Author : Susan Cadavid Yeager
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 294 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (13 download)
Book Synopsis TheCalifornia Community College Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program by : Susan Cadavid Yeager
Download or read book TheCalifornia Community College Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program written by Susan Cadavid Yeager and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This case study examined the implementation of a baccalaureate degree at Skyline Community College--one of the 15 California community colleges authorized to offer baccalaureate degrees established as part of a pilot program enacted by the California Legislature via Senate Bill 850 (2014). The study explored the policies and procedures in place at Skyline College to support the development and implementation of the baccalaureate degree, identified the challenges faced, and examined the leadership provided by senior management during the degree development and implementation using the lens of a design thinking model of change. The research methods used included semi-structured interviews, a focus group, direct observations, archival data and documentation. The study findings indicated that the college's success in offering upper division courses in the baccalaureate degree program in fall 2016 was due to Skyline College having a cohesive campus culture in which administrators, faculty, and staff have shared values and take ownership of change initiatives; and employees described feeling supported by leadership in everything they do. This college has undertaken many new initiatives over the years such that administrators and faculty have become adept at administering and adapting to change. The college's process for implementing change closely mirrors that of the design thinking model of change, including having a team approach to problem solving, viewing new initiatives such as the baccalaureate degree holistically to understand how they fit within the existing programs and services of the college, prototyping potential solutions, adapting to obstacles as they were encountered, and developing solutions to the college's problems. Recommendations resulting from the study call for systemwide support for the continued study of the baccalaureate degrees at community colleges in California. In addition, data collection and evaluation efforts of the baccalaureate program at Skyline College need to align with the evaluation criteria contained in Senate Bill 850, which will be used by the Legislative Analyst's Office to evaluate the baccalaureate degree pilot program and to make recommendations to the California legislature on the continuation and/or expansion of the pilot program. Finally, community college leaders who may be considering implementing a baccalaureate degree at their college may find the promising practices identified in this study useful.