Hampden-Sydney College is gearing up for a visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The SACS Commission on Colleges is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states and will be reviewing our status as we prepare for our ten-year accreditation renewal.
As a part of the renewal process, colleges are required to have a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) which outlines learning outcomes and the environment supporting student learning as well as a plan to institute these goals. Our QEP introduces enhanced first-year experiences that directly impact student learning through an emphasis on student engagement, reflection, and connection. Entitled "Building the Brotherhood: A First-Year Initiative to Form Good Men and Good Citizens in an Atmosphere of Sound Learning," the QEP builds directly upon best practices research, institutional data, and ongoing strategic planning initiatives. The QEP has three primary components: Reflection, Discovery, and Connection.
Reflection: Based on the assumption that a "good man and good citizen" is self-aware and able to relate empathically to the diverse experiences of others, the FYE engages students in ongoing reflection on their personal experiences and the experiences of others as they relate to the themes of honor, citizenship, service, purpose, and masculinity.
Discovery: The FYE introduces students to the process of scholarly inquiry as a means of enhancing reasoning skills, emphasizing the value of informed civil discourse, and increasing students' engagement in their own educations.
Connection: Because understanding how to communicate effectively and professionally with others is a necessary skill for workplace success, the FYE connects students with alumni mentors who will foster students' professional communication skills and model the applicability of a liberal arts education to the working world.
Importantly, because the first-year experience QEP at H-SC will be built upon and is integrated with existing campus-wide initiatives, it will remain a priority and continue to develop in the years to come. You can find out more about Hampden-Sydney's QEP here.