The 5 Life Skills In January 2007 the Skill Selection Team revealed the results of a lengthy search for the top life skills.  The team identified 13 different skills.  The co-directors carefully worked through the list and awarded points to each skill based on several criteria.  The result is a list of 5 life skills that will be embedded into courses and counseling. Effective Communication Students will be able to apply (or show improvement in) various communication skills within a practical setting.  Communication might include speaking, listening, and writing effectively. Problem Identification, Analysis, and Resolution Students will demonstrate the ability to gather information and data relevant to a personal or organizational problem.  Using this information, students will identify potential solutions and recommend a course of action. Information Literacy Students will be able to effectively gather, organize, evaluate, and apply information with an understanding of information sources and technologies. Handling and Resolving Conflict  Students will be able to identify and apply various conflict management techniques in an organizational, classroom, or team setting.   Working in Teams Students will demonstrate the ability to share responsibilities, accomplish tasks, reach decisions by consensus, and to resolve issues and problems in a collaborative manner. Find out how the top 5 were chosen. Congratulations, Robin! Robin Walker, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Instruction, has been selected as the winner of the QEP Naming Contest.  Robin's winning entry is BASICS: Building All Skills in College Students.  Click here to see Robin's winning smile. QEP College-wide Event The date and location are now set for the spring QEP College-wide Event: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 3 pm at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.  The event goals include to: Build awareness of the QEP Build energy and enthusiasm for the QEP Present updates and information Share the learner-centered concept Have fun This is an event you'll want to attend!  Life Skills Defined Although life skills was finalized as our QEP topic last spring, a specific definition had not been developed.  Thanks to the work of the Skill Selection Team, the Co-Directors, and the SACS Leadership Team, we now have a common definition for life skills: those foundational, transferable, and essential skills that enable learners to achieve academic, professional, and personal success. February Focus Groups The Co-Directors will conduct small focus groups during mid-February 2007. The goal is to gather information that will continue to refine the college-wide plan by determining specific strategies for accomplishing each of the five QEP goals. QEP Prospectus Reviewed SACS Staff Liaison Dr. Donna Wilkinson responded to the college’s QEP prospectus on Tuesday, November 14, in a phone conference that included the QEP co-directors, Barbara Rusher and Celia Hurley, the QEP Core Team, Jennifer Lloyd, Tammie Quick, Steve Lympany, and Linda Stone, and three QEP team leaders, Mavis Carter, Jon Matthews, and Bianka Stumpf.  Dr. Wilkinson’s comments began with assurance that the plan was going in the right direction.  Dr. Wilkinson then provided specific guidance related to the budget and the development/implementation timeline.  She also shared feedback from other colleges that had completed QEPs and recommendations from various QEP reaffirmation committee reports.  Based on the materials and comments Dr. Wilkinson shared, some general positive outcomes related to QEP development and implementation include: •    The plan fosters camaraderie and collaboration •    The plan unifies institutions •    The plan moves teaching and learning to the forefront Some general QEP challenges include: •    The plan takes a lot of time and effort •    The plan requires a high level of assessment •    The plan requires intense communication across all campuses Dr. Wilkinson’s contributions will be invaluable as the project continues to move forward. Team Meetings During the week of November 13th, two QEP teams met.  The Communications Team discussed marketing efforts underway as well as developed a schedule of activities and events for the upcoming months.  The team has focused much effort on a QEP website (http://www.cccc.edu/qep).  It will be one of the primary avenues of communication and changes in the site are occurring regularly. The Skill Selection Team met to continue to narrow the list of life skills. Based on discussion and review of various life skills lists, the group has already shortened CCCC’s original list of skills.  The team is now in the process of identifying a list of five skills. The team will then decide on one skill to begin the project that will fit all curriculum programs. The topic will become the initial core for development as learning modules and for assimilation into workshops, orientations, and advising. Dr. John Slade provided opening comments at each meeting.  He emphasized the importance of both QEP marketing and focus.  He also shared insights gained from his recent SACS observation visit to Northwest Mississippi Community College. Assessment Team The QEP Assessment Team membership has been announced.  Team members include Bianka Stumpf, lead, Lisa K. Brown, Michelle Powell, and Melissa Staley.  The team’s charge is to develop the assessment plan and rubrics for the life skills modules, to determine how improvements in student learning will be measured and documented, and to work with the template and module development teams to verify that appropriate assessment is taking place.  QEP Prospectus Completed The QEP prospectus has been completed and has been forwarded to Dr. Donna Wilkinson, SACS staff liaison. Dr. Wilkinson will visit the Lee Campus on Tuesday, November 14, to discuss the compliance document and the QEP. Co-directors, Barbara Rusher and Celia Hurley, and the QEP Core Team, Jennifer Lloyd, Steve Lympany, Tammie Quick, and Linda Stone, will attend meetings to hear Dr. Wilkinson’s comments and ask questions. After receiving Dr. Wilkinson’s review, the Co-Directors will begin revisions on the document and continue work toward the final plan.