Science, Biology Faculty Selected

for

Title V Leadership Academy

 Giovanni Rosendo, associate editor

Selected faculty in the Science and Biology departments at South Plains College are preparing for the Title V 2006 Faculty Leadership Academy.

Title V grants are for Hispanic-serving institutions with at least 25 percent full time, low-income students.  Acquiring Title V funding is a competitive process, including proposals from a multitude of colleges and universities.  Out of the aspiring schools, only 20 or so are chosen to receive a five-year grant. 

SPC achieved Title V status on Jan. 27, with the first year focusing on developmental math and the second focusing on college-level math.  The third year’s focus is on science and biology.  The fourth year is for English, and the fifth for behavioral and social sciences. 

There was so much success in the first year of Title V that SPC has finished with the math emphasis and is now focusing on science with “Building Connections for Student Access and Academic Success.”

“We’re really wanting to expand access,” said Gail Platt, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at SPC.

Faculty chosen to participate in the next Faculty Leadership Academy include: Morri Hartgraves, assistant professor of anatomy and physiology; Jill Haukos, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Jacque Homan, professor of biology; Iris Keeling, assistant professor of biology; Letitia Simpson, instructor in anatomy and physiology; Dr. James Harmon, instructor in chemistry; Kathy Townsend, instructor in chemistry; Dr. Li Xiang, instructor in chemistry; and Dr. Jesse Yeh, professor of chemistry and chair of the department of science.

The first meeting, held on March 3, covered activities that needed assessment (Platt), retention (Christina Conner, retention specialist and Title V activity director), data reports (Johnny Lopez, statistician and data tracker for Title V), and instructional technology (Stephanie Jones, associate dean of instructional technology).

The chosen faculty filled out a questionnaire concerning what can help them as advisors, use technology in their classrooms and learn in the training.  They were also to rate themselves by their ability and expertise as a faculty advisor for math majors, and as a general advisor for students at SPC, along with their knowledge, ability and expertise in student retention strategies, classroom technology, supplemental instruction and alternative strategies for the delivery of instruction. 

Most scored high for ability and expertise as a general advisor for students at SPC, with the lowest rating for ability and expertise as a faculty advisor for math majors.

Four topics that professors want to know more about included communication and relational skills, student services, advising special populations and key issues in advising.

The main focus of the faculty is to find an efficient way to help students become successful as they attend SPC. Alma Lopez, assistant professor of mathematics, has helped by making tutoring videos and having her student assistants make videos.

Students, however, have not been utilizing the resource as some thought they might.