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

associated with the free and open exchange of ideas, tailoring instructional activities or exercises
to deliver guidance in academic fields” (RR 98). Thus, pedagogical choices are determined by
individual instructors, who are granted relatively freedom in delivering instruction while monitoring
learning results to be sure that the methodology succeeds.
Faculty Scholarship and Student Involvement in Scholarly Work
Although WNCC is a two-year institution focused on teaching, faculty and administration members
participate in and are recognized for scholarly pursuits. In four cases, the projects have been
collaborations on books, and in another case a faculty member authored a set of essays and book
reviews which were published in magazines. Other examples include musical and theatrical
performances. A list of scholarly activities performed by administrative and faculty members can
be found in Appendix C appended to this document.
Students have opportunities to participate in service learning, practicum, and internship learning
opportunities, and they are also allowed to assist in program administration such as students being
given employment through grants like the STEM and STEP projects designed to recruit students
into the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering.
Two instructors have obtained small grants from NASA-Nebraska, an NSF grant-funded program
administered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In one case, students are going to build
CEENbots, robots originally designed by engineering graduate students at the University of
Nebraska-Omaha. The plan is to have the students assemble the robots and then write about the
process, later using the robots for research and demonstrations in programming and data
collection. Another student is funded by a fellowship to assist with post-capture image
manipulation and enhancement in astrophotography, along with support provided to allow for his
assistance with astronomy labs and tutoring classmates. A second application is being submitted
to continue this project, and two other students have expressed interest in participating.
Degree Programs
WNCC supports lifelong learning through the development of programs that address the needs of
learners of all ages. The College’s programs and offerings are supported by the Board, staff,
administrators, and faculty, and they enable students to achieve their personal goals. The WCCA
Board demonstrates its commitment to lifelong learning is through its approval of the approximately
80 academic emphasis areas for the various degrees, certificates, diplomas, and skills awards,
which are designed to meet the needs of a diverse group of learners.
For instance, the relatively new option of the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree
promotes students as lifelong learners through the flexibility of a series of skills awards in addition
to general education requirements and core classes. New skills awards can be developed as
technology advances or as changes occur within a particular industry. WNCC currently offers
fourteen AOS options for traditional, non-traditional, and Corporate Academy students.
The flexibility of the degree makes it helpful to second-career or non-traditional students who may
be seeking applied education classes in order to enter or re-enter the workforce, but it serves
traditional students in areas like Powerline and Aviation Maintenance so that students can
concentrate in a vocational field and gain maximum applied knowledge and experience.
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Western Nebraska Community College