QEP FOCUS GROUP MEETING

PINEVILLE CAMPUS

MAY 2, 2005

Attending:   Rick Mason, Susan Croushorn, Mike Rose, Paul Hutson, Nola Rose, Kim Byrd, Carolyn Evans, Doug Holt, Jennifer Howard, Peggy Partin, Marisa Greer, Jane Harper, Liz Greene, Bobby Grubbs, Kim Maynard, Andrea Woods, Nancy Miles, Margie Huff, Mike Good.

Rick Mason discussed the three areas suggested by the President’s Leadership Team for the QEP.

• Improving Student Performance in Developmental Courses
• Enhancing Student Success in Allied Health Programs
• Helping Students to Reach Career Goals by Improving Retention

Both Rick Mason and Susan Croushorn discussed the reason for the QEP and the changes in SACS procedure. 

Kim Byrd asked if the topic on “enhancing student success in allied health programs” was too narrow a topic.  Rick explained that the topic needs to be focused and doesn’t necessarily have to affect all students.

Carolyn Evans commented on the retention rate of allied health students and said that it was already above average.   The question of whether retention relates directly to student learning was discussed.

Peggy Partin discussed the high attrition rate in nursing programs.  How do we define success in allied health?   What can we do to bring in recent high school graduates?   Do they need all the general education requirements prior to admission in allied health programs?

The group discussed the role of developmental and concluded that if we focus on improving student performance in developmental courses, student success in allied health programs would be improved as well.   Retention would also follow suit. 

After much discussion also, the group suggested developmental sections specifically for allied health.   A math course designed for allied health programs that would cover basic math computations necessary for pharmacology would help more than the current developmental courses.   There is little demand for algebraic functions in nursing, however, basic conversions, percentages, etc., are critical.   It was also suggested that dual credit courses targeting seniors interested in allied health would be helpful.