Core Committee considers parameters for proposed QEP

The Core Committee of the Rust College QEP met on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at the COPE Center in the McCoy Administration Building on campus. The Committee discussed the current topic under consideration for the QEP, “Learning Communities that Strengthen the Academic Performance of First Year Students.” With QEP Director Dr. Kenneth E. Jones chairing, the committee was diligent in its discussion of the meaning of learning communities, different types of learning communities employed at other institutions, and which types of learning communities might best be proposed that would increase academic performance in the first year experience. The Committee also considered samples of how QEP documents are to be structured as recommended by the QEP Handbook posted on the SACSCOC website. Members of the Committee were given assignments to be reported at the next QEP meeting, mainly ideas for desired student learning outcomes, actions to be implemented, and timelines for implementation. The Committee also discussed promotional themes for the proposed QEP topic and future roles for students and the larger Rust College community for involvement in the QEP.

Members of the QEP Core Committee

Dr. Kenneth E. Jones, director/chair

Dr. Sharon Sarthou

Mrs. Martha Stovall

Dr. Rhonda Kuykindoll

Dr. Marco Robinson

Mrs. Shelley Jackson

Mrs. Chiquita Walls

Dr. Mahmudul Sheikh

Mr. A.J. Thurmon (student representative)

Results of the Faculty/Staff Attitudinal QEP Survey

It has already been reported that those in attendance at the Managers’ Institute at Lake Tiak O’Khata, in Louisville, MS, last May strongly supported the proposed QEP topic which focuses on learning communities for strengthening the academic performance of first year students. Now faculty and staff have shared their views on the QEP topic at the Pre-Planning Conference held on campus, August 9-10, 2012. One hundred and two (102) college professionals (staff and faculty) were asked to respond to a survey designed to assess their attitudes on the meaning of learning communities, the feasibility of implementing learning communities within a college-wide setting, and their level of commitment to the idea of making learning communities part of the college’s formula for academic success. Generally, the findings were as follows.

1. A learning community groups students as cohorts or partners and provides them structured, uniform curricular and co-curricular experiences with the goal of achieving positive learning outcomes.

            85% agreed or strongly agreed

2. At Rust College, we should be able to create learning communities around a range of subject matter, programs or disciplines.

            90% agreed or strongly agreed

3. First-year students who study together and have shared goals and academic experiences can demonstrate improved basic learning skills.

            91% agreed or strongly agreed

4. Student mentors, faculty advisors, instructors, administrators and staff can be important contributors to an effective first-year learning community.

            93 % agreed or strongly agreed

5. I’m not sure I am motivated enough to help first-year learning communities at Rust College be successful.

            71% strongly disagreed or disagreed

6. The only reason I would support first-year learning communities for improved academic performance of freshmen is because of SACS reaffirmation of accreditation.

            74% strongly disagree or disagreed

7. For me, better academic performance by first-year students should mean they should transfer to their major programs more easily.     

            80% agreed or strongly agreed.

8. As an employee at Rust College, my personal input into the success of learning communities that strengthen academic performance is key.

            85% agreed or strongly agreed

9. General Education courses and all programs for first-year students can be restructured to ensure the success of first-year learning communities at Rust College.

            79% agreed or strongly agreed.