TASK FORCE FINDINGS, FINAL REPORT: PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTING PROGRAM REVIEW Spring 2016 HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA

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1 TASK FORCE FINDINGS, FINAL REPORT: PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTING PROGRAM REVIEW Spring 2016 ================================================================== HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA TASK FORCE MEMBERS Chair, Dr. Mark Sandag, Faculty/Program Manager, HCC Ms. Maridru Clark, Director of Information Management & Reporting, HCC Ms. Melissa Gonzalez-Lam, Mathematics Faculty, HCC Ms. Regina Yaquinto, Program Manager & HCC-FT Staff Ms. Ingrid Hooglander, Esq., Attorney and Managing Partner of Brandon Legal Group Mr. Luke Mattson, Esq., Attorney and Paralegal Advisory Committee member Ms. Amanda Rae Ramos, Student, President of the Student Paralegal Association, and Pending Graduate of the Paralegal Program, HCC

2 2 CONTENTS ================================================================== I. Introduction 03 II. Description of Unit 04 III. Unit Planning Objectives 05 IV. Task Force Findings A. Strengths of Unit 07 B. Weaknesses of Unit 10 C. Recommendations for Improvement 11 V. Distribution List 12 VI. List of Appendices 12 Appendix A: Hillsborough Community College Goals and Strategic Initiatives for Appendix B: Paralegal Strategic Planning Reports for Appendix C: Paralegal Strategic Planning Reports for Appendix D: HCC College Query from Information Management & Reporting on Completion Rates 34 Appendix E: Workforce Programs Enrollment Demographics for Appendix F: 2014 Program Viability Matrix and Instructional Area Cost Analysis Report 40 Appendix G: HCC College Query from Information Management & Reporting on Sections Offered 43 Appendix H: H.C.C. Catalogue of Courses for the H.C.C. Paralegal Program 49 Appendix I: N.A.L.A. CLA testing information from N.A.L.A. website 53 Appendix J: 2013 Local Area Legal Assisting Tuition Costs Study 55 Appendix K: 2013 Local Area Program Enrollment & Graduation Chart 57 Appendix L: H.C.C. Unduplicated Headcount Enrollment Report 59 Appendix M: Survey Monkey Student Survey results 64 Appendix N: Copy of current program brochure 68

3 3 INTRODUCTION ================================================================== Hillsborough Community College engages in a review of academic, academic support, and administrative areas for the following purposes: 1. To complement the institution s strategic planning process requiring the internal development of unit plans with an external perspective in the review of those plans and the quality of programs and services. 2. To respond to intrinsic motivations for continuous improvement with a focus on the enhancement of institutional effectiveness and efficiency; student learning outcomes; and client satisfaction. 3. To respond to state mandates and accreditation requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools calling for a systematic review of all programs and services. The review is conducted by a Task Force composed primarily of individuals outside the unit under review. The chair is a full time employee of the unit under review. The charge to the Task Force is to identify strengths and weaknesses of the unit as guided by empirical evidence. From the list of strengths and weaknesses, the Task Force is to develop recommendations for improvement to capitalize on strengths and redress weaknesses. The work of the Task Force is to be completed within a fall or spring semester culminating in a final report. For academic areas, a judgment should also be rendered regarding the continued viability of the program in context of service area demand, enrollment, and critical workforce needs. Subsequently, two brief follow-up reports are to be drafted. The first follow-up report is due in the following semester. The second is due one year later at the conclusion of the semester in which the original review was conducted. Each consists of a listing of the final recommendations with a few statements indicating the status of their achievement. Recommendations not achieved within a year may become unit planning objectives to ensure a continued focus on their attainment. Objectives that stem from review recommendations should be indicated as such in the Strategic Planning System of the College.

4 4 DESCRIPTION OF UNIT ================================================================== The Paralegal/Legal Assisting Program prepares students for a paraprofessional career as a paralegal/legal assistant in various private and public legal settings. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, paralegals may conduct research, prepare legal documents and exhibits for trials, analyze information, assist in office management, and a variety of other activities unique to the legal profession. Graduates of the program are prepared to sit for national certification exams offered by various national paralegal/legal assisting organizations.

5 5 UNIT PLANNING OBJECTIVES ================================================================== objectives for the Paralegal Program were as follows (See Appendix B): 1. A temporary full time instructor was hired for which provided 2 full time positions within the program for the academic year of Beginning in Fall 2014, the program should have 2 full time permanent faculty positions to meet the needs of the growing number of students within the program. Status of Objective: As of Fall 2014 and continuing to the present, two permanent full time tenure track instructors were hired, and both instructors continue to work towards tenure and maintain the tenure track position thereby satisfying that objective. 2. To develop an improved webpage for the program, with assistance from the college s web manager, and make it more accurate to those within and outside the college while utilizing internet search engines. Status of Objective: As of Spring 2016, the new program manager has scheduled time over Summer of 2016 to meet with Angela Walters in Marketing to re-design the program webpage, so this objective is still in progress objectives for the Paralegal Program are as follows (See Appendix C): 1. Beginning no later than Fall 2017, the program intends to offer the 21 credit Advanced Technical Certificate curriculum completely online to allow distance learning completion of the program. Status of Objective: As of Spring 2016, there are still a few remaining A.T.C. program courses which must be created as distance learning online courses, including Tort Law, Research & Writing 1, and Research & Writing 2. Creation of those online courses is in progress. 2. The program will expand the elective offerings based on student interest by the end of Spring Status of Objective: Additional elective courses will be added to meet student interest by Spring 2018, including courses in Immigration Law, Sports & Entertainment Law, Taxation, and E-Practice.

6 6 3. To develop an improved webpage for the program, with assistance from the college s web manager, and make it more accurate to those within and outside the college while utilizing internet search engines. Status of Objective: As of Spring 2016, the new program manager has scheduled time over Summer of 2016 to meet with Angela Walters in Marketing to re-design the program webpage, so this objective is still in progress.

7 7 STRENGTHS OF THE UNIT ================================================================== PARALEGAL PROGRAM: 1. The Paralegal Program has the third highest completion rate from (166 total) of all of the H.C.C. A.S. programs (only Nursing and Criminal Justice have more). Source: HCC College Query from Information Management & Reporting on Completion Rates; See Appendix D 2. The Paralegal Program s Student Paralegal Association (S.P.A.) shows strong PLA program student involvement and excellent performance in the Ybor Student Government Association. The Student Paralegal Association has won an S.G.A. Award in both and Source: Task Force chairman knowledge and performance as the S.P.A. Advisor 3. In fulfillment of College Goal #4 to Foster Cultural Inclusion involving gender diversity (See Appendix A, pg. 16), the student profile for the PLA program in shows gender diversity, in that we have a student breakdown of 82.5% in female population, 17.5% in male population. Source: Workforce Programs Demographics for Enrollment (See Appendix E, pg. 38) 4. In fulfillment of College Goal #4 to Foster Cultural Inclusion regarding diversity involving race (See Appendix A, pg. 16), the student enrollment racial/ethnic profile shows racial diversity and is as follows: 25.3% African American, 1.2% Asian, 22.2% Hispanic, 0.6 Native American, and 50.6% White. Source: Workforce Programs Demographics for Enrollment (See Appendix E, p. 39) 5. In fulfillment of College Goal #4 to Foster Cultural Inclusion involving gender and racial diversity (See Appendix A, pg. 16), as it pertains to faculty, 2 out of 7 instructors are minority women business owners in the community (i.e. 29%). Source: Task Force Members knowledge of the program. 6. The Paralegal Program is in the top 5 H.C.C. programs in which revenue exceeds cost with a 2.12 revenue to expenditures ratio. Source: 2014 Program Viability Matrix and Instructional Area Cost Analysis Report; See Exhibit F, pg.41)

8 8 7. The Paralegal Program brought in over $390, of annual revenue in Source: 2014 Program Viability Matrix and Instructional Area Cost Analysis Report; See Exhibit F, pg In fulfillment of College Goal #2 involving Workforce Development (See Appendix A, pg. 12), the Paralegal Program has increased its course section offerings, both online and in person, each semester from the summer of 2014 through the Spring of 2016 to provide program offerings responsive to community and professional needs. Source: HCC College Query from Information Management & Reporting on Sections Offered ; See Appendix G 9. In fulfillment of College Goal #2 involving Workforce Development (See Appendix A, pg.12), the Paralegal Program offers course sections that cover materials covered on the national Certified Legal Assistant certification test offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (N.A.L.A.) to provide program offerings responsive to community and professional needs. Source: H.C.C. Catalogue of Courses for the H.C.C. Paralegal Program (See Appendix H) and N.A.L.A. CLA testing information from N.A.L.A. website (See Appendix I) 10. The Paralegal Program is the lowest in overall program cost in the local area (at approximately $1,931.00) based on 2013 tuition costs. Source: 2013 Legal Assisting Tuition Costs Study; See Appendix J 11. Based upon a comparison of local area enrollment in Paralegal Programs in 2013, the H.C.C. Paralegal Program was second in the area for program enrollment (202 students). Source: 2013 Local Enrollment & Graduates from Legal Assisting Programs Report; See Appendix K 12. Based upon a comparison of local area graduates in Paralegal Programs in 2013, the H.C.C. Paralegal Program was second in the area for program graduates (39). Source: 2013 Local Enrollment & Graduates from Legal Assisting Programs Report; See Appendix K 13. The Paralegal Program has a full mock courtroom for use with program courses on the Ybor campus in the Public Service Technology Building, room 320 which furthers College Goal #2 involving Workforce Development (See Appendix A, pg.12). Source: Task Force Members knowledge of the program

9 9 14. The Paralegal Program continues to have an active Paralegal Advisory Committee comprised of local judges, attorneys, paralegals, and program instructors (in fulfillment of College Goal #2 - See Appendix A, pg. 15). Source: Task Force Members knowledge of the program 15. The Paralegal Program continues to have active student representation in the Paralegal Advisory Committee (in fulfillment of College Goal #2 -See Appendix A, pg. 15). Source: Task Force Members knowledge of the program. 16. A strength of the Paralegal Program is its Program Manager, along with the support of the administration and a group of dedicated, hardworking adjunct instructors (in fulfillment of College Goal #1 See Appendix A, pg. 15). Source: Task Force Members knowledge of the program.

10 10 WEAKNESSES OF THE UNIT ================================================================== PARALEGAL PROGRAM 1. The Paralegal Program saw a downward trend in enrollment in from (6.6% decrease). Source: H.C.C. Unduplicated Headcount Enrollment Report, See Appendix L, pg The Paralegal Program only has a limited number of elective courses, and students would like additional electives in different areas of the law. Source: Survey Monkey Student Survey results, See Appendix M 3. The Paralegal Program s HCC webpage needs to be revamped and offer more detailed information regarding the program s courses, course descriptions, degrees and certificates offered, and scheduling of courses. This would better assist students in planning their course of study. Source: Task Force Members knowledge of the program 4. The Paralegal Program s brochure needs to be upgraded in appearance. It should be made more colorful and updated with program specific information that would attract the attention of the reader and potential student. Source: Copy of current program brochure; See Appendix N 5. The Paralegal Program needs more involvement with national paralegal associations such as N.A.L.A. and A.A.f.P.E. (American Association for Paralegal Education).. Source: Task Force Members knowledge of the program 6. The Paralegal Program currently does not offer all of the courses required to complete the Advanced Technical Certificate online, therefore students must attend in person classes to complete the A.T.C. program. Source: : H.C.C. Catalogue of Courses for the H.C.C. Paralegal Program (See Appendix H) and Task Force Members knowledge of the program 7. The Paralegal Program does not offer the students the ability to complete course requirements in an 8 week format to allow two required courses to be completed in a 16 week semester Source: : H.C.C. Catalogue of Courses for the H.C.C. Paralegal Program (See Appendix H) and Task Force Members knowledge of the program

11 11 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT ================================================================== PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTING PROGRAM 1. It is recommended that marketing efforts to outside legal entities improve by promoting the program with local county Bar Associations, sending letters and program brochures to area law firms, hosting job fairs targeted for the legal profession, and providing other opportunities for program exposure. {In response to Weakness #1} 2. It is recommended that the Paralegal Program add several D.O.E. approved electives, including Immigration Law, Sports & Entertainment Law, Taxation, and E-Practice.{In response to Weakness #2} 3. It is recommended that the program manager seek assistance from the college s web manager to strategize how to improve the program s webpage and make it more accurate to those within and outside the college while utilizing Internet search engines, as Google, Yahoo, etc.{in response to Weakness #3} 4. It is recommended that the Paralegal Program develop a more current and an updated brochure that will provide program information in a better format. {In response to Weakness #4} 5. It is recommended that the Paralegal Program commence hosting events in partnership with national legal assistant organizations like N.A.L.A. and A.A.f.P.E. {In response to Weakness #5} 6. It is recommended that the Paralegal Program continues to develop new online and distance learning courses until all A.T.C. program classes have been offered and created for online delivery to students. The creation of these online courses will allow completion of the A.T.C. program solely online if desired. {In response to Weakness #6} 7. It is recommended that the Paralegal Program consider offering more 8 week format courses to allow 2 program courses to be completed in a 16 week timeframe. {In response to Weakness #7}

12 12 DISTRIBUTION LIST OF THE FINAL REPORT ================================================================== The final report and all follow-ups will be distributed by the chair to the President s Cabinet, appropriate deans and/or directors, unit head, unit members, task force members, and all campus libraries. It will be posted to Public Folders and disseminated electronically to the HCC community. APPENDICES ================================================================== Appendix A: Hillsborough Community College Goals and Strategic Initiatives for Appendix B: Paralegal Strategic Planning Reports for Appendix C: Paralegal Strategic Planning Reports for Appendix D: HCC College Query from Information Management & Reporting on Completion Rates 34 Appendix E: Workforce Programs Enrollment Demographics for Appendix F: 2014 Program Viability Matrix and Instructional Area Cost Analysis Report 40 Appendix G: HCC College Query from Information Management & Reporting on Sections Offered 43 Appendix H: H.C.C. Catalogue of Courses for the H.C.C. Paralegal Program 49 Appendix I: N.A.L.A. CLA testing information from N.A.L.A. website 53 Appendix J: 2013 Local Area Legal Assisting Tuition Costs Study 55 Appendix K: 2013 Local Area Program Enrollment & Graduation Chart 57 Appendix L: H.C.C. Unduplicated Headcount Enrollment Report 59 Appendix M: Survey Monkey Student Survey results 64 Appendix N: Copy of current program brochure 68

13 APPENDIX A 13

14 14

15 15

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17 APPENDIX B 17

18 18

19 19

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23 23

24 24

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26 APPENDIX C 26

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34 APPENDIX D 34

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37 APPENDIX E 37

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40 APPENDIX F 40

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43 APPENDIX G 43

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49 APPENDIX H 49

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53 APPENDIX I 53

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55 APPENDIX J 55

56 Tuition Cost Legal Assisting Programs Tampa Bay Area Tuition $18,468 $14,784 $15,156 $1,931 $2,420 HCC SPC Keiser U. Fortis U. Everest U. (B.A.) Tuition $1,931 $2,420 $14,784 $18,468 $15,156

57 APPENDIX K 57

58 Enrollment & Grads Area Legal Assisting Programs State College of Florida - Manatee Pasco-Hernando State College St. Petersburg College (Combined) Hillsborough Community College Hillsborough St. Petersburg College Pasco-Hernando State State College of Community College (Combined) College Florida - Manatee Enrollment Graduates

59 APPENDIX L 59

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64 APPENDIX M 64

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68 APPENDIX N 68

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