CS 3.4.11 Qualified Academic Program Coordinators

For each major in a degree program, the institution assigns responsibility for program coordination, as well as for curriculum development and review, to persons academically qualified in the field. In those degree programs for which the institution does not identify a major, this requirement applies to a curricular area or concentration.

 

Compliance                     ___ Non-Compliance

 

Narrative:

 

At Savannah State University, the primary responsibility for the content, quality and effectiveness of the curriculum lies with the faculty. The Academic Program Coordinator (APC) is the primary liaison for program faculty in communicating with academic management (Chairs, Deans, and Provost), advocating for the program and making recommendations beneficial to the program and its students that are based on findings from the regular assessment and review of the program’s learning outcomes and operations.

 

The APC recommends course schedules and faculty assignments to the department chair and coordinates schedule revisions and changes.  In addition, the coordinator assists the department chair, designated faculty advisors and professional advisors of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) to ensure that students receive appropriate academic advisement. Each major program and discipline area has a designated coordinator who is academically qualified in the field. These coordinators have academic preparation in their respective disciplines, most having earned the terminal degree in their discipline. Table 3.4.11a below identifies the Academic Program Coordinator for each academic program and provides their academic qualifications to serve as coordinator.

 

Table 3.4.11a Academic Program Coordinators Grid

COLLEGE	DEPARTMENT	PROGRAM	COORDINATOR	QUALIFICATIONS
College of Business Administration	Accounting, CIS, and Logistics	Accounting	Dr.  Yousef Jahmani (Chair)	PhD, Accounting and Finance, The University of Birmingham
		Computer Information Systems	Dr. Richelle Oakley	PhD, Information Systems, Univ. of North Carolina
		Global Logistics and International Business	Dr. Suman Niranjan	PhD, Engineering, Wright State University
	Business	Management	Dr. June Wu	PhD, Business Administration, Old Dominion University
		Marketing	Dr. Anshu Arora (Chair)	PhD,Consumer Navigation Behavior in Hypermedia CME's, India Institute of Technology
College of Science and Technology	Biology	Biology (BS)	Dr. Andrea Moore	PhD, Environmental Science, Oklahoma State University
		Health Science (AS)	Dr. Elissa Purnell	PhD, Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathobiology, Medical University of SouthCarolina
	Chemistry and Forensic Science	Chemistry (BS)	Dr. Pascal Binda	PhD, Chemistry, University of North Dakota
		Forensic Science (BS)	Dr. Karla Sue Marriott	PhD, Chemistry, University of the West Indies (Mona)
	Engineering Technology	Civil Engineering Technology (BS)	Mr. Henry Taylor	MS, Mechanical Engineering, Tuskegee University
		Computer Science Technology (BS)	Dr. Qian Chen	PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mississippi State University
		Electronic Engineering Technology (BS)	Dr. Asad Yousuf	MS, Electrical Engineering,University of Cincinnati
		Engineering Studies (AS)	Dr. Spyros Andreou	PhD, Electrical Engineering, University of Arkansas
		General Technology (AS)	Dr. Mir Hayder	PhD, Mechanical Engineering, McGill University
		Pre-Physics (AS)	Dr. Lina Merchan Alvarez	PhD, Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology
	Marine and Environmental Science	Marine Sciences (MS)	Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown	PhD, Marine Science, University of South Carolina
		Marine Sciences (BS)	Dr. Tara Cox	PhD, Ecology, Duke University
		Environmental Sciences (BS)	Dr. Sue Ebanks	PhD, Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of Miami
		Aquarium Science (AS)	Dr. Chris Hintz	PhD, Marine Sciences, University of South Carolina
	Mathematics	Mathematics (BS)	Dr. Agegnehu Atena	PhD, Mathematics, The State University of New York at Buffalo
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences	English, Languages,  and Cultures	English, Language, and Literature (BA)	Dr. Jordan Dominy	PhD, English, The University of Florida
	Fine Arts, Humanities, and Wellness	Visual and Performing Arts (BA)	Mr. Daryl Thompson	MFA, Theatre, University of Florida
	Journalism and Mass Communications	Journalism and Mass Communications (BA)	Dr. Juliana Trammel	PhD, Communication and Culture, Howard University
	Political Science and Public Affairs	Master of Public Administration (MPA)	Dr. Otilia Iancu	PhD, Public Policy, University of Arkansas
		Master of Urban Studies and Planning (MSUSP)	Dr. Deden Rukmana	PhD, Urban and Regional Planning, Florida State University
		Political Science (BA)	Dr. Geoffrey Bowden	PhD, Social Science, University of Notre Dame
		Homeland  Security and Emergency Management (BA)	Ms. Terri Clay	MPA, Public Administration, Jacksonville State University
	Social and Behavioral Sciences	Africana Studies (BA)	Dr. Cornelius St. Mark	PhD, Africana Studies, Howard University
		Behavior Analysis (BA)	Dr. Katherine Stewart	PhD, Behavioral Psychology, University of Kansas
		Criminal Justice (BA)	Dr. Johnnie Myers	PhD, Political Science, Clark Atlanta University
		History (BA)	Dr. Kazuo Yagami	PhD, History, The Florida State University
		Sociology (BA)	Dr. Larry Stokes	PhD, Sociology, Howard University
	Social Work	Master of Social Work (MSW)	Dr. Roenia Deloach	PhD,S ocial Work, Ohio State University
		Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)	Dr. Linda Samuel	PhD, Social Work, Clark Atlanta University
School of Teacher Education		Education	Dr. Mihaela Munday	PhD, Applied Mathematics, Babes-Bolyai University

 

The APC guides and facilitates program faculty in periodic comprehensive program reviews, mandated by the university, which are used to monitor the accomplishment of program objectives and continuous improvement of academic programs.  These coordinators also lead assessment of their programs and student learning outcomes as needed for accrediting agency requirements, and most importantly , for continuous improvement and enhancement of degree programs.  Other specific duties and responsibilities of the APC outlined in the Position Description of the Academic ProgramCoordinator  include:

 

·          The APC remains current and familiar with the institution’s various data systems of importance to faculty and provides guidance to and facilitates training for program faculty on use of these systems.

 

·          The APC assists the department chair in identifying professional development plans and procedures as needed for program faculty.

 

·          The APC maintains currency in the program’s academic field by regular involvement with and participation in relevant professional organizations and publications and encourages program faculty to maintain similar currency in the field.

 

·          The APC assists the department chair in executing student evaluations of the faculty.

As noted above, a particularly essential role of the APC is implementing and maintaining a comprehensive and systematic program assessment process, including student learning outcomes, and communicating assessment outcomes to relevant committees (e.g. College, School, and University Assessment Committees) and departments (e.g., Chairs, Dean, Provost, CAS, IRPA). These activities are necessary for institutions to demonstrate that they regularly assess their academic programs and use assessment results for continuous improvement, as stated in Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1.1, which requires institutions to:

identify expected outcomes, assess the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provide evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results in each of the following areas:

3.3.1.1 educational programs, to include student learning outcomes

Internet or Web-Based Courses

 

Regardless of the method of course delivery traditional or alternative—programs are developed, evaluated, and coordinated by appropriate, qualified program coordinators. Academic Program Coordinators review curriculum, including online and hybrid offerings, on a regular basis. They also work with the Savannah State University - Online Education Office to ensure that faculty teaching distance learning courses have opportunities for professional development to enhance their proficiency as instructors for online and hybrid courses. Such opportunities at SSU include face-to-face workshops facilitated by the Learning Management System Administrator and training via the Brightspace (D2L) learning management system.

Conclusion

 

As articulated in the institution’s mission , Savannah State University focuses on “high quality instruction” as well as offering an increasing number of “graduate and undergraduate studies including nationally accredited programs in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions.”  Academic Program Coordinators employed by the university have the requisite knowledge and experience in their respective academic disciplines, and provide the expertise to guide each department, school, and college in aligning its curriculum with this mission.  

 

Supporting Documentation and Evidence:

·          Savannah State University - Position Description of the Academic Program Coordinator

·          Savannah State University – Online Education

·          Savannah State University – Mission Statement