Augusta University’s first Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) has been submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on-site review committee in anticipation of the scheduled site visit March 22-24.
The QEP, titled Learning by Doing: Discover, Engage, Reflect, Lead, is the culmination of years of effort from faculty, students, staff and community members. A required component of the accreditation process, the QEP is the institution’s proposal to enhance student learning in a specific, measurable way.
Learning by Doing will integrate experiential learning into our educational programs and will offer a Leadership Certificate for undergraduates. Students can earn the embedded certificate by taking a newly established leadership course and QEP-designated courses within their majors, then completing a hands-on capstone project involving undergraduate research or scholarship, internship, or study away. The Leadership Certificate will not only become a part of their official transcript, but it will also arm them with vital skills and experiences to prepare them for their professions or graduate school.
Faculty will be engaged in Learning by Doing through development opportunities, and resources will be available to support them in implementing new and innovative teaching techniques in their courses. A Learning by Doing Curriculum & Assessment Committee will be composed of faculty to assist the new director of experiential learning with using the results of student learning assessment to improve the program.
Dr. Deborah Richardson, director of faculty development and teaching excellence, will serve as interim director of experiential learning and chair the search committee seeking a permanent director of experiential learning to implement the plan.
Continue to check Jagwire for the latest information regarding the QEP and the upcoming SACSCOC site visit.