Bucks County Community College MSCHE Self-Study 2022

A draft of our self-study for re-affirmation of accreditation by the Middle States Commission for Higher Education (MSCHE) is now available for your review. Access the draft at this link to the DRAFT Self-Study PDF.

Throughout the summer and fall, we welcome your input to this draft. To share your feedback anonymously, complete the “Give us Feedback” form at: bucks.edu/middlestates. Recipients of the form are self-study co-chairs Associate Professor, Jackie Burger and Associate Provost, Kelly Kelleway. You may provide your name and email address if you prefer.

Stay tuned for information on open forums and focus group events!

On February 24, 2021 members of our self-study Working Groups moderated a virtual student panel discussion. Our student participants provided helpful insight to the College’s strengths and areas of improvement. Here are the highlights of the discussion:

• Diversity​

Experiences working as a tutor provided the opportunity to meet lots of students and as a result gained an awareness of multilingual and multicultural backgrounds as well as diversity of learning styles. 

Bucks is a safe space evident by gender-neutral restrooms, safe space messaging around the UBC campus. 

• High-quality courses and programs of study​ 

Professor’s expertise and course work were cited as examples.

• Availability of courses and other learning opportunities ​ 

Course scheduling was not a challenge. Access to internships were discussed as a meaningful learning opportunity and as a tool for deciding a major. Student planning tool is a “lifesaver” for scheduling courses efficiently.

• Personal connections

Connections with professors and the personal connections cultivated through Bucks+. COLL-101 provides an opportunity to learn about ways to connect at Bucks beyond the classroom like as a Peer Mentor.

• Improvements 

Decrease commute time and increase scheduling options by offering Zoom (remote) courses in non-pandemic times.

Offer opportunities to stay at Bucks, in small classes, remotely or online, to earn bachelor’s and master’s credits.

Network with Deans to learn more about opportunities at Bucks and beyond.

Bucks student email should be taught and reinforced as an important resources to staying informed and connected.  

Our series of forums to review and discuss the insights and observations the working groups contributed to the self-study report begins soon. Each forum will focus on the Middle States Commission for Higher Education’s (MSCHE) standards of accreditation most applicable to the forum audience. Relevant to all members of the college community are the three institutional priorities showcased in our self-study. Our institutional priorities and recent accomplishments: Our Learners of Tomorrow

• Implementing non-credit and credit collaborations such as our pathway for learners interested in building their skills for engineering technology
• Obtained program accreditation through the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress for Fire Science and Emergency Management Credit Programs and can provided Act 48 opportunities for PA certified teachers
• Building upon a “Credentials for Life” program started last year https://www.bucks.edu/credentials/
• Decrease non-academic barriers to success for students by expanding our zero textbook cost course offerings and by improving scholarship match and application processes

Our Promise

• Use the platform Suitable, branded as Bucks+, to provide a calendar of remote co-curricular events and to provide students with a gamified process to support engagement
• Newly hired professional advisors to increase year-round access to advisors
• Counselors undertook professional development to then train the college community on topics such as mental health first aid 
• Decrease non-academic barriers to success for students by offering food assistance to qualifying
• Early Alert interventions tailored to provide a reason for the communication and a more specific call to action

Our Programs

• Transitioned to remote courses and limited on-campus instruction and continued excellence in teaching and academic support services
• Developed new programs and certificates in response to growing opportunities in the fields of Health Sciences and IT
• Enhanced transfer agreements with Rider University, Temple University and Penn State University
• Reduced barriers to degree completion by expanding our zero textbook cost course offerings and by utilizing technology to continue to offer courses remotely
• Increasing opportunities for student research