As part of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) 2020 Reaffirmation of Accreditation process, Pasco-Hernando State College is required to develop a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). A QEP is defined by SACSCOC as a “course of action that is specific to an institution and its mission. It is intended to be part of self-identified needs at a particular institution.” Even though developing a QEP is a requirement for reaffirmation, it is viewed as an opportunity for continuous improvement at PHSC.
The process of developing the QEP began last fall when a committee consisting of faculty, students, staff, administrators, and community members was established to identify a topic specific to the needs of PHSC aligned with the institution’s vision and mission. Through the work of this committee, the QEP Topic Selection Committee, College Readinesswas identified as the topic.
Following topic identification last fall, a new committee was established in the spring, the QEP Development and Implementation Committee, which is comprised of faculty, staff, students, administrators, and a member of the District Board of Trustees. The purpose of this committee is to build upon the work of the QEP Topic Selection Committee by researching the chosen topic, College Readiness; identifying the best practices necessary to address the topic; and writing, implementing, assessing, and maintaining the QEP.
“We have an exceptional committee comprised of talented individuals from across the college community, each bringing ideas and expertise to the table,” said Misty R. Price, Ph.D., CPA, Professor of Accounting and QEP Director and Chair, QEP Development and Implementation Committee. “It is an exciting time to see what will develop through PHSC’s next QEP!”
The QEP Development and Implementation Committee held their first meeting this fall, in the Conference Center on PHSC’s West Campus. Committee members gathered to hear important information about the task at hand. Tasks include creating a QEP Mission Statement; selecting the specific College Readiness Areas of Focus; selecting a target student population; identifying an appropriate course of action; creating the curriculum and assessment plan for the identified course of action; creating a budget to initiate, implement, and complete the QEP; and creating an implementation timeline to integrate the QEP into the institution.
More information on PHSC’s QEP is forthcoming and will be available at PHSC’s Accreditation webpage, https://policies.phsc.edu/accreditation.
Photo caption: PHSC’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Development and Implementation Committee met (in October) to discuss the project topic of College Readiness and ways to help student success. There are more than 45 team members from administrators and faculty to staff and students.
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) serves the educational needs and interests of its community by awarding certificates, diplomas, associate, and baccalaureate degrees. As a comprehensive, multicampus learning-centered institution, PHSC utilizes various instructional modalities and support services. PHSC provides an accessible, diverse teaching and learning environment rich with opportunities for students to achieve academic success and cultural growth in a global society.
###