QEP

Quality Enhancement Plan: KoalaPASS

Columbia College is excited to announce our Quality Enhancement Plan called KoalaPASS. KoalaPASS will significantly change how our new Day College students are advised by doubling the advisors and adding more focused support for the transition to Columbia College.

A Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP for short, is a 5-year plan to improve some aspect of student outcomes. It represents a significant commitment by the College in both time and money. The process for KoalaPASS started in mid-2020, and the plan was submitted to SACSCOC for approval in February of 2022. The final version will be published in May of 2022 for implementation during the summer for new Day College students who start in August of 2022.

QEP Program Goals

• To institutionalize a system of holistic advising dedicated to student success. \
• To educate and enable students about the process of self-advocacy and individual responsibility for their success in higher education.

QEP Learning Outcomes

• Students will achieve measurable progress toward timely completion of academic goals.
• Students will demonstrate an awareness of academic resources and student support services.
• Students will regularly communicate with advisors to achieve academic success.

FAQs

 

• How was the QEP Topic Selected?
  • The QEP process began in summer 2020 in the Strategic Planning Committee, which selected a broad topic of “Streamlining and Integrating the Student Experience for Holistic Development.” A 13-person Steering Committee of faculty, staff, and students met throughout 2021 and early 2022 to research student needs, best practices in advising, and strategies related to the broad topic. Through surveys and focus groups, the Steering Committee refined the topic to its final version.
• When does KoalaPASS start?
  • It already has! There is a pilot test in Spring 2022.
• Which students are involved?
  • All new Day College students who enroll for Fall 2022 and after will be part of the QEP, regardless of the number of credit hours upon first enrolling.
• I am a new Day College student. How are my advisors assigned?
  • Students who declare a major upon enrolling will be assigned a faculty member in their major. Students who have not declared a major upon enrolling will be assigned a member of the faculty based on the total advising load for each faculty member. All students will be assigned to a staff advisor based on the alphabet.
• What happens with my advisor if I enroll without a major and then declare one?
  • You will keep the same staff advisor for at least one year. You will be assigned a faculty advisor in your major who will replace your initial faculty advisor.
• How will I know which advisor to contact when I have a question?
  • While either advisor can you help you, we have created a table of common questions and needs indicating which advisor is your first point of contact. 
• What if I want to change advisors?
  • We always want the student to have the best experience at Columbia College. If you would like to talk about changing advisors, please contact Sharon Murphy at 803-786-3722 or smurphy@columbiasc.edu.
• What if sometime after my first year, I want to talk to my staff advisor?
  • Great! One goal of KoalaPASS is to help you build stronger relationships across campus to help you through your path to graduation. Your former advisors are always willing to talk, so feel free to call, email, or stop by anytime.