GCCAT team explains its value at college

By MEGAN HUGHES

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — The Board of Trustees for Gogebic Community College learned at its Dec. 17 meeting how the GCC Assessment Team contributes to overall academic success.

The related presentation served as an overview of the services and methods that GCCAT utilizes to meet its goals.

GCCAT team members are Yolanda Lozano, computer science and technology instructor, and Chenin Limback, biology instructor — both on the Ironwood campus — and Jared Evans, student success coordinator at GCC’s Copper Country Center.

The presentation noted that GCCAT works on improving the learning experience and on reviewing data gathered from working with students and faculty to continue that improvement. These objectives are met via faculty workshops, in which discussions include topics of assessment and support in completing course and program-level projects.

According to a college press release, GCCAT coordinates learning assessments across the college and serves as a resource for student learning outcomes, providing an assessment framework and supporting faculty and programs with leadership, guidance and data.

Throughout the semester, GCCAT organizes the year’s general education assessment project, generates a college-wide overview report of the institutional learning outcomes and program assessment reports, provides updates and leads assessment-related discussions at faculty meetings, and provides individualized assistance upon request.

In other news, the board voted to approve a bid from Upper Peninsula Engineers and Architects of Houghton for architectural and engineering services over a five-year period.

The board also met Erika Buchanan, the new volleyball co-head.

Buchanan is originally from Canada and grew up playing volleyball. She comes from a background playing on the Canadian national volleyball team. “We are really excited,” she said. “We have a lot of plans going and a lot of interest and are excited to get going.”

According to Jennifer Sabourin, Vice President of Academics, Student Services and Athletics, the board had received a resignation from the former assistant volleyball coach at the end of the previous season.

During the process of writing the position posting, it was decided that the college would have a co-coaching position, rather than an assistant position.

The board also:

— Approved November meeting minutes.

— Approved financial reports.

— Heard administrative and personnel updates.

After a holiday break, the college will re-open today, with the spring semester beginning on Jan. 13.