Student Services Program Review
Program review is a collaborative process designed to provide an in-depth, comprehensive study of Student Services departments and programs at North Idaho College. This process involves administrators, staff, students, faculty and external consultants in:
1. Gathering information about a department/program
2. Reviewing and analyzing that information
3. Making judgments about overall department/program quality
4. Making commendations and recommendations regarding department/program
5. Monitoring department/program accountability for improvement
6. Supporting the department/program in implementing recommendations.
Purpose
Program review serves the primary purpose of providing an opportunity for focused reflections, studying and gathering of information which supports on-going department development and improvement. It also provides a consistent means of evaluating departments/programs and how well they are achieving goals of effectiveness and fulfilling College mission and core themes. Such mission-aligned review also serves external purposes of satisfying accreditation requirements.
The entire review process including adopting learning outcomes and goal setting should be guided by the following:
North Idaho College’s mission statement:
North Idaho College is committed to student success, teaching excellence, and lifelong learning. As a comprehensive community college, North Idaho College provides quality educational opportunities that expand human potential and enhance the quality of life for the students and the communities it serves.
Student Service’s mission statement:
In progress
North Idaho College’s core themes:
Core Theme 1: Student Success--To provide access to an education environment that helps students attain their education goals.
Core Theme 2: Instructional Excellence--Enhance quality educational opportunities that promote student success, teaching excellence and lifelong learning.
Core Theme 3: Community Engagement--Enhance the quality of life for our students and communities.
CAS Standards:
Three Year Review Cycle
Three-Step Program Review Process:
Self-Study – the department prepares a self-study using:
• At least two Learning Outcomes based on CAS standards; and/or
• Standards and/or review process from a professional organization; or
• Standards created specifically for your department
Review Team Visit- the department will establish a program review team comprised of one Student Services Director (team lead), one outside expert, one staff, one student, and one faculty as appropriate.
VPSS Review – the department along with the VPSS develops an action plan based upon the self-study and review team information.
Review Documentation
• Each program/service offered by the department should be addressed within the self-study.
• The completed self-study document will be forwarded to the Vice President for Student Services at least one month prior to the initiation of the review process. The Vice President for Student Services will review the document with the department director to assure its readiness for review.
Documentation for Review
The department prepares a self-study that includes the following minimal topics:
Departmental History and Purpose
• History
• Mission statement
• Relation to College Mission and Core Values
• Annual Goals and Learning Outcomes
Organization
• Staff and responsibilities
• Training
• Decision-making processes, departmental teams
Evaluation and Assessment
• Quantitative Results (Student Opinion Survey); and/or
• Qualitative Results (focus groups, interviews, and evaluations)
• Budget
• Facilities
Future Plans and Recommendations
Review
Three months prior to the anticipated review, the department director will visit with the Vice President for Student Affairs to recommend and discuss a list of potential review team members.
The review team will be expected to examine critically the department's self-study report; to gather any additional evaluative information; and to prepare a brief written report assessing the department for strengths, limitations, and recommendations for improvements. The review team will submit to the Vice President for Student Services a written report at within 2 weeks of the Review Team visit.
Post Review
The department director will meet with the Vice President for Student Services to examine the findings of the program review and discuss the recommendations. When the recommendations have been approved by the Vice President for Student Services, the department, with appropriate supervisors, will together plan implementation strategies and develop an action plan. In the department's annual setting of goals the department will demonstrate progress in any areas specified for improvement.