Effective assessment of student learning is a matter of commitment, not a matter of compliance. To that end, Mesalands Community College is dedicated to establishing a culture of assessment embedded in every aspect of the educational process. Assessing, understanding, and improving student learning is an ongoing, institution-wide process that involves all stakeholders, both internal and external. The first stated goal of Mesalands Community College is to provide an environment where learning is appreciated, encouraged, and assessed. The Student Learning Assessment Committee (SLAC) is responsible for facilitating the assessment of both the General Education Competencies and Program Objectives.
General Education Competencies
The College has identified six General Education Competencies that all Mesalands Community College graduates will demonstrate upon completion of a degree. These competencies (Writing, Oral Communication, Information Technology, Critical Thinking, Scientific Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning) represent the most deeply held values of the College.
General Education Competencies are assessed wherever or however learning occurs, utilizing rubrics. Simply put, a rubric is a scoring tool that identifies specific expectations for a task or assignment. Rubrics divide the task into its component parts and provide a detailed description of what constitutes an acceptable or unacceptable level of performance for each of those parts (Stevens and Levi, 2005). The General Education Competency rubrics utilized by the College:
- Communication: Writing Rubric
- Communication: Information Technology Rubric
- Communication: Oral Presentation Rubric
- Mathematical Reasoning Rubric
- Scientific Reasoning Rubric
- Critical Thinking Rubric
In support of the College’s attempt to assess General Education Competency attainment, students in their last semester prior to graduation with a degree are required to successfully complete ENG 299: Capstone Portfolio Course. This course assists students in documenting general education competency achievement in communication (writing, oral presentation, and information technology), mathematical and scientific reasoning, and critical thinking during their program of study using artifacts. A portfolio reflecting best practices will be submitted to a faculty committee for review and evaluation. This course must be completed during the student’s last semester prior to graduation. Students who plan on graduating with an associate degree or who will have completed 60 credit hours by the end of a given semester are also required to take the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) exam at the scheduled time and day.
Program Objectives
Degree and certificate programs of study have identified program-specific objectives. These program objectives reflect those competencies that students will possess and demonstrate upon graduation. The program objectives reflect those areas of knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions valued by workplace employers and other stakeholders. Degree programs measure both General Education competency and program-specific objective attainment, while certificate programs measure program-specific objective attainment only.
Documentation of the activities involved in the assessment, analysis, and improvement of student learning at Mesalands Community College:
- SLAC Annual Report 2018-2019
- SLAC Annual Report 2017-2018
- SLAC Annual Report 2016-2017
- SLAC Annual Report 2015-2016
- SLAC Annual Report 2014-2015
- SLAC Annual Report 2013-2014
- Student Learning Assessment Program Reports 2013-2014
- SLAC Annual Report 2012-2013
- Student Learning Assessment Program Reports 2012-2013
- SLAC Annual Report 2011-2012
- SLAC Annual Report 2010-2011
- SLAC Annual Report 2009-2010
Program Assessment Overviews
An overview of the methods used by certificate and degree programs to assess student attainment of their respective program objectives and general education competencies can be found on the following links:
- Animal Science Assessment Overview
- Associate of Arts University Studies Assessment Overview
- Building Trades Assessment Overview
- Business Administration Assessment Overview
- Business Office Technology Assessment Overview
- Early Childhood Education Assessment Overview
- Farrier Science Assessment Overview
- Fine Arts Assessment Overview
- Natural Sciences Assessment Overview
- Nursing Assistant Assessment Overview
- Phlebotomy Assessment Overview
- Social Work Assessment Overview
- Technical and Professional Writing Assessment Overview
- Wind Energy Technology Assessment Overview
Assessment of student learning is an ongoing process. Those shareholders involved in the plan-do-study-adjust cycle of student assessment must remain current with the latest research and information as it relates to student academic achievement. In an effort to keep those interested parties up-to-date as to the current state of assessment at the College, Mesalands Community College maintains the following:
- Student Guide to Assessment
- Student Learning Assessment Model (SLAM) 2013-2014
- Student Learning Assessment Model (SLAM) 2012-2013
- Student Learning Assessment Model (SLAM) 2011-2012
- Student Learning Assessment Model (SLAM) 2010-2011
- Student Learning Assessment Model (SLAM) 2009-2010
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2019-2020
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2018-2019
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2017-2018
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2016-2017
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2014-2015
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2013-2014
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2012-2013
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2011-2012
- Student Learning Assessment Guide for Faculty 2009-2010
- Results Forum Impact Report (September 2012)
- A Beginner’s Guide to Student Learning Assessment
Student Persistence and Completion
Although efforts to improve student persistence and completion are the responsibility of all faculty and staff at Mesalands Community College, Student Affairs is charged with the development and implementation of a formal Persistence Plan. The purpose of the Persistence Plan is to document the systematic and comprehensive approach to improving student persistence and completion that can easily be understood and followed by all campus personnel. This plan is presented to all faculty and staff on an annual basis and is available upon request for examination from the Student Affairs Office. The Student Affairs Office also prepares a weekly report on persistence-related activities. This Persistence Newsletter is disseminated to all College faculty and staff on a weekly basis.
Office of Student Affairs
911 South Tenth Street
Tucumcari, NM 88401
(575) 461-6600
