WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

In addition to the CAAP test, the College has begun to use the Community College Survey of
Student Engagement (CCSSE) instrument, first administering it in during the spring term of 2007,
and then using it again during the spring of 2009. CCSSE survey results from the 2007
administration were reviewed with faculty and staff during in-service sessions and small group
meetings. During reviews of the CCSSE report, there were discussions about changes that should
be considered in accordance with the survey results. For instance, the Division of Language and
Arts subsequently increased opportunities for student presentations, and mathematics instructors
have incorporated strategies to increase teamwork and interaction within math courses.
Results from the 2009 survey will be distributed and analyzed by faculty members and
administrators. As in the past, members of the Student Learning and Assessment Committee will
host discussion sessions, Division Chairs will present information to instructors, and the
Educational Services leaders will hold open sessions to go over the results (RR 56).
An additional benefit will accrue from the 2009 survey since administrators and instructors can now
begin comparisons to look for changes in the student learning experience across the intervening
time between samplings. The primary goal will remain trying to understand where and how
learning occurs, the effectiveness of instruction, student perception compared to faculty perception
of learning and curriculum delivery strategies, and the monitoring of learning results across time.
The essential result will be the formation of improvement plans where indicated and the
reinforcement of sound pedagogical practice and transference of those ideas into other
instructional areas. The results of the CCSSE survey are discussed more fully in Criterion 3.
As another indicator of educational effectiveness, the Career Assistance and Internship Center
prepares an annual Graduate Placement Report. Statistics from the 2007-2008 Annual Graduate
Placement Report presented as an example below cover students graduating at the fall, winter,
and spring graduation dates.
Table 6-31 Graduate Tracking Report 2007
Status %
Graduates Working 48.1
Continuing Education 44.7
Unavailable for Employment 2.1
Looking for Work 3
Not located 2.1
(RR 57)
The graduates continuing their educations at a transfer institution, as seen in Table 6-31, make up
nearly one-half of the total number, while the bulk of the rest are finding employment. Just over 2%
are still looking for work, a good net result for the College’s efforts.
Institutional Research
WNCC collects and analyzes evidence about institutional and programmatic effectiveness in a
variety of ways. Institutional research is not a centralized function but is a shared responsibility
between the Institutional Researcher and the Registrar. Both employees are charged with
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