The eight measures include the progress of basic skills students; passing rates on licensure and certification for first-time test takers; performance of college transfer students; passing rates in developmental courses; student satisfaction of completers and non-completers; curriculum student retention, graduation, and transfer; and client satisfaction with customized training.
Surry Community College met all eight of the performance standards identified by the N.C. Community College System and is ranked as an exceptional community college for the 2009-10 year.
SCC President Dr. Deborah Friedman said, “The results of this report indicate the continued success of our students in a number of important academic areas. Even in times of limited resources, our employees continue to remain focused on our mission. We are serving the citizens of our communities today, so that they can achieve their educational goals for a better tomorrow.”
“We are one of 11 so it’s a select group of colleges that are able to perform at that level,” said Dr. Anne Hennis, vice president of planning, research and assessment for SCC, noting that there used to be a different ranking system. Colleges were ranked as exceptional or not at all. “Quite a few colleges met seven measures and quite a few met six. In a good year, the college would get funding for this, but it’s my understanding none is available right now. It just means that we’re an exceptional college.”
Progress of basic skills students improved from 85 percent in last year’s report to 87 percent in the new report. Basic skills students are those trying to get a GED or improve their reading levels. The students set goals for themselves at the start of the year and the report shows that 87 percent of those students met their goals. Once a student completes his or her GED through the college, the SCC Foundation provides a scholarship for the student to take an additional class in either the curriculum or continuing education department in the hopes that the student will want to further his or her education.
According to Virginia Stammetti, director of basic skills, “We have a team of dedicated basic skills instructors and coordinators who are conscientious about the students and their progress. They monitor the students’ goals and progress to ensure their success. We are proud that a large percentage of our basic skills students continue their education here at SCC in additional continuing education or curriculum courses.”
Business and industry satisfaction with services provided also improved from 97 percent in last year’s report to 98 percent in the 2010 report.
“We have been able to respond to the specific training and retraining needs of industries in a timely manner,” said Dr. George Sappenfield, vice president of corporate and continuing education. “Businesses and industries are also excited about the possible future class offerings at centers to be located in Pilot Mountain and Elkin through the Golden LEAF Community Assistance grant.”
“I think that shows we are being exceptionally responsive and are continuing to work closely with them,” said Hennis, vice president of planning, research, and assessment, of the college’s partnership with the community.
Surry Community College also holds the rare distinction of meeting the performance measure for college transfer students since 2003.
Dr. Jami Woods, vice president for curriculum programs, explained, “When Surry students go on to achieve success in the university setting or on industry-recognized certifications, you have to recognize that the faculty members who taught those students are key factors in that success.”
Last year and the year before, the college met seven of the eight measures, falling short on the passing rates on licensure and certification for first-time test takers.
“We’ve put a lot of focus on those particular areas like nursing and EMT,” said Hennis of how the college worked to overcome that issue for this year.
Despite meeting all eight measures and being named an exceptional college, the school will continue to work to improve in all of the areas measured in an effort to achieve even higher percentages next year.
“Each year, we review the results of the report to see how we can adjust and improve for the following year. We are pleased with our results, but we realize the need to continuously monitor and adjust our programs so that they are meeting the identified standards,” said Hennis. “We are fortunate to be one of 11 community colleges in the NC Community College System to be ranked as exceptional for this year.”
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