Motlow State Community College
Action Plan & Outcome Assessment Report for Institutional Effectiveness
Planning Year: July 1, 2015– June 30, 2016
Assessing Year: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015
Unit: Smyrna Center
Related Strategic Goal: (Access)
2.2 Increase the number of students who complete associate degrees or certificates.
Action Plan #: SMST-01
Action Plan Title: Alternative Class Formats
Desired Outcome: The Smyrna Center will increase the number of student enrollments in alternative
class formats (i.e., Hybrid, Accelerated, Online) at an annual rate of 30%.
Description of Action Plan and Related Activities: Recent numbers indicate 73% of all college students
are considered nontraditional, with women making up the majority. As these adult learners (defined as
age 25 or older) pursue their educational goals, frequently they also manage a variety of additional roles
and responsibilities in regard to employment, childcare and/or caring for aging family members.
Traditional age students also appear to be juggling multiple tasks. A 2013 survey by Citigroup found
nearly 80% of students work a minimum of 19 hours while in school. As a result, successfully pursuing
and completing a degree can pose a challenge for many higher education students.
Additionally, as states adopt funding formula measures tied directly to student success and retention,
higher education institutions increasingly must rely on the effectiveness of academic and student
service programs. Within the state of Tennessee, Governor Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative strives to
raise the percentage of Tennesseans possessing a college degree or certificate to 55 by the year 2025.
Starting with the class of 2015, high school seniors attending either a community college or college
applied technology receive their first two years essentially free under Tennessee Promise.
In addressing the needs and frequent time constraints of adult learners (and students in general),
academic courses should be offered in a variety of formats in order to provide students the opportunity
to attend classes as well as continue to fulfill their other roles and responsibilities. Pursuant to this
effort of increasing student success and course completion the Smyrna Center will offer, as discipline
appropriate, academic courses in Hybrid, ITV, Accelerated, Online, and Independent study format.
Enrollment numbers in these courses will be collected and reviewed each semester by the Smyrna
Center staff and director in order to determine progress toward this goal and/or if modifications need to
be made.
Team Members: Smyrna Center Staff
Timeline: June 30, 2016
Est. Cost: $ 0
Budgeted: Included in current budget
Evidence of Success: Records obtained from the BANNER and ARGOS database systems will indicate a
30% student enrollment increase in Hybrid, ITV, Accelerated, Online, and Independent Study courses
within the specified time frame.
Complete the following when assessing a plan
Current Status: Ahead of Schedule
Describe Progress:
Fall 2014-Spring 2015:
This goal was met primarily due to the increase of ITV and Online academic course options at the
Smyrna Center.
Fall 2013/Spring 2014:
Hybrid
277
Independent Study
19
Two-Way Video (ITV) 230
Online
428
Total:
954
Fall 2014/Spring 2015:
Hybrid
327
Independent Study
16
Two-Way Video (ITV) 268
Online
670
Total:
1281
Total Percentage Increase for Assessment Year: 34.28%
Fall 2013-Spring 2014:
This goal was not met. In order to stay current with Tennessee Board of Regents recommendations,
Motlow College opted to discontinue the “Weekend Warrior” program, which impacted alternative class
enrollment at the Smyrna Center. Changes in enrollment are outlined below:
Fall 2012/Spring 2013:
Hybrid
283
Independent Study
22
Two-Way Video (ITV) 156
Online
403
Total:
864
Fall 2013/Spring 2014:
Hybrid
277
Independent Study
19
Two-Way Video (ITV) 230
Online
428
Total:
954
Total Percentage Increase For Assessment Year: 10.41%
Fall 2012-Spring 2013:
This goal was met. Currently, we are ahead of schedule with the following alternative class formats
reporting an increase in student enrollment:
Hybrid Courses864% increase in student enrollment
Online55% increase in student enrollment
Two areas did, however, show a decline but it was not large enough to impact the overall action plan
progress:
Independent Study87% decrease in student enrollment
Two-Way Video and Audio ( ITV)- 6% decrease in student enrollment
Describe Needed Changes:
Fall 2014-Spring 2015:
After academic administrative review, the decision was made to reinstate the “Weekend Warrior”
program at the Smyrna campus beginning fall 2015. The Adult College Express Program (ACE) which
began fall 2014 has been met with minimal interest by students, potentially due to the wide availability
of other course options and the additional application provision required of all students.
Fall 2013-Spring 2014:
Addressing the academic needs of our non-traditional students, the Smyrna Center will continue to offer
courses in a variety of formats. The Adult College Express (ACE) program was introduced at Smyrna in
the fall and has the potential for growth in this geographic area. Additionally, it is anticipated our online
course enrollment will continue to grow as new courses are developed.
Fall 2012-Spring 2013:
It is anticipated student enrollment in alternative class format courses will continue to increase over the
next year. As the academic schedule is developed, projected student enrollment increases will be taken
into consideration and additional course sections added as needed.
List of Supporting Documentation: Argos Produced Student Enrollment by Campus and Course Format
Date Last Updated: 7/01/2015