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Southwestern Community College excels in system-wide performance report

In a report released earlier this month, Southwestern Community College was one of four institutions statewide to exceed the North Carolina Community College System’s (NCCCS’s) mean in seven or more of the eight measures used to gauge annual performance.

Tamara Thompson of Cherokee graduated from Southwestern Community College in May. First-time, credential seeking students at SCC tend to complete or continue their education at a rate higher than the goal set last summer by the N.C. Community College System.

In the system office’s “Performance Measures for Student Success,” SCC exceeded two of the system’s goals: curriculum completion and pass rates on licensure/certification exams by first-time test takers. The report is based on data from the 2011-12 academic year.

Southwestern was also above the system mean in the following categories: progress of basic skills students, GED diploma passing rate, success rate of developmental students in subsequent college level math courses, first-year progression and performance of college transfer students.

“We’re extremely pleased, but not surprised, by the findings in this report,” said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC president. “The performance measures are evidence of just how dedicated and diligent our faculty and staff are. We’re also extremely fortunate to have a motivated group of students who work hard to achieve great things.

“Although we performed quite well in this most recent report,” Dr. Tomas added, “we aren’t satisfied and will continue to seek ways to enhance the way we serve Jackson, Macon and Swain counties as well as the Qualla Boundary.”

In the report’s eighth category, success rate of developmental students in subsequent college level English courses, SCC measured above the system baseline.

This was the first year the NCCCS used relational, rather than set, standards as accountability measures.

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