NCC Meets State Performance Measures
Over Curriculum 3,100 students fill the classrooms, halls and parking lots at Nash Community College this fall as administrators, faculty and staff continue to ramp up their FOCUS on student success.
FOCUS, which stands for Fostering Opportunity Cultivating Unparalleled Success, is part of the College’s quality enhancement plan aims to improve student success, retention and the first year experience as a whole.
Prior to the fall semester, NCC faculty participated in professional development centered on learning styles and learned strategies to enhance the opportunities and outcomes of NCC students. Additionally, NCC will be implementing AVID for Higher Education, to provide faculty with more opportunities to sharpen their teaching practices and improve student learning outcomes.
New this semester, NCC implemented an English Studio, similar to the College’s Math Tank which opened last year. Both the English Studio and Math Tank feature new state-of-the-art instructional technologies, wireless control systems and high definition video distribution system in a modern, open and inviting environment. The goal of both learning labs is to enhance student learning in Developmental Math, English and Reading by allowing the instructors to provide more individualized attention to learning styles and progress. Students may use the equipment for individual tutorial assistance, computer access, instructional resources and monitored testing and assignments. Special lab features facilitate assessment and feedback of student work, which allows instructors to provide immediate feedback and guidance to the students, which allows the students to meet course learning outcomes more effectively.
During the first week of fall classes, faculty and staff were positioned throughout campus to help students find their way. “Whether our students are 19 years old and transitioning in from high school or they are 32 years old and have been misplaced from a job, this may be their first college experience,” NCC Vice President for Instruction and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Trent Mohrbutter said. “With the FOCUS initiative, part of what we are creating is a sort of a calming. We are excited to have them on campus and want them to know that.”
Recent North Carolina Community College System performance measures indicate the College’s FOCUS initiative is already paying off. The North Carolina Community College System Office’s Critical Success Factors report released this summer lists NCC as one of only 27 of the 58 North Carolina community colleges to meet or exceed the System standard on all seven performance measures according to the System’s recent Critical Success Factors report. The 2012 report measures data based on the previous academic year, 2010-11. The full report is available at http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/Publications/docs/Publications/csf2012.pdf.
For the 2010-11 academic year, Nash Community College’s performance was measured as follows:
• License/Certification Pass Rates: State benchmark: 80%; NCC: 82%.
• Performance of College Transfer Students: State benchmark: 83% with a 2.0+ GPA; NCC: 86% with a 2.0+ GPA.
• Passing Rates in Developmental Courses: State benchmark: 75%; NCC: 97%.
• Success Rate of Developmental Students in Subsequent College Level Courses: State benchmark: 80%; NCC: 85%.
• Student Satisfaction of Completers and Non-Completers: State benchmark: 90%; NCC: 99%.
• Curriculum Student Retention, Graduation & Transfer: State benchmark: 65%; NCC: 66%.
• Client Satisfaction with Customized Training: State benchmark: 90%; NCC: 95%.
“We understand that coming to college is a big deal and plays a vital role in a student’s future success,” Mohrbutter said. “We want our students to know that Nash Community College is all about their road to success.”
For more information on Nash Community College or the FOCUS initiative, call 252-451-8235.
