Academic Affairs

Academic Affairs fosters the professional and intellectual growth of students and faculty by offering contemporary curricula that are taught by qualified faculty comprised of lifelong learners who provide a supportive environment that facilitates the achievement of Program Learning Outcomes, Institutional Learning Outcomes, and supports the capacity for lifelong learning. In order to validate this mission, Rhodes State College has implemented a process for measuring student academic achievement.

Academic Affairs uses an assessment process for measuring student academic achievement; this assessment process is used to identify opportunities for (1) improving teaching and learning, (2) aiding student retention and (3) verifying the job preparedness of graduates. The College systematically assesses student learning outcomes in order to improve learning and instruction. Program assessment of learning assures students, employers, and the community that Rhodes State College graduates possess the skills needed to perform competently in the workplace. Assessment of Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) affirms that graduates possess the needed skills and abilities to act as life-long learners and quality contributors to their communities.

Rhodes State College has six Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs), which are also the General Education Outcomes for academic programs, that are assessed at the course, program and institutional levels. The ILOs are: (1) Civic, Professional, and Ethical Responsibility (CPER); (2) Cultural and Diversity Awareness (CDA); (3) Critical Thinking (CT); (4) Effective Communication (EC); (5) Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning (QSR); and (6) Technological Proficiency (TP). Our ability to affect growth is realized only through a systematic, and on-going process of collecting, assessing and continuously improving teaching and learning.

Institutional Learning Outcomes

Civic, Professional, and Ethical Responsibility

Graduates will: 

• Demonstrate professional skills and participate in activities that are necessary for success in one’s career or academic discipline.
• Recognize civic and ethical responsibilities associated with the rights and expectations as citizens in a democratic society.

Cultural and Diversity Awareness

Graduates will:

• Understand and integrate knowledge of cultural worldviews, reflect attitudes of openness and curiosity, and illustrate empathy and understanding of own and other cultures.
• Exercise awareness of the interdependence of diversity factors (i.e. culture, history, sexual orientation, psychological functioning, education, economics, environment, language, politics, age, gender, physical challenges, class, religion, etc.).

Critical Thinking

Graduates will demonstrate ability to interpret meaning in decision-making and apply information to engage in innovative problem-solving strategies.

Effective Communication

Graduates will apply knowledge of communication patterns and effectively interpret, use, and adapt various contexts or presentation methods to appropriate audiences.

Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning

Graduates will understand and appropriately apply mathematics and scientific principles and methods.

Technological Proficiency

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to utilize knowledge and skills to effectively incorporate technology into one’s career or academic discipline.