QEP | QUALITY EHHANCEMENT PLAN | noun, adj, verb-pronounced qwa-lu-tee (Definition) 1- It is a required initiative outlining new, long term program chosen by a College to enhance learning for it's students. 2 - It is designed to compliment a College's exisiting programs to improve learning.
Get Involved | SACSCOC Info | Time Table | Links | Team
Get Involved
We want you to get involved! The purpose of this Cleveland State website is to get ideas from students, faculty, staff and our community on helping decide what our Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) topic should be. After all, you have an investment in Cleveland State; we're your community college, and we want your input.

We urge you to make a recommendation on what our QEP might be; however, it might be helpful to you if you read further to find out more about Quality Enhancement Plans.

Before you make your suggestions, let's talk about why does CSCC need a QEP?

A QEP is a component of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC), which is the governing body for accreditation. Without accreditation, you lose the ability to give out financial aid, if you can't give out financial aid, you lose students, and then, the difficulties begin. The QEP works in five-year cycles; CSCC just completed a cycle and is now at the beginning of a new five-year cycle. We have to pick our topic. We need your help!

So, we know the why, but what is a QEP?

A Quality Enhancement Plan is a plan that focuses on student learning. It's a carefully designed course of action that allows a student to become more involved in the learning process. More involvement translates into a better understanding of the subject matter. As an example, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville's QEP focuses on increasing awareness of students on International and Intercultural issues. At the end of the ten-year reaccreditation cycle SACSCOC representatives will evaluate UT and part of that evaluation will be the documentation and knowledge of students concerning UT's QEP plan. For examples of QEP topics from other colleges go to the links section.

What do you think Cleveland State should be focusing on?

You will find a list of topics that have been suggested on the right side of the page. You can vote, comment, and discuss the topics by clicking their respective links.
Get Involved | SACSCOC Info | Time Table | Links | Team
SACSCOC Info
SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) serves as CSCC's regional accreditation body. SACSCOC provides:
  • A Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, the area that accredits elementary, middle and secondary schools and
  • the Commission on Colleges, the group that accredits degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern states.
"The Commission's mission is the enhancement of educational quality throughout the region and the improvement of the effectiveness of institutions by ensuring that they meet standards established by the higher education community that address the needs of society and students. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Latin America, and other international sites approved by the Commission on Colleges that award associate, baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education." --SACSCOC, Retrieved Fabruary 12, 2012 from http://www.sacscoc.org

To gain or to maintain SACSCOC accreditation, CSCC must adhere to standards listed in the "Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement" and the policies and procedures of the Commission on Colleges. --posted on the SACSCOC web page at http://www.sacscoc.org

Accreditation for higher education institutions is a voluntary process. The process ensures that institutions maintain standards, follow a common set of guidelines and use data to improve the effectiveness of the institution.

Our SACSCOC accreditation process will study data and determine whether CSCC is meeting the terms of its mission, goals and if the College is dealing with critical institutional issues. Faculty and staff from other higher education institutions will determine whether CSCC is in compliance. These accreditation reviewers are known as peer reviewers.
Get Involved | SACSCOC Info | Time Table | Links | Team
Time Table
Cleveland State's time line for completion of the QEP is listed below. As you will notice we have until June 13, 2013 to complete the plan. It seems like a long time, but it goes by quickly. With your help, we can make this happen!

  • January 2012 - Initiate Topic Identification
  • June 2012 - Select Topic
  • July 2012 - Initiate Detailed Plan Development
  • April 2013 - Complete Draft
  • June 2013 - Complete Plan
  • July 2013 - Submit QEP to SACSCOC
  • October 15-17, 2013 - On-Site Review
Get Involved | SACSCOC Info | Time Table | Links | Team
Team
Please feel free to contact any of the QEP team members to ask questions and discuss topics. The team members below are our QEP "Cheerleaders."
  • Kelly Blevins - OIT
  • Chad Cameron - Student Relations / Adjuct Instructor
  • Walter Couch - Student
  • John Dezember - Marketing
  • Alyssa Durham - SGA President
  • Shirley Eldridge - Business Office
  • Sonia Franklin - Faculty, Nursing
  • Allan Gentry - Faculty, Technology
  • Stephen Hays - Faculty, Science
  • Sherry Holloway - Service Learning
  • Ruth Kirkendall - Admissions and Records
  • Alyssa Lark - SGA Vice President
  • Lloyd Longnion - Training and Continuing Education
  • Don Lorton - Foundation
  • Sherry Marlow - Title III Coordinator
  • Mark McLeod - Faculty, Humanities
  • Liz Moseley - Faculty, Social Sciences
  • Judy Nye - Testing Center
  • Kim Parker - Physical Plant
  • Jim Peters - Faculty, Science
  • Katherine (Angie) Queen - Adjunct Instructor
  • Ashley Raburn - Media Technologies
  • Denise Rice - Cormetech and CAI
  • Sheila Smith - Athletics
  • David StClair - Student Services
  • Nancy Thomas - Faculty, Nursing
  • Monica Twork - Library
  • Bob Uhl - Faculty, Business
  • Susan Vinson - Financial Aid
  • Patty Weaver - Off Campus Sites
  • Natalia Williams - ACCESS Center
  • Sherra Witt - Dean