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

Selected Results from Student and Community Satisfaction Surveys
Golden & Associates Survey Report
In 2005, Sandra Golden & Associates, a community-college research firm, was contracted by the
College to determine the needs of its area residents. A partial result of that investigation was that
the researchers aligned present or potentially developing College services with what the district
populace indicated to be a priority. In particular, the Golden & Associates report points out three
traits and projected developments which community members most value.
1. The College offers a broad range of transfer courses, career programs and customized
training, with some programs unique to the area such as Aviation Maintenance and the
planned Powerline program. (Powerline courses at Alliance began in May 2006).
2. Flexible scheduling currently includes offerings in the evening, weekend, and on-line. (All
of these options have been increased in scope, as discussed in the earlier Responses to
the Challenges of the 2000 Team Report, pg. 24, and again in Criterion 3 , pg. 115.)
3. The Center for Business and Individual Training will be opening a new facility with state of
the art technology, including a number of important curriculum areas. (The facility was
dedicated in September 2005 as the John N. Harms Advanced Technology Center of
Nebraska.) (RR 132)
Cheyenne County Vision 2020
The College uses information from other external surveys to help guide WNCC programming and
services, as well as to gauge public perception of its services. When local officials commissioned
the Cheyenne County Vision 2020 Strategic Planning survey, over 500 respondents provided
perspectives on a variety of topics, some which included comments relative to WNCC. Under
Theme 5 relating to Education, the report includes a finding that “A number of the respondents
identified higher education and schools as important” (RR 133). A young mother provided an
anecdotal comment that she was only able to gain an education and build a better life for her and
her daughter because of WNCC being available in the area. Another citizen responding to a query
about infrastructure is reported to believe that “WNCC needs housing to attract students” (RR 134).
The Endowment Association at Sidney has purchased eight apartments reserved for lease by
WNCC students.
CCSSE
Students are expected to work hard during their educational experience, but WNCC also
recognizes that students also need a comfortable and secure environment in which to thrive. In
addition, there are a number of related services which the College can bring to bear in order to
facilitate and support educational success. Student Services staff members use applicable
portions of the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) to determine how
enrolled college students perceive certain parts of their college experience. In 2007, over 400
students who took the CCSSE survey responded to questions about the services provided in areas
like advising, tutoring, financial aid, computer lab availability, credit transfer assistance, and
disability services.
Western Nebraska Community College Page 171