2009 Accountability Report - Aiken Technical College

19
assessment process that identifies needed change; selects a direction for the College; communicates that
direction to its personnel; provides the mechanism to develop appropriate courses of action; allocates needed
resources to ensure success; and evaluates results. The results of these evaluations are used to continuously
improve the College’s educational programs, services and operations.
ATC employs a multi-faceted approach to planning, budgeting, and evaluation processes through a
comprehensive Institutional Effectiveness model. This approach includes four major components: the
development of the College’s vision, mission and institutional values; the development and implementation of
strategic and operational (annual) plans; outcomes-oriented research, assessment and evaluation; and a process
for continuous improvement at all levels within the institution. ATC views Institutional Effectiveness as a
catalyst for facilitating positive change and continuous improvement in the College’s programs, services, and
operations. This requires planning and evaluation processes at all levels of the administrative and academic
enterprise that identifies needed change, selects direction for the College, communicates that direction to its
personnel, provides a mechanism to develop appropriate courses of action, allocates resources to ensure
success, evaluates results, and uses those results to seek continuous improvement.
The College utilizes a participative structure that includes the governing board, executive leadership, faculty,
staff, students, educational partners, state system central office, business and industry leaders, and community
leaders to ensure a representative, forward-looking, and fact-based quality of input. External stakeholders