2006 PERFORMANCE REPORT St. Augustine College

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1 SECTION I: INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT Mission Statement is an independent, bilingual (dual language) institution of higher education created under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese. goals are: To make the American system of higher education accessible to a diverse student population with emphasis on those of Hispanic descent; To strengthen ethnic identity; To reinforce cultural interaction; and To build a bridge to fill cultural, educational, and socio-economic gaps. Environmental Analysis A growing number of institutions now offer programs geared to the needs of Spanish-speaking students resulting in greater competition for St. Augustine. St. Augustine has a high debt ratio, limiting the portion of the operating budget that is available for improving academic quality, investing in human resources, and expansion. Recent cutbacks in federal and state aid programs as well as the prospect that these will be reduced even further provide St. Augustine and its students with significant challenges. The rapid evolution of technology and the continually increasing demand of the workplace for technologically proficient graduates will make it difficult and expensive to St. Augustine to maintain the level of technological capacity that will be necessary. The lack of an institutional peer group whose student, faculty and geographic demographics match our makes it difficult for us to benchmark our progress in realistic, relevant ways. Many new Hispanic residents of the City of Chicago and its surroundings are young to middleaged adults. The college has to seek ways to provide quality opportunities to meet the needs of this particular population. Although the City of Chicago has experienced an increase in its Hispanic population, many of them are still in the process of obtaining their legal residence in the U.S. Because they do not qualify for federal financial aid, that exert a limitation in terms of increasing enrollment in our programs. Therefore, our resources are restricted, especially in terms of faculty, support staff, office space, and classroom space. 1

2 SECTION II: PROGRESS POLICY AREA ONE: Higher education will help Illinois sustain strong economic growth through its teaching, service, and research activities. COMMON INSTITUTIONAL INDICATORS Percent of undergraduate degree/certificate recipients either employed or enrolled in further education within one year of graduation Number Employed and/or Enrolled Number of Survey Respondents Percent Employed and/or Enrolled a) Institutional goal(s) for this indicator: contributes to sustain economic growth of the State of Illinois by producing graduates who build bridges to fill cultural, educational, and socio-economic gaps. The goal for this indicator is to expand the procedure currently used in our Respiratory Therapy to measure the annual rate. Based on this information we will set employment rate goals across majors. b) Brief interpretation of institutional performance and related implications:, through its Respiratory Therapy program has been able to consistently comply with the job placement threshold. Most of our graduates find jobs even before they graduate. The implementation of a clinical internship has increased the opportunity for students to get hired at the place they do their clinical internship. Every semester the program receives more and more inquiries from local hospital and nursing homes requesting to send our students to their facilities. Data collected continue showing that more than 80% of the employees surveyed strongly agree/agree that our graduates have developed the appropriate cognitive skills needed to effectively function in any healthcare setting. Some employees commented that the medical and respiratory care knowledge of our graduates have significantly improved in the past years. In the future we hope to expand employers survey collection to other majors. MISSION-SPECIFIC INDICATORS is committed to promoting continuing education after graduation. Our vision is to continue expanding the number of academic programs that are consistent with the economy and the market forces of the state. We plan to implement an annual exit survey to determine the extent of success in this particular area. The Respiratory Therapy program continues implementing its 2.67 GPA requirement for admission into the program. Data for Spring and Fall 2005 cohorts show that approximately 90% of students 2

3 with a GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 passed their NBRC examination the first time they took the exam. Approximately 80% of students with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.67 passed their NBCR examination the second/third time they took the exam. These records indicate our success in preparing our students to be ready to participate professionally in the field of strong demand such as Respiratory Therapy. 3

4 POLICY AREA TWO: Higher education will join elementary and secondary education to improve teaching and learning at all levels. As new trends in pre-school education take form in the State of Illinois, we continue to provide our students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program with opportunities to advance their education. To that effect, we reached an articulation between National-Louis University s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education program and s (SAC) Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees in Early Childhood Education. Through this articulation, our students are able to complete a program of study at SAC leading to an Associate degree; afterwards students can transfer to NLU where they can obtain their Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. NLU has already enrolled a number of SAC graduates and expects more SAC students to enroll at NLU. Faculty and staff at both institutions have worked together to assist students in their transition from the bilingual environment at SAC to NLU, and to promote their academic success. The finalization of the transfer guides will provide an academic plan for students from the time they begin their enrollment at SAC to completion of their BA degree in Early Childhood Education at NLU. 4

5 POLICY AREA THREE: No Illinois citizen will be denied an opportunity for a college education because of financial need. MISSION-SPECIFIC INDICATORS is committed to providing an affordable education to those communities who have historically not received that opportunity. We recognize that many families, especially immigrants face financial challenges to attend college. One of our goals has been to develop different avenues to provide students with financial aid to take advantage of the best possible education. Our tuition has remained the same during the past years. We have not increased the tuition in spite of increasing in the Consumer Price Index. The administration has focused its efforts in identifying and obtaining public and private grants that have significant components of scholarships to supplement shortfalls on state and federal financial aid in the last few years. We continue however facing challenges regarding the reduction of financial awards by the state and federal governments. In addition, faculty and staff strongly support the educational mission of the college. SAC hosted its annual Crossing the Bridge awards celebration as a gala benefit to fund merit- and need-based scholarships at the college. We plan to expand and continue our outreach efforts to inform Hispanic families about the financial aid process. Our staff is committed to assisting them in their planning to fund their education. 5

6 POLICY AREA FOUR: Illinois will increase the number and diversity of citizens completing training and education programs. Completions by race/ethnicity and gender Data for Y05-06 Ethnic COMMON INSTITUTIONAL INDICATORS Asian African-American Hispanic White Total female male female male female male female male Gender female 276 male 60 Total 336 Source: IPEDS Degrees Conferred Survey. [Supporting data is available on the IBHE website.] a) Institutional goal(s) for this indicator: The institutional goal for this indicator is to maintain in Y06-07 the same graduation rate as the previous rate increases projected for Y07-08 and Y b) Brief interpretation of institutional performance and related implications: Our numbers indicate that the minority and gender graduation rates have remained stable in relationship to our enrollment patterns. MISSION-SPECIFIC INDICATORS Our institution has remained successful at sustaining its graduation rate because we have been able to maintain the small size of our classes. Small size of classes is an integral characteristic of our institution, which has shown to enhance the chances of success of our students. 6

7 POLICY AREA FIVE: Illinois colleges and universities will be accountable for providing high quality academic programs and the systematic assessment of student learning outcomes while holding students to ever higher expectations for learning and growth. Fiscal Year 2006 Accomplishments A new integrated institution-wide computer system has replaced our old administrative computing system. We migrated to a server based system that will provide access and flexibility to staff and faculty. This in turn will lead to increased productivity and cost effectiveness. A partnership was formed with National-Louis University to support students who wish to transfer and obtain a degree in Early Childhood Education. continues to be a leader among independent not-for-profit 2-year institutions in the State of Illinois to graduate the highest percentage of Hispanics. SAC has remained the only private institution of higher education with the largest percentage of Hispanic enrollment in the State of Illinois. Two-hundred and thirty six associate s degrees, sixteen bachelors of Social Work, and eighteen certificates ere awarded during the academic year The Bachelor of Social Work has been granted a two-year candidacy for accreditation, as the second stage of the long term process for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. The Illinois Board of Higher Education has approved the Bachelor of Psychology The Respiratory Therapy is now fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The Child Care Center at the Main Campus installed a new, state-of-the-art playground to enhance psycho-motor abilities of children in its care Financial literacy education was provided in the form of a computer-based, interactive curriculum to St. Augustine students and the community at-large at all three SAC sites. A new curriculum addressing the math, science and literacy education requirements of children in the Flamboyan Head Start Center at the West Campus was implemented. The General Education Development (GED) program and the Basic English Program were strengthened with a revised curriculum. 7

8 Fiscal Year 2007 Plans Assess the development of new programs. Evaluate the quality of new programs. Continue increasing our retention rate. Continue assessment of our programs. Continue process of accreditation of the Bachelor of Social work. Start implementation of programs at Judson College. Continue implementation of the Studio Classroom Teaching Methods. Fiscal Year 2007 Challenges The focus on teaching that is fundamental to St. Augustine s mission, while admirable, makes it difficult to accomplish non-instructional projects that require faculty participation. St. Augustine is still not-well known in areas of Chicago that could provide us with students and donors. has a shortage of qualified staff in some key areas. The salaries and benefit packages that St. Augustine is able to offer its employees are well below the average offered by similar institutions, making it difficult to make competitive offers when hiring. To identify partnership opportunities with other institutions, businesses and community-based organizations in ways that can serve the community and enhance St. Augustine s reputation. 8

9 COMMON INSTITUTIONAL INDICATORS Extent to which institutional quality and effectiveness are recognized by graduates through alumni surveys Option 1. If your institution participated in NSSE, please provide the Senior survey results for the following questions for the most recent year: Questions from The College Student Report, NSSE To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas? (Q11) Acquiring job or work-related knowledge and skills Thinking critically and analytically Understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds Developing a personal code of values and ethics Contributing to the welfare of your community How would you evaluate your entire educational experience at this institution? (Q13) If you could start over again, would you go to the same institution you are now attending? (Q14) Mean Score Option 2. If your institution conducts an undergraduate alumni survey with questions similar to the common survey questions listed below or participates in other surveys with similar questions, please provide the survey results for these questions and/or provide a copy of the institution s survey instrument with results noted from the most recent year. Graduate Satisfaction What is your present attitude towards the institution? What is your present attitude towards your degree major? How well did your degree prepare you for the career path you are following? Common Survey Questions Educational Effectiveness How effective were your college experiences in: Helping to better develop your critical thinking ability? Helping to better develop your sense of ethics? Contributing to a better understanding of diversity? Helping you to become a more active citizen? Improving the quality of your life (aside from financial benefits)? 9

10 Pass rates on professional/occupational licensure examinations relative to national averages Pass Rate Information for Selected Exams: Number of Students Tested, Institutional Pass Rate & National Pass Rate # Pass Rate (%) # Pass Rate (%) # Pass Rate (%) Field Examination Students Inst l Nat l Students Inst l Nat l Students Inst l Nat l Law Illinois Bar Exam: First-Time Takers, Summer NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Medicine U.S. Medical Exam, Step 2 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Dentistry National Dental Board Exam, Part II NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Nursing National Council Licensure Exam, RN NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA MISSION-SPECIFIC INDICATORS 10

11 POLICY AREA SIX: Illinois colleges and universities will continually improve productivity, cost-effectiveness, and accountability. Fiscal Year 2006 Accomplishments By hiring qualified and skilled administrators and through the efforts of senior officers, St. Augustine College has made significant progress in ensuring that our financial and academic practices have the integrity necessary to carry on our programs. The business office has engaged in revising and establishing new procedures to contribute towards accountability and cost-effectiveness. The implementation of a new computer system is expected to improve services at all levels at the college. The use of e-campus, a classroom management tool akin to Blackboard, has enabled the Studio Classroom instructors to incorporate different types of activities into their classrooms. The implementation of this Internet-based education support system has enhanced learning and teaching at SAC. Fiscal Year 2007 Plans To establish appropriate mechanisms to reach long-term financial stability such as determining the amount available for deposit into the investment fund, evaluating performance of the endowment/investment fund, and making principal and interest payments on the debt. To implement changes to the College s operating structure To continue progress made in salary adjustments. To continue skills training for new computer system. To continue with Annual Campaign. To continue alumni connections and building a donor pool. Fiscal Year 2007 Challenges To keep the current fiscal balance To strengthen the strategic and academic planning undertaken in recent years. To continue expansion into the English-language media. 11

12 COMMON INSTITUTIONAL INDICATORS Percent of first-time, full-time degree-seeking freshmen who complete their degree within 150 percent of catalog time Source: IPEDS Graduation Rate Survey. [Supporting data is available on the IBHE website.] a) Institutional goal(s) for this indicator: b) Brief interpretation of institutional performance and related implications: The retention rates over the past years show a steady trend. MISSION-SPECIFIC INDICATORS We are working to improve fall-to-fall retention rates for first-time, full time students. This particular mission specific indicator related to persistence of students into their sophomore year is currently being tracked down through the process of strategic plan implementation. Persistence of students into their sophomore year resulted in fifty percent of the 2001 freshman cohort, fifty one percent of the 2002 freshman cohort, fifty two of the 2003 freshman cohort, and 58% of the 2004 freshman cohort. Faculty and staff have been working on stricter admissions enforcement. 12