Statement of Goals for the Self-Study Report
As Notre Dame College grows, the need to develop and articulate its processes becomes more apparent. Currently, more people are involved in creating initiatives and even more faculty and staff are involved in making them a reality. Using the momentum created by preparing for reaccreditation is critical for improving the structures and processes that will move the College towards realizing its vision. The following goals have been identified for this reaccreditation process.

  1. To clarify the profile of Notre Dame College and its uniqueness among peer and competitor schools so that we attract a growing number of students (adults, traditional-aged students, and graduate students) who will benefit most from a Notre Dame College education.

The College community has spent significant time gathering evidence and developing responses to assure that it meets the accreditation criteria. By participating in discussions and contributing to the content of the text, the Notre Dame College community has learned much about the College that, as individuals, they had not realized heretofore. It was common to hear, “I didn’t know that!” as a response to learning about a piece of supporting evidence.

By clearly describing the College, its programs and services, the students applying for admission will accurately determine if the College matches their needs and goals.

With this knowledge in hand, it is now possible to create the positioning language of the College that has remained elusive. This language will assist the College in improving its marketing material. By clearly describing the College, its programs and services, the students applying for admission will accurately determine if the College matches their needs and goals.

  1. To construct a practical, on-going education assessment process that truly affects improved learning by energizing wise changes as we grow.

We know more about the College so we can better conceptualize what our students should experience as a Notre Dame education. Since we can articulate these outcomes we can continue to discover ways to assess the Notre Dame College experience. When successful, faculty and students will understand the purpose of a class, a program, and the institution itself.

  1. To enhance and expand faculty governance structures and staff management structures for efficient direction of institutional growth. As a small institution, Notre Dame College has functioned informally.

As it grows it becomes necessary to install formal structures. The College should identify those structures that would make it more effective such as operations manuals, procedure protocols, templates, etc.

  1. To determine evaluation processes that are fair, effective, and helpful to a growing body of faculty and staff.

The faculty and staff of the College are dedicated to and energized by its growth and well being. As the Self-Study Report, the Team visit, and its review of the College are reflected upon, the College community will learn what is expected from its members. This information may inform improved performance discussions and measures.

Assessment of Self-Study Goals
Creation and use of positioning language: This would be a document that describes the rationale or purpose for all the major functions of the College.

Retention remains high: As the College describes its programs and services to potential students, they enroll because their needs match what the College offers. They remain because the match grows stronger.

A plan to improve assessment is created by faculty. It includes the structure, involvement by faculty members in the process, and allocation of reasonable resources.

A plan to document and monitor operations that would make the College more effective, such as operations manuals, procedure protocols, templates, etc.

Improved performance measures for the College, its departments, and personnel.

<< Previous | Next - Chapter 2 >>