It Takes an Institution to Liberally Educate Dr. Christine Helfrich, AVP for Teaching and Learning Jeanni Winston-Muir Director of Student Life Susan Trost Professor of Computer and Information Sciences

Frederick Community Colleges Vision Student Learning First FCC is a premier Learning College, a student-centered system of relationships that facilitates, values, and measures learning.

A Little More About FCC Our Students Approximately 5,000 degree seeking students 19.4% students of color 61% female / 39% male Notable Trends 2 nd largest city in Maryland Largest growing student population are HS graduates

Our Evolution: A Journey Toward Diverse Thinking Pre-1996 – Very homogeneous – Focus on academic retention – Success 100; 1st orientation course – Middle States Review 2000 – present – Diversity and learning; A defining period

Student Learning Evolution Student Learning Evolution Three Areas of Development Learn Grow Change Organizational (college knowledge) Development Personal Development Academic Development YOU Introduction To College Career Development Study Skills

The Old Academy Measured in Credit Hours Focuses on College Requirements Collection of Courses Summative Disengaging Diversity defined by color and numbers Islands of Excellence The Learning College Measured by Learning Focuses on Self-Awareness and Intentional Learning Integrated, Cross-Curricular, Pragmatic Formative Engaging, Empowering Diversity defined by concepts, consciousness, and community Learning College in Action Our Evolution in Thinking

Evidence of a Learning College Traditional boundaries blur Everyone is a partner in learning Shift toward student centered system of relationships New ways of working together and collaboration

Where We Are Now ALL of us create a community of learners We share responsibility for the learning environment A shift toward self-directed learning Integrated themes Growing domain of relevant, authentic, intentional learning

Where We Are Now We want the same for our students as we do for ourselves Lifelong learning is a guiding principle – diversity is fundamental to the journey – social issues and our impact on society provide a context

The Chain Effect for Students A large array of clubs Significant gains in student participation in on and off campus events Evidence of learning outside the classroom More engaged learners that are respected for their contributions to self-governance Students viewed as partners in learning Student centeredness is authentic How they are assessed is changing

The Chain Effect for Faculty Re-energized faculty to own more than the classroom Blurring of disciplines Faculty learning side-by-side with students Improved climate for faculty development – Broader reach in terms of learning new things

The Chain Effect for FCC Improved institutional connectivity Thematic approach to learning Gen Ed renewal underway Employee development reshaped

New Employee Development Model Learn Grow Change Organizational (college knowledge) Development Personal Development Professional Development

Middle States Review, March 2006 …a high quality, reflective institution that is focused on doing the very best for students. we leave, as colleagues, most impressed with your untiring commitment to providing the highest quality learning environment possible for the students you serve.

The Chain Effect for our Community Positive image within the community at large Synergy between FCC and community – Maryland Ensemble Theatre – Local government – Arts community – Cultural community Stronger partnerships with other institutions – Frederick County Public Schools – Our main transfer institutions We are fostering a climate to produce more civically engaged members of the community

In Sum Real, liberated learning….. – Takes place inside and outside the boundaries of the classroom – Invites discourse – Encourages new ways of thinking and living – Takes everyone out of their comfort zones – Challenges us to keep the discourse on diversity operating at all levels simultaneously (Edgar F. Beckham)

Who makes it happen…. Students Diversity Office Courses Advising FCC Leadership Faculty & Staff Our Community Honors College Student Life

Grand Finale: Defining Moments Enduring Themes Reflective of our Values – Immigration Activities: Ellis Island, DNA Project, Immigration Panel, First Year Seminar National Issues Forum Great Decisions Advocacy Day Early College Academy TV Studio Events Constitution Day Frederick Reads Service Learning Lunch Bunches: ESL Panels, Thematic Approaches to Learning, Book Talks, Traditions of Life and Death (Halloween) Latino Festival Honor Student Dialogues Journalism Projects

Grand Finale: Defining Moments Its all about the students; reflection 18 months later… – Safa Hamidulla – Brent Paugh – Nick Bartlinski

How can we do better?