RVCC 2019 NECHE Self-Study

Figure 8.5 – RVCC Program Completers (totals)
Defining Student Success
River Valley has historically defined success in traditional ways such as looking at degree
completion, board pass rates, and employment in desired field. However, recent
discussions at the Department Chair and Program Director level have identified that with
the population of students at RVCC, these definitions are too narrow. More and more,
students are coming to RVCC not with a goal of degree or certificate completion but with a
goal of transfer or a goal to improve work skills in their current field. Initial discussions
began related to development of a standard advising model whereby all incoming students
would self-identify their goals and then advisors could track goal completion for students
who do not fall into the traditional model of “completion.” This dove-tailed with the
discussions of the upcoming implementation of Degree Works for advising as it would
make sense to implement all changes at the same time.
Student success measures are incorporated into all accredited program yearly reports and
self-studies and are reported on program webpages as required by most national
accrediting agencies. Student success measures have also been incorporated into Section
VIII of the newly redesigned in-college program review process outlined in Standard Four.
These measures help to provide data for Program Directors and Department Chairs to
assist with suggestions for program improvements.
Appraisal of Data Collection, Assessment & Effectiveness
Data collection is the responsibility of individual Program Directors or Division Directors.
Accredited programs do an excellent job of gathering and assessing data related to student
outcomes, but this is not yet done consistently across the College.
RVCC students are provided with clear information regarding learning outcomes through
college and course documentation. The College strives to measure the effectiveness of
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