Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 5 of The Illinois Commitment
AA and AS Degree Champion Committees
Southwestern Illinois College
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice? Since approximately half of Southwestern Illinois College
degree graduates are in the AA/AS degree transfer programs, there was a definite need to answer the question, “What
happens to our transfer students after they graduate?” We had very little information to determine their success rates. The
AA and AS Degree champions are comparative to the coordinators in the occupational areas in that the College wants to be
sure these students are well- prepared to be successful as they either transfer or enter the workforce. Also, many disciplines
had difficulty writing educational goals for their discipline considering most students taking a math class for example were
not going to be a math major. These committees will help the various disciplines better understand their role in
contributing to the AA or AS Degree Programs.
Description of the effective practice: The committees developed mission statements and educational goals and are
currently reviewing the data for AA and AS degree student performance in the General Education Core Competencies
college-wide assessments. Committee structure is representative of the disciplines that contribute to the degree.
AA Degree Champion Committee Chairperson
1. Anthropology/Archeology/Soc.
2. English/Literature/Journalism
3. Foreign Language
4. History & Political Science
5. Philosophy
AS Degree Champion Committee Chairperson
1. Business
2. Life Science
3. Mathematics
6. Psychology
7. Speech/Communications Theater
8. Music/Art
9. Counselor
10. Dean Representative
4. Physical Science
5. Social Sciences
6. Counselor
7. Dean Representative
Chairperson
1. Business
2. Life Science
3. Mathematics
4. Physical Science
5. Social Sciences
6. Counselor
7. Dean Representative
How does this practice achieve sustainability? Development of these committees was a direct result of the Outcomes
Assessment project with support from the Vice President of Instruction and committee members are elected to two and
three year terms from the division.
What are the results/measurable outcomes? The first meeting of the AA and AS Degree Champions was in May of
2005. Investigations are underway to collect data about the success of Southwestern’s students from transfer institutions.
The committees are currently developing surveys for graduating students with plans for follow up surveys as well as
assessment tools. Data collected from Spring 06 assessments (mathematical literacy, critical thinking, writing and
computer literacy assessments) is currently being reviewed. This is our first attempt to determine how well our AA & AS
Degree students measure-up in our core competencies.
Contact Information
Name: Joyce Ray
Email: Joyce.Ray@SWIC.edu
Phone: (618) 235-2700
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