October 2024 Highlights

October 2024

As we dive into October, I am excited to share some updates that reflect the incredible work happening across our division. We welcome Magdalena Ayala, our new Testing Center Manager, who will lead our efforts to enhance our testing services. The new Testing Center will utilize existing spaces and resources to support high- and low-stakes testing, improve test security, and offer accessible and consistent testing environments for our students and community members.

Early College continues to grow with a likely double-digit enrollment increase this fall and addition of two new high schools for dual and concurrent enrollment. This growth is a testament to our program’s success and the partnerships we are building. With this expansion, we are also navigating the challenges of scaling up and change, but we remain committed to enhancing these partnerships and providing even greater opportunities for our students.

Our Library Services team has revamped the laptop loan program to allow students to borrow laptops for home use. With 73 laptops currently checked out, this change has made a real impact by increasing access and bridging the digital divide for students at all nine locations. Meanwhile, our Open Textbook Grant team is making solid progress in promoting Open Educational Resources (OER) by collaborating with the IC OER Taskforce and the Arizona State Open Textbook Consortium to expand awareness and streamline resources for faculty and students.

The Office of Accessibility and Inclusion (OAI) is working hard to ensure that students receive the accommodations they need and that the college stays compliant with ADA guidelines. In partnership with Instructional Technology and Curriculum Support (ITCS), they are planning to offer digital accessibility training for faculty and staff this year. In response to Department of Justice's (DOJ) final rule on digital accessibility, OAI is also working with various departments to make sure our websites are accessible to people with disabilities. These initiatives are crucial to ensuring that all our students have equitable access to resources and support.

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, and our ITCS department has responded by launching an AI in Education Community and facilitating workshops to empower our faculty and staff. In the meantime, we continue to work with the IC Academic Standards Subcommittee to assist with the development of AI guidelines and best practices.

Finally, aligning with NPC’s 2024-2025 strategic priorities, the division is helping streamline and implement pathways for student completion of the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC). Upon final approval, we will be working to promote the new AGEC to high schools and encourage students to embark on pathways that can lead to a milestone credential, an associate degree, or smooth transfer to universities.

Thanks all for your hard work and passion. I look forward to our continued growth and innovation together!

Wei Ma, PhD
Dean of Instructional Innovation
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