last spring from focus groups asked to make recommendations for the Plan. The QEP is a key component of the college’s preparation for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 2014. Submitted prior to the actual visit by SACS, the QEP must be a comprehensive, campus-wide strategy that addresses a systemic area of need within the academic community, with clearly defined outcomes and expectations for Rust College students. The QEP must be approved by SACS, implemented over a five-year period and periodically assessed to determine the extent to which its goals are being met.
          Over a two-week period in the spring of 2012, groups consisting of faculty, staff and students were charged by President David L. Beckley to take a close look at institutional data on a range of both curricular and extracurricular areas. After addressing college data, the groups then submitted abstracts of proposed plausible designs for the QEP that would yield long-term benefits for the students. In addition to proposing learning communities that would strengthen the academic performance of first year students, other topics included enhanced use of technology, emphasis on critical thinking and reading, increasing cultural sensitivity, and bolstering basic skills in Science and Math. “Creating Learning Communities that Strengthen the Academic Performance of First-Year Students” emerged as the leading topic from among the focus groups and was given affirmative consideration by President Beckley and the President’s Cabinet.
       At the annual Managers’ Institute at Lake Tiak O’Khata, in Louisville, MS, May 17-18, 2012, President Beckley introduced Dr. Kenneth E. Jones, a member of the Humanities Division faculty, as the leader of the QEP. Dr. Jones administered to faculty and staff who attended the institute a survey designed to assess managers’ attitudes about the proposed QEP topic, “Creating Learning Communities that Strengthen the Academic Performance of First-Year Students.” The results of the survey show that 85% of the respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that “Rust College…should be able to create learning communities around a range of subject matters, programs or disciplines." Eighty-eight percent agreed or strongly agreed that “first year students who study together…, having shared goals and shared academic experiences, can demonstrate improved basic learning skills.” And similar agreement was found on items that addressed levels of motivation to support learning communities, personal input in helping learning communities lead to academic success, and the extent that the entire college community might be seen as contributing to effective learning communities.
      As Rust College begins the 2012-13 academic year, all faculty members, staff, students, and the college-wide community will have opportunities to reflect on the topic as Rust College completes the final stages of deciding what the QEP focus will be. You can follow our progress here at therustcollegeqep.blogspot.com .