Check this page often to find out what's going on with the QEP and how it relates to you.

Narrowing the QEP Focus One of the recommendations from the SACS on-site team was to narrow the QEP focus.  Originally, communication skill development was one of the project goals.  The College stayed on course with communication, but we will now focus more specifically on written communication.   The decision to move forward with written communication involved discussing how writing is incorporated into every curriculum program.  For example, graduates from most any program will develop a cover letter and resume when looking for employment.  Depending on the career field, our employed graduates will write summaries and reports (for example, lab reports and progress reports), compose emails, develop manuals and procedures, complete order forms, and create all types of job-specific writing.  Written communications will vary based on the purpose, audience, and required format. Transfer students will likely write more traditional papers and essays while at CCCC.  Graduates who apply at senior institutions may be required to respond in writing to a prompt.  Institutions use these responses to learn more about the student and his/her goals and interests while assessing the student's writing skills.    One of CCCC’s great strengths is its ongoing connection with employers and advisory groups.  At the program and course levels this connection translates into instruction and assessments that prepare graduates for their chosen futures.  We believe that faculty are already incorporating writing into instruction based on career needs and transfer requirements.  Over the next few years, the QEP  will heighten the importance of writing in the classroom. Barbara Rusher & Celia Hurley, QEP Co-Directors QEP: What’s Happening? As the SACS On-Site Committee promised, the final written report arrived Thursday, November 29th, just two weeks after the group departed.  We were pleased that the committee identified only two recommendations to improve the BASICS plan.   We have combed through the report’s nine pages several times over the past few days making sure that we understand every detail.  Now we move on to re-work the document for submission in Spring 2008.  That means: We are organizing meetings with several QEP leaders to discuss ways to modify the plan. We are more carefully researching communication skills and development of those skills in the college classroom. We are investigating ways to assess our students’ communication skills so that their abilities can be compared with students at other institutions. (benchmarking) We have already begun editing some portions of the document.  We are tightening and trimming to increase the focus of the plan. There’s more work ahead to make sure that the plan is in top-notch shape.  We’ll share more updates later. Barbara Rusher and Celia Hurley, QEP Co-Directors BASICS Training October 17, 2007 was a terrific day of training.  According to evaluations, session facilitators engaged participants and did an excellent job of creating a productive learning environment.  To those of you who participated, thank you!  Course rosters indicate 256 registrations!  Here are some of the reasons you enjoyed the sessions: Everything was excellent; great preparation.  Presenter was warm and friendly. Very informative.  Very active. The handouts will be great resources for future use. Having different presenters/playing Jeopardy--fun. Gave practical, concrete examples of how to communicate effectively. I like how they made the presentation fun and entertaining. The incorporation of learning styles help to get the points across. Working in teams and applying to lesson plans. Love the quiz team handouts. PowerPoint presentation.  Activities--wonderful.  Handouts--Great! There were many faculty and staff working behind the scenes to ensure everything went smoothly.  THANK YOU... Mavis Carter, Michelle Powell, Dawn Harris, Barbara Rusher, Bianka Stumpf, Carl Bryan, Mike Neal, Crystal Smith, John Slade, Karen Thomas, Brenda Langdon, Rosita Davis, Judy Farmer, Ukie Hallman, Mary Holder, Gloria Oldham, Crete Smith, Hazel Tyson, Betty Carter, Bill Tyson, Karen Allen, and Barbara Wood. A special thanks to those who prepared materials and facilitated the sessions on three campuses: Active Learning: Tracy Cheatham (lead), Jennifer Ivey, Jamie Roughton, & Janet Zurbach Advising & Counseling: Vince Castano (lead), Kay Harris, Trinnette Banks, Jamee Stiffler, & Teresa Mangum Assessment Session & Student Learning Luncheon: Pat Akers Communication Skills: Cathy Swindell (co-lead), Ellen Bland (co-lead), Lara Howard, Chanda Allen, & Holly Schofield Learning Styles: Diane Kannarr (lead), Jamie Tyson, & Butch Hasty QEP: Celia Hurley More sessions will be available during Spring 2008.  Watch for information in the coming months. Changes in BASICS As with the development of any plan, changes are to be expected.  Initially, the plan called for a pilot group of programs (Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Resources Management, and Paralegal) that would begin integration of communication skills in Fall 2008.  After the recent CCCC review, the plan was altered to include all curriculum programs in implementation beginning Fall 2009.  The plan has been scaled back to include only one skill during the five-year project: communication.  Other skills will not be a formal part of the QEP.  However,  a long-term college vision includes the integration of multiple skills, including problem solving, teamwork, conflict resolution, and information literacy.   Advisory Member Survey Over 140 advisory committee members shared their views on the five life skills during this summer's Advisory Committee Banquet.  For the June 12th event, the co-directors developed and distributed a life skills survey to discover how important members thought each of the five life skills was for a student’s academic, professional, and personal success.  The survey results showed solid support for all five skills with the strongest endorsement for the skill slated for initial development: communication.  Respondents were identified by program areas to aid future skill selection decisions.  A survey of advisory board members will be a regular part of QEP to ensure advisory members have an ongoing voice in BASICS. Scavenger Hunt Winners Get to the BASICS The winners of the QEP Scavenger Hunt used some excellent research skills, and a talent for the “hunt” to get to the bottom of the BASICS plan. Mary Coleman, Brenda Keller, Linda Spivey, Karen Thomas and Barbara Wood all gave the correct answers to a 10-question list to win BASICS bright orange t-shirts and promotional pens. Questions for the hunt weren’t easy either. Derived from the QEP website and updated information on its progress, participants had to search the site as well as locate the Big Q boards located on the three main campuses. The boards announced staff development sessions offered October 2007 that will give faculty and staff an opportunity to gain insight and useful tools for implementing the BASICS plan collegewide. Congratulations Mary, Brenda, Linda, Karen & Barbara! QEP Assessment Congratulations to the Assessment Team -- Lisa Key Brown, Michelle Powell, Melissa Staley, and Bianka Stumpf (lead)!  The team has developed a proposal for assessing student learning based on research, conversations with outside assessment experts, and input from program leaders, administrators, and the QEP co-directors.  The team's approach combines direct and indirect assessment.  See the full proposal and send your comments to the QEP co-directors. QEP Focus Groups A special thanks to those who contributed their time and ideas during the February focus group sessions.  The group members offered innovative approaches and insights into the development and implementation of professional development and advising/counseling for the QEP.  Two proposals were developed based on focus group input and feedback from other individuals: Professional Development Proposal and Student Services Proposal.  See the meeting summaries: Interview with Cathy Swindell, Professional Development Focus Group, Interview with Diane Kannarr, Life Skills & Instruction: Program Leaders, Advising & Counseling Focus Group, and Interview with Lisa Chapman & Joni Pavlik.    (Left to right) Michelle Powell, Robert Powell, Lisa Duncan, David             Hartman, and George Clayton share their thoughts on professional           development and the QEP with co-director Celia Hurley.                                                                                                                                   (Left to right)  Mary Ann Gaster, Richard Love, Linda Summey, Brian Merritt, Paul Geist (CCCC student), Vivian Rosser, Jamee Stiffler, Lara Manton, and Kassandra Lyles describe potential approaches to incorporating life skills into advising and counseling as Celia Hurley, QEP co-director, takes notes. The BIG QEP Event Wednesday afternoon, February 21st was "fun, light and lively".  That's just one of many positive comments from the QEP Event evaluations.  The afternoon was filled with entertainment and at times unexpected moments like Carl Bryan's wig that looked totally natural!  Here are some of the reasons you said that you enjoyed the event: Carl Bryan's iPod skit was funny and entertaining.  Family Feud was fun and informative.  Everyone did a great job! I really appreciate the effort made to turn what would have been an extremely "dry" session into "info entertainment". Nancy Shue, she hit it on the head.  Just because some do not teach, we all need to know the answers or at least where to send people It is very evident that the parties involved spent a lot of time organizing this presentation. See the brochure and photos from the event. QEP Pilot Programs Four curriculum programs have been selected to participate in the QEP Pilot.  The programs are Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Resources Management, and Paralegal.  Faculty and counselors who support the programs will lead the project by embedding activities, assignments, and resources on effective communication into courses and advising.  Faculty and counselor leaders are George Clayton, Lisa Duncan, Richard Love, Lara Manton, Brian Merritt, Robert Powell, Vivian Rosser, and Johnny Shull.  A draft of the implementation schedule has been developed, and planning specific approaches to incorporating life skills begins this month. Congratulations, Crystal! Crystal Smith, Graphic Design Specialist, is the winner of the QEP logo contest.  Her winning entry is fresh, light, and will beautifully represent the project for many years to come.  Watch for it! News & Events Archives