Defining Institutional Learning Outcomes: A Collaborative Initiative Facilitated by the Office of Academic and Student Affairs AND the College Governance Council

Public Mission of Public Higher Education Traditional mission: To prepare students to participate effectively as citizens within a democracy. Traditional mission of community colleges: To provide open access to an affordable quality education to all members of the community

SUNY Mission To provide to the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access, fully representative of all segments of the population in a complete range of academic, professional and vocational postsecondary programs....

Suffolk Mission Suffolk County Community College promotes intellectual discovery, physical development, social (awareness) ethical awareness, economic opportunities for all through an education that transforms lives, builds communities, and improves society.

General Education That education common to all graduates irrespective of major or degree program Commonly confused as Liberal Arts and Sciences courses required by education law. Generally achieved through: Common course work Common activities (e.g. required study abroad experience, service learning experience, intern/externships Common learning outcomes

National Conversations about General Education Civic engagement Understanding diversity and multiculturalism Information management/literacy Entrepreneurialism Civility/Leadership/Collaboration/Team building Environmental awareness Educating the person (i.e., parenting, personal finances) Training/Workforce development Understanding the global community

LEAP Initiative Essential Learning Outcomes—as a guiding vision and national benchmarks for college learning and liberal education in the 21st century Essential Learning Outcomes High-Impact Educational Practices—that help students achieve essential learning outcomes High-Impact Educational Practices Authentic Assessments—probing whether students can apply their learning to complex problems and real-world challenges Authentic Assessments Inclusive Excellence—to ensure that every student gets the benefits of an engaged and practical liberal education. Inclusive Excellence

LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World Through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the arts Intellectual and Practical Skills, Including Inquiry and analysis Critical and creative thinking Written and oral communication Quantitative literacy Information literacy Teamwork and problem solving

LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes Personal and Social Responsibility, Including Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global Intercultural knowledge and competence Ethical reasoning and action Foundations and skills for lifelong learning Integrative and Applied Learning, Including Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized studies

SUNY General Education Explanation: The State University of New York (SUNY) and Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) both require successful completion of core courses that meet General Education requirements. Students intending to transfer from SCCC to another SUNY school for a bachelor's degree are expected to meet the SUNY General Education requirements. All baccalaureate degree candidates at any college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system must complete a 30 credit-hour General Education requirement. Students must take at least one approved course in each of the ten areas identified below. Students at Suffolk County Community College who plan to transfer to a SUNY four-year institution are expected to complete a minimum of 21 credits (7 courses) of the SUNY general education course requirements. Students are strongly advised to satisfy the full 30-credit requirement prior to transfer. MathematicsOther world civilizations Natural SciencesHumanities Social SciencesThe Arts American HistoryForeign languages Western CivilizationBasic communication Students not intending to transfer to a SUNY school, or students not intending to continue beyond an Associate's degree need only fulfill SCCC General Education requirements. These circumstances do not preclude students from meeting the SUNY requirements. Students whose plans remain open are encouraged to complete the SUNY requirements because doing so will provide greater flexibility in exercising future options.SCCC General Education requirements

Middle States Requirements Critical thinking Written communication Oral communication Quantitative reasoning Scientific reasoning Technological competence Information literacy

What do we value? To find out, we need Informed and faculty-driven conversation Conversion of conversation into institutional learning outcomes Deliberation through shared governance processes

Considerations Missions of public higher education, community colleges, and Suffolk Community College Research and conversations taking place across the country, the state, SUNY, and our own college community The needs of our students and our communities Our own values, expertise, and possibilities

Get your start at Suffolk But getting a start means different things to different students. A start in their college or employment career Continuing their education Starting over Discovering new interests

Developing Suffolk ILOs Fall 2012—Education and Information Gathering CGC members, GSC members, and Faculty Coordinator of Assessment to visit governance meetings, department meetings, town hall meetings, and other venues Nov/Dec 2012—Survey to determine top priorities Jan 2013—GSC to convert priorities into ILOs Feb 2013—ILOs discussed at governance meetings March 2013—College Curriculum considers ILOs April/May 2013—Governance considers ILOs

Resources SUNY General Education Requirement: General Education in the 21 st Century: A Report of the University of California commission in General Education in the 21 st Century: Reclaiming the American Dream: Community Colleges and the Nation’s Future: Liberal Education and America’s Promise: LEAP Essential Learning Outcomes: Trends and Emerging Practices in General Education: The Degree Qualifications Profile: Common Core State Standards Initiative: