Quality Enhancement Plan

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2019 Quality Enhancement Plan

Overview

Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s accreditation is reaffirmed every ten years by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is a private, non-profit and voluntary organization founded in 1895 in Atlanta. For an institute to be accredited and reaffirmed, the Institutions must demonstrate compliance with the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation and prepare a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Reaffirmation of accreditation by the Commission on Colleges involves a thorough review of compliance through an off-site peer review, an on-site review, and review by the Commission’s Board of Trustees.

What is the focus of the college’s quality enhancement plan (QEP)?

Effective Professional and Interpersonal Communication (EPIC)
Based upon campus and employer feedback gathered through institutional research, HGTC discovered the need to enhance coaching methods for students on how to become better communicators in their academic and career settings. The 2019 QEP initiative focuses on helping students to gain more effective professional and interpersonal communication skills that they will utilize during exchanges in career and education environments. The college adopted EPIC as the acronym and marketing brand for HGTC’s new quality enhancement plan.

What is the rationale behind the EPIC plan?

HGTC understands that solid communication skills are a critical component of success in academic and non-academic settings. Institutional research results identified perceived challenges students encounter in the area of communication which presented an opportunity for the college to develop an EPIC plan to improve these skills. The plan involves creating collaborations across college divisions that focus on communications concepts to optimize student success in this pertinent soft skill area.

EPIC Goals

The goals of the EPIC Quality Enhancement Plan focus on improving students’ Effective Professional and Interpersonal Communication skills in career and education environments to help students:

• Improve success in communication proficiency
• Enhance understanding of professional and interpersonal communication best practices
• Increase engagement in professional and interpersonal communication interactions

Will students benefit from the goal of this initiative?

Without question! The EPIC plan will enable students to improve their oral and written communication skills to express themselves effectively within their chosen career and educational environments

Ultimately, students will elevate their ability to speak and write clear and meaningful messages in professional and interpersonal settings, while in school and as they prepare for their workforce transition. They will be able to understand the use of proper etiquette and professional techniques for connecting with people during business and educational exchanges.

Student Learning Outcomes

The EPIC plan will support success in professional and interpersonal communication as students:

• Utilize appropriate communication formats when conveying professional and interpersonal thoughts and ideas
• Apply appropriate language when speaking and writing for their chosen field of study or industry
• Demonstrate appropriate communication techniques when engaging audiences

QEP Tasks and Timeline

• Research and Plan Development – complete
• Identify Assessment Methods – complete
• Student Logo Contest Submissions – complete
• Student Logo Winner Selection – complete
• QEP Draft #1 – complete
• QEP Final Draft – complete
• QEP Marketing Campaign – in progress
• SACSCOC On-Site Visit – complete
• Faculty Rubric Training – complete
• EPIC Pilot Courses - Spring 2019 – in progress
• Conway EPIC lab open - Spring 2019 – in progress

EPIC Logo Design Winners

HGTC 2019 QEP Co-Chairs and Committee Members

• April D. Garner, M.Ed., CDF - Co-Chair, Director, Career Services, Office of Career Services
• Theresa M. Strong, MBA - Co-Chair, Academic Chair, and Professor, Business Administration & Personal Care Services
• Tony Chowning, Professor, Speech
• Chris Heafner, Asst. Chair, Professor, English
• Sherry James, Professor, Nursing
• Russell Luce, Professor, Communications
• Rich McBride, Asst. Chair, Professor, Mathematics
• Deanna Ruth, Professor, Forestry
• Scott Shoemaker, Professor, Electrical Lineman

Please direct any comments or questions about the EPIC Quality Enhancement Plan to QEP Director Lori Heafner at Lori.Heafner@hgtc.edu.