MCC Daily Tribune

Curriculum Office Transition Update

Some of you are likely aware that just a few days before the newly-hired Dean of Curriculum and Program Development was due to report to campus in mid-August, she rescinded her acceptance.

In light of the fact that this is the second search in a row for a Dean of Curriculum that did not ultimately result in a hire, we are taking a pause to review the roles, duties, and responsibilities in this office. There are a number of processes that relate to curriculum, accreditation, and applied learning that might be better served if they connected more directly to that office. In addition, we want to continue to support the strong connection and engagement of faculty in the development, implementation and maintenance of the curriculum, as well as the authentic and meaningful assessment of student learning.

To assist in this review, we will be working with an outside consultant, Julia E. Peacock, who will meet with stakeholders across the campuses to help us look at our current practices and recommend how best we can move forward. Julie is a retired Chief Academic Officer with expertise in community college curriculum development and process, programmatic and institutional accreditation, and assessment of student learning. I know her from when we previously worked at the same institution, and she has most recently been serving as a consultant in a similar capacity at Mohawk Valley Community College. The Curriculum Office and I worked together to develop a list of stakeholders to meet directly with the Julie as soon as mid-September. I met with Faculty Senate President Amanda Colosimo, and she will ensure that there is a mechanism for other members of the campus community to also provide input through a member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. I also met with Anne Flatley and she is supportive of engaging SCAA in this dialogue and process.

While we complete this review process during the fall semester, the Curriculum Office will continue to function as it did in the spring under the supervision of Associate VP Kimberley Collins. In his new role as Associate Director, Michael Heel will continue to be the primary contact for curriculum proposals and Faculty Senate-related work during this time. Michael will report to Andy Freeman who, in turn, will report directly to AVP Kimberley Collins. Additionally, Michael will meet periodically with me to maintain an open line of communication about General Education implementation and other curricular matters. The role of Middle States Accreditation Liaison Officer will remain with Dr. Terry Keys during this time. Professor Lori Judd has agreed to take on expanded responsibilities this fall in her role as Curriculum Special Projects Professor. We recognize that this unexpectedly prolonged transition has meant that some non-essential tasks and projects have been deferred, and we appreciate your patience while we work to arrive at a stable ongoing structure.

I particularly want to acknowledge the amount of work the Curriculum committee reviewed/processed in the spring to support the General Education implementation. Finally, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the diligence and dedication of Michael Heel, Andy Freeman, and everyone who has assured that the critical functions of the Curriculum and Program Assessment office have continued.

Andrea Wade
Academic Services
09/06/2017