2.10  

The institution provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission that promote student learning and enhance the development of its students. (Student Support Services)

RATIONALE FOR COMPLIANCE JUDGMENT

The mission of Nashville State Technical Community College (NSCC) is to provide comprehensive educational programs and partnerships, exemplary services, an accessible, progressive learning environment, and responsible leadership to improve the quality of life for the communities it serves.

In support of this mission, the college provides support programs, services, and activities that promote student learning and enhance the development of its students.  The following is a listing of programs and services which support student learning.

Admissions and Recruiting

NSCC Admissions and Recruiting staff support student learning by providing outreach to all students.  Recruiting staff provide outreach to high schools, participate in college fairs, work with program degree staff to tailor outreach for their respective programs, and meet with individual students to welcome and orient them to the campus.  Staff also organize and conduct New Student Orientation, a voluntary program designed to initiate students to college life  Students register for New Student Orientation on the college website [1].  Admissions staff provide assistance to students by processing applications and documentation associated with enrolling at the college.  The college application may be completed online [2].

Financial Aid

The financial aid office supports student learning by administering federal, state, and private grants, scholarships and loans.  They work directly with students to maximize student resources available for their college tuition and costs.  Computer workstations are available inside the financial aid office to allow staff to assist students with completing the financial aid process [3].

Registration

The registration office supports student learning by managing registration, student records, grades, graduation audits, and transcript processing.  Students register online using the POWER system [4], although NSCC will shift to Banner effective fall 2007 as part of a system-wide project.  The registration office is also responsible for providing information regarding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) [5].

Students With Disabilities

The office of students with disabilities supports student learning by providing accommodations to students with disabilities, and working with faculty and staff to educate the campus community on issues associated with disabilities.  Student accommodations are designed on an individual student basis, but often include sign language interpreters, readers, note-takers, adaptive technology, and extended or distraction-free test taking [6].

Veteran’s Services

Veterans' services staff supports student learning by managing the processes associated with Veteran’s college benefits [7].

Testing

Testing center staff support student learning by offering the students ACT Compass, ACT Residual, and CLEP.  The staff also provide testing for students enrolled in video, online, and Regents Online Degree Programs (RODP) [8].  Testing services are available at each of the three off-campus centers.

The Learning Center

The Learning Center staff support student learning by offering free, drop-in academic assistance with coursework.  Services also include access to computers for research, email, tutorials in course content, and software applications used in classes.  Tutors are available to help in many subjects, especially math and writing [9].

Academic Advising

NSCC utilizes an advising model which is faculty-based.  Students are assigned an advisor to assist them with selection of classes and managing their college coursework.  An interactive advising program is also available on the web for use by students and potential students [10].

Career Exploration

Career advising assistance is available to students and potential students.  A master’s level counselor works individually with students to assist in selecting career direction.   The career instrument most often used is the Kuder Career Planning System [11].

Career Employment Center

Staff in the Career Employment Center (CEC) support student learning by assisting students, graduates, and alumni with employment issues.  The center posts available employment positions and assists with preparation of resumes and other employment-related documents.  The Center also assists students with internship and co-op positions [12].  Center staff organize an on-campus job fair [13], and are part of the community job fair held each spring [14] [15]. 

Student Life

Student Life staff support student learning by providing students with opportunities in honor, social, and professional clubs.  Student Life Council, whose members include Student Government Association students and representatives from each of the student life organizations, reviews and recommends student life events and budget.  Members of Student Life Council receive scholarship awards for participating in the Council.

Student life organizations for the academic year 2006-2007 include the Black Student Organization, Campus Crusade for Christ, Early Childhood Education Club, International Student Association, Kappa Beta Delta, Debate Club, Occupational Therapy Club, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Students for the Environment, Tennessee Beta Chapter of Tau Alpha Pi, Tennessee College Democrats, and Toastmasters International [16].