The goal is to achieve a certain standard and cultivate a continuous self-assessment and improvement process. By embracing this ongoing cycle, the EPP can ensure a dynamic learning environment that consistently evolves to meet the ever-changing needs of students and the educational landscape.
Specifically, the EPP has identified the following areas for improvement:
Student satisfaction: The EPP needs to address the declining trend in student satisfaction across all survey items.
Instructor knowledge and communication: The EPP needs to enhance instructor knowledge and communication skills.
Student interest: The EPP needs to explore innovative teaching methods to stimulate student interest and motivation.
Feedback: The EPP needs to develop clear guidelines and timelines for providing timely and constructive feedback to students.
Program-specific goals: The EPP needs to address concerns related to instructor knowledge, communication, and student interest in the Educational Leadership program. The EPP needs to maintain a relatively stable performance and identify opportunities for further improvement in the Psychology program. The EPP needs to build on the positive trends in certain areas and address the declining trends in others in the Teaching and Learning program.
Academic programs with consistently low enrollment numbers (<5 students over 5 years) can pose significant challenges for higher education institutions. This can be a problem for several reasons, including:
Resource Allocation: Programs with low enrollment often require the same resources as programs with higher enrollment, such as faculty, classroom space, and administrative support. This can lead to inefficient resource allocation and financial strain.
Program Quality: Low enrollment can impact the quality of the program. It can be challenging to offer diverse courses, maintain a vibrant learning environment, and provide adequate student support services to a small number of students.
Student Experience: Students in low-enrollment programs may have limited opportunities for peer interaction, diverse perspectives, and extracurricular activities. This can negatively impact their overall student experience.
Sustainability: Programs with consistently low enrollment may struggle to remain sustainable in the long term. They may need help attracting and retaining qualified faculty and face challenges in maintaining program accreditation and reputation.
In such cases, the college should make important decisions regarding the program. They can explore options such as:
Program Discontinuation: If the program cannot attract and retain students, discontinuation might be necessary to reallocate resources to more sustainable and in-demand programs.
Program Consolidation: The college can consider consolidating the program with similar programs or departments to create a more robust and attractive program with higher enrollment potential.
Curriculum Enhancement: The college can enhance the program's curriculum, making it more relevant, innovative, and aligned with industry demands to attract more students.
Marketing and Outreach: The college can implement targeted marketing and outreach strategies to promote the program, highlighting its unique strengths and career opportunities.
By addressing programs with low enrollment, the college can ensure it makes the best use of its resources, maintains the quality of its academic offerings, and provides students with a rich and fulfilling learning experience.
Art Education (GR): This program has consistently low enrollment and a 0% graduation rate in both cycles.
Biology and Chemistry (GR): This program also has low enrollment and very low graduation rates in both cycles.
Career and Technical Education (CTE-A/CTE-O) (GR): This program has low graduation rates and decreasing retention rates, indicating significant challenges in student success and program completion.
Early Childhood: This program has consistently low graduation rates (6-8%) and fluctuating enrollment, suggesting challenges in attracting and retaining students.
Math: This program has very low enrollment, zero graduates in both cycles, and fluctuating retention rates.
These programs' consistently low enrollment, graduation rates, and retention rates raise concerns about their long-term viability and resource allocation.