Northeast Alabama Community College engages in ongoing, comprehensive, and integrated research-based planning and evaluation processes. The processes focus on institutional quality and effectiveness and incorporate a systematic review of institutional goals and outcomes consistent with its mission. The basis of the process is the institutional mission statement. The Institutional Management and Planning Committee annually establishes directive goals based on the institutional mission statement. The Directive Goals are the Committee’s vision for enhancing the mission’s fulfillment over the next three years. Each curricular, administrative, and academic/student support unit then sets annual goals for itself within the mission statement and the established three-year directive goals. These planning activities align with the Alabama Community College System Board Policy 900 and its Chancellor’s Procedures and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Principles of Accreditation Section 7.1: Institutional Planning and Effectiveness.
The directive goal statements and the curricular, administrative, and academic/student support unit goals are brought together as part of the annual management plan developed by the Institutional Management and Planning Committee. Additionally, in the summer, each curricular, administrative, and academic/student support unit evaluates the accomplishment of its own annual goals, determines how results of the evaluation can be utilized to improve the functioning of the unit, and reports to the President.
The annually updated management plan spans three years. The intent of the management and planning process is to validate and enhance the fulfillment of the Northeast Alabama Community College mission in all aspects of college functioning and service.
The institutional research function within the Office of Institutional Planning and Assessment (OIPA) provides data and information to assist in assessing the extent to which the goals are met and how effective the College is in fulfilling its overall mission. This information is published annually in Information on Fulfillment of the Mission. OIPA also publishes the annual NACC Fact Book, a snapshot of NACC based on current and historical data.
Additional components in the effectiveness process include scheduled program reviews, reviews of general education and program learning outcomes, and student achievement data.