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

clinical experiences and internships for students. A Memorandum of Understanding is crafted
between the College and the entity, and the assessment of student performance or skill attainment
by the person who provides oversight for the student is a necessary component of an internship.
Many of WNCC’s programs have Advisory Committees that provide information, opportunities,
suggestions, guidance, insights, or resources to WNCC faculty, administration, and students. The
input from people actually working in the field about a program’s curriculum can prove invaluable.
CCSSE Data Related to Living in a Diverse World
An important question on the Community College Survey of Student Engagement administered in
the spring of 2007 relates to whether WNCC encourages contact among students from different
economic, social, and racial or ethnic backgrounds. The baseline data revealed that among fulltime
and part-time students, WNCC was rated slightly higher than the CCSSE cohort of other small
colleges against whom it was compared. In fact, among full-time students who have taken 30 or
more credits with WNCC, students ranked WNCC significantly above the mean in this category.
The data affirm to WNCC faculty members that this facilitated interaction provides opportunities
that prove useful to students who will live and work in a global, diverse society (RR 105).
The Division of Social Science Student Learning Survey
In an effort to understand better the learning achievement or positive change in knowledge or
behaviors associated with the general-education goals of ethics and cultural and civic awareness,
the Division of Social Science has created a survey to be given to students.
Although the survey is an indirect indicator because it relies upon self-reported responses,
additional credibility can be attributed to the results because the respondents are also directed to
list at least five specific instances or examples to demonstrate genuine awareness. A specific goal
of the survey is to determine whether or not students can understand the application of principles.
Additionally, analysis is aimed toward determining the effectiveness of students being required to
take two courses from within the area of social sciences, as is required for an AA degree. In the
spring of 2008, the survey was administered to 140 students enrolled in one of the several socialscience
courses offered. Below are selected findings from that survey (RR 106).
1. Students who had attended three or four semesters of college were more likely than
students enrolled in their first or second semester to agree or strongly agree with the
following statements:
a. “I know the major principles included in the code of ethics of at least one
professional organization.”
b. “My classes at WNCC have made me more aware of diversity.”
c. “My classes at WNCC have made me more aware of ethics.”
2. Students who had completed 2 or more Social Science courses at WNCC or elsewhere
were more likely than students enrolled in their first course at WNCC to agree or strongly
agree with the following statements:
a. “WNCC classes promote awareness of current events and participation in
discussion of topics important to citizens of the world.”
b. “Faculty at WNCC value and demonstrate respect for diversity.”
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Western Nebraska Community College