PJC Board of Regents updated on student progress

Published or Revised October 02, 2015

Progress on student achievement targets was the focus of two reports received by the Paris Junior College Board of Regents at their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29. A cohort of 1,301 first time students is tracked for PJC's Quality Enhancement Plan, which uses new student orientation and academic advising measures to improve student performance. The students' progress in meeting performance targets was reported on by Associate Vice President of Student Access and Success Sheila Reece. The QEP is required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as part of PJC accreditation. Institutional Research Director Beverly Matthews reported on student learning outcomes. This report assesses a smaller group of students, not just those attending PJC for the first time, but those who are also first generation college students. The report measures student completion rates and whether academic advising and mandatory orientation. In other action the regents:

• Received a report on fall enrollment showing a slight decline in enrollment from one year ago. Reduced contact hours are being experienced by many colleges around the state, and is an expected outcome of the recent mandate by the State of Texas for 60-hour associate degrees.
• Discussed filling the District 2 regent position, vacated by the resignation of Carlton Grant in August. An action item will be placed on the October meeting agenda regarding the postion.
• Approved revisions to the GK (Local) accreditation policy to include substantive changes to meet the requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
• Approved the continued use of a pricing formula by the Continuing Education department that allows the program to calculate charges to break even on their course offerings in the coming year. The formula works well, but annual approval by the regents is required.
• Approved the Institutional Strategic Goals and objectives for 2015-2020. These include: provide access to higher education throughout the service area; provide high quality instruction; increase workforce training in program offerings and in number of students; increase the tax base to secure the institution's future; continue to focus on and strengthen student retention and the success agenda; and obtain and make available relevant technology for administrative and student use.
• Approved the employment of Academic/Financial Aid Advisor at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center of Carey Gable, Educational Opportunity Center Advisor Dereck Owens, and Assistant to the President Stacy Young, the reassignment of Christi Timberlake as Director of Educational Talent Search/Upward Bound, and resignations of Instructor of Plumbing Kevin Adams and Director of Educational Opportunity Center Nellie Norwood.