Dr. Faye Pappalardo President

The campus is actively engaged in its formal "Self Study" in preparation for an April, 2011 Middle States evaluation team visit. A steering committee and seven work groups are finalizing the first draft of the Self Study Report for campus review this summer, with a goal of mailing the final report to Middle States in December.

Middle States Standard 7 focuses on the institution's assessment of its overall effectiveness. When I first became president of Carroll Community College, I charged the newly-formed Planning Advisory Council with developing a set of Institutional Effectiveness Assessment Measures. I approved the first set of 72 measures in June 1999. Working with the Board of Trustees, 20 of these measures were identified as "core indicators" of institutional effectiveness. Each year at the December meeting of the Board, the current values of these indicators are presented under the President's Report for the Board's review and discussion.

The Planning Advisory Council reviews the Institutional Effectiveness Assessment Measures every February. The Council focuses on measures falling below the college's target values. After last year's review, I announced initiatives for FY2010 to address concerns about student completion of their developmental programs, student underutilization of career planning services, and student awareness of cultural diversity.

This year's review prompted discussion of a student loan program and the campus's support for innovation. I am proud to lead an institution that thoroughly assesses its performance and uses the findings to plan and improve.

The facts and figures we track are an important way for the college to assess its effectiveness. Anecdotally, I hear many stories of individual students who exemplify why the college is so effective. Our students are the reason that faculty and staff work diligently to foster an excellent learning environment at Carroll.

You can read more information about the accomplishments of our students in other articles in this issue of Today.

A story in this issue about Carroll graduate Della D'Nicuola is part of an ongoing series of alumni profiles. Della demonstrates that it is never too late to return to college to pursue a new academic ambition. A story in this issue about VISTA volunteer Jeana Biondo showcases the college community's commitment to service. Finally, the Phi Theta Kappa story profiles students who take time out of their studies to give back to the community.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Today.

Dr. Faye Pappalardo
President

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