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| Western Wyoming Community College |
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| By signing below, we attest to the following: |
| 1. |
That Western Wyoming Community College has conducted an honest assessment of Response
and has provided complete and accurate disclosure of timely information regarding
Response with the Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards, and Federal Requirements
of the Commission on Colleges. |
| 2. |
That Western Wyoming Community College has attached a complete and accurate listing
of all programs offered by the institution, the locations where they are offered,
and the means by which they are offered as indicated on the updated "Institutional
Summary Form Prepared for Commission Reviews," and that the comprehensive assessment
of Response reported on the Response Certification includes the review of all such
programs. |
| 3. |
That Western Wyoming Community College has provided a complete and accurate listing
of all substantive changes that have been reported and approved by the Commission
since the institution's last reaffirmation as well as the date of Commission approval. |
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| The mission was developed through a process suited to the context of the institution. (Development Process) |
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| Narrative |
Western Wyoming Community College's mission is developed through a collaborative process
suited to the context of the institution. Policy 7110A (22-0005) requires that Western review its mission statement annually. Western's original
mission statement adopted in 1989 has had four major revisions in 1992, 2014, 2016,
and 2020. The Wyoming Legislature established a mission for the state's colleges in
1991 (22-0001), which Western's Board of Trustees (Board) adopted the following year. Western's
2014 revision added an enhanced mission statement and purpose to the 1992 mission
statement.
The Western Leadership Council formed a committee in 2018 to evaluate Western's mission
statement and to gather feedback from students, employees, and community members (22-0006). A campus-wide survey was conducted in November 2018. Survey results (22-0003) (22-0004) revealed the top choice among four proposed mission statements:
"Western is an innovative public community college aimed at empowering, educating,
and improving our students, employees, community and environment. Our focus is to
inspire the next generation of visionaries by using Wyoming grit and individual development
in a divers array of learning and flexible services. Western is where passion meets
purpose."
The final proposed statement was approved by the Board and was effective immediately
(22-0002). |
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| The mission and related statements are current and reference the institution’s emphasis
on the various aspects of its mission, such as instruction, scholarship, research,
application of research, creative works, clinical service, public service, economic
development and religious or cultural purpose. (Consistency with Mission) |
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| Narrative |
Western Wyoming Community College's Mission and Guiding Principles drive institutional
decision-making and reflect Western's commitment to its stakeholders. Mission and
Guiding Principles are reviewed regularly as per Policies 7110A (22-0005), 7110B (22-0014), and 7110C (22-0015), and have been updated in the past two years (see 1.A.1).
The mission states, Western is an "innovative public community college." As of 2022
Western offers two Bachelor of Applied Science degrees (BAS), nine Associate of Science
degrees (AA), nine Associate of Art degrees (AS), 18 Associate of Applied Arts degrees
(AAS), one Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and 31 certificates. In 2021-2022 Western
conferred 261 degrees and 106 certificates. Western is further "empowering, educating,
and improving" its students; last year it had a total student population of 3,438.
These students come from nearly every county within Wyoming and represent the racial
and ethnic diversity of Western's service area (22-0032). The College is focused on inspiring the "next generation of visionaries"; 651 high
school students enrolled in dual courses and 769 in concurrent courses during 2021-2022,
earning 8,914 credits. Finally, Western offers a "diverse array of learning" services.
Last year 2,033 students enrolled in at least one online course, completing 17,884
credits (22-0010). Additionally, the College offers services, courses, and non-credit options throughout
its service area with outreach offices in 10 locations (22-0131).
Western's Guiding Principles serve to further delineate College operations and commitment
to research, scholarship, instruction, public service, economic development and informed
decision-making.
- Learning is our Purpose: Students have the unique opportunity to conduct original
research, the Undergraduate Research Symposium is one example (22-0007).
- Students are our Focus: In 2021-2022 the College awarded more than eight million dollars
in student aid and scholarships (22-0009).
- Employees are our Most Important Resource: The College is committed to supporting
its instructional programs; 49% of the College's budget is devoted to instructional
or instructional support expenses, 18% of Western faculty hold terminal degrees and
the College maintains an 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio (22-0009).
- The Community is our Partner: Employees, students, clubs, and athletics regularly
participate in public service. Examples include the VETS Club participation in the
City Wide Clean Up (22-0018), Association of Non-Traditional Students (ANTS) Club adopting senior citizens during
the Christmas season (22-0011), and the Men's Wrestling team helping the Food Bank of the Rockies (22-0019).
- Adapting to Change Defines Our Future: The recent Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
degree in Business Management (22-0012) (22-0013), furthers Wyoming's education attainment goal and economic development within the
state (22-0016) (22-0008).
- Data and Integrity Guide our Decisions: The College invests in both human and financial
resources to make more data-informed decisions (see 5.A.2)
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| The mission and related statements identify the nature, scope and intended constituents
of the higher education offerings and services the institution provides. (Planning and Budgeting Priorities) |
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| Narrative |
The College's mission statement identifies the nature of the institution. Western
delivers diverse learning opportunities by providing 11 fully online programs and
seven online certificates (22-0132). Over the past year, Western has spent $3,655,353 on technology and remote learning
improvements to meet the demands of online learning (22-0022). Western offers several flexible formats with its Workforce Development Program
(22-0020) (22-0025) that allow students to obtain short-term credentials to enter the work force.
Western's scope is highlighted in its mission statement with the opportunities it
provides to constituents. Students participate in several different student leadership
programs including Student Government Association (SGA), Resident Assistant Program
(RA), and Student Ambassador opportunities. This empowers students during their college
experience. Western offers all faculty, professional, and paraprofessional staff opportunities
for professional development (22-0021), providing the opportunity to learn about the latest research and best practices
in higher education. Western partners with several industry leaders through the Southwest
Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership (22-0024) which helps to improve communities in Western's service area.
Students, employees, and Western's service area communities are the intended constituents
for the institution. These constituents are provided an array of learning opportunities
to obtain or enhance their education. Western's annual budget shows the majority of
financial allocations are focused on employees, student services, and instruction,
in service to the key components of the institution's mission statement (22-0023). |
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| The institution’s academic offerings, student support services and enrollment profile
are consistent with its stated mission. (offerings, student support services and enrollment) |
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| Narrative |
The College's academic offerings, student services and enrollment profile reflect
the College's commitment to all aspects of its mission.
Academic Offerings
The College is authorized to offer the following credentials
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Associate of Arts
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Associate of Science
- Associate of Applied Science
- Certificates
Western seeks to fulfill its mission by offering courses in various modalities:
- Online courses: In 2021-2022, 59% of Western students took at least one online course
and they completed 17,884 credits (22-0010) (22-0029).
- Outreach courses: Offers a broad range of courses and provided 3,466 students and
community members the opportunity to take face-to-face classes close to home (22-0031).
- Non-Credit courses: Community enrichment and High School Equivalency certificate exam
preparation courses are two examples.
Student Support Services
Students are directly supported through several departments (see 3.C.7), including:
- Mustang Central: This area's mission is, "to create an environment where student success
is a priority by providing excellent service and support through the integration of
enrollment service functions in a welcoming and inviting central location (22-0030)."
- Advising: The mission of this area is, "Meeting our Students Where they Are," empowers
students with Advising, Career, Employment, Internship and Transfer advice and support
(22-0027).
- Wellbeing and Accessibility: This department provides personal counseling, Federal
Title IX oversight and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations for Western's
students (22-0034). In addition to educational activities, they address issues facing college students,
employees, and the community (22-0026).
Enrollment Profiles
Western's 2021-2022 Annual Report (22-0009) is a snapshot of its student body: 53% are from Sweetwater County, 40% from other
Wyoming counties, 6% from out-of-state, and 1% are international students. The College's
racial and ethnic makeup is proportional to its service area (22-0032). The 2021-2022 graduation rate was 34%.
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The institution clearly articulates its mission through public information, such as
statements of purpose, vision, values, goals, plans or
institutional priorities. (Clearly articulated mission) |
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| Narrative |
The College clearly articulates its Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles to the
public. These are found on the College's website within Policies, 7110A, 7110B, and
7110C (see 1.A.2), which require that they are, "published in the catalog, on the
College website, and other appropriate venues."
Western's Strategic Plan (22-0036) is evidence of this; the Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Guiding Principles
are central to the plan and they serve as foundations for the College's strategic
priorities.
Strategic Priorities:
- Create a Culture of Success
- Strengthen Academic Success
- Cultivate Valuable Partnerships
- Operate Efficiently
The Mission statement is part of the College's Annual Report which is sent to stakeholders
throughout Western's service area. The College Catalog describes Western's Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles, and Goals for Student
Success. The Viewbook (22-0035) contains the Mission Statement, while the Student Handbook (22-0037) contains the Goals for Student Success. |
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The institution’s actions and decisions demonstrate that its educational role is to
serve the public, not solely the institution or any
superordinate entity. (Articulated through Public Documents) |
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| Narrative |
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As a state of Wyoming institution of higher education and one of seven Wyoming community
colleges under the leadership of the Wyoming Community College Commission (The Commission),
Western's responsibility is to the people of Wyoming. Wyoming state statues §21-18-201-§21-18-205
(22-0050) (22-0051) which created and delineated the powers and duties of The Commission, provide coordination,
advocacy, funding, and accountability for the community colleges on behalf of the
State of Wyoming.
Wyoming state statues §21-18-301 - §21-18-319 (22-0052) (22-0053) identify the process by which districts are defined and which community college
is charged to serve each district, how the district board shall be established, and
the duties and actions charged to each district board. Wyoming law defines that each
community college's mission and function are to serve the population of Wyoming to
meet state strategic goals of an educated population. Western serves no superordinate
entity.
Western's Board has seven elected members, representing different portions of the
district (22-0133). Meetings are held monthly, with additional special meetings as needed. The agenda
is available to the public in advance of each meeting. Board policies are also published
online (22-0039). These measures ensure public awareness of, and inclusion in, the Board and College
operations.
In accordance with Western's purpose and strategic plan (22-0008), the College serves its community in a variety of ways. There are degrees, certificates,
and special offerings suited to the needs of the region (22-0047), many guided by industry higher education partners (22-0042). Western maintains partnerships with service area high schools offering a range
of dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities (22-0048).
The College also offers a variety of academic (22-0046) (22-0049) and skill competitions (22-0102) in which students can earn scholarships for later attendance. College facilities
host a range of community events, such as elections (22-0101) and meetings (22-0041). Western also provides a range of academic (22-0105), cultural (22-0045), wellness (22-0103), and other programming (22-0044) to the community throughout the year.
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| The institution’s educational responsibilities take primacy over other purposes, such
as generating financial returns for investors, contributing to a related or parent
organization, or supporting external interests. (Institutional Emphasis) |
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Western is a public two-year college with no investors. It is a public entity with
the sole purpose of supporting Wyoming's goal to provide educational opportunities
within its service area.
The Western Wyoming College Foundation Board of Directors is separate from the College's
Board (22-0110). Limited alternative revenue streams exist in the form of approved auxiliary enterprise
operations; however, the primary goal for these operations is to be self-sufficient
without institutional subsidies (22-0108). Most of Western's expenditures directly support its focus on student learning (22-0109).
Considerable time and resources are invested to support the communities throughout
Western's service area. The College operates 10 outreach locations (22-0117), expanding its reach to five counties. These locations offer a variety of services
(22-0116) such as, in-person classes, community services, and student support functions.
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| The institution engages with its external constituencies and responds to their needs
as its mission and capacity allow. (Intended Constituents) |
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| Narrative |
The College is committed to workforce development. Western's Outreach & Workforce
Development Office (22-0038) offers classes assisting local industries and business in its service area with
a range of trainings and customizable courses.
Fifteen career and technical education programs have Advisory Councils (22-0042) comprised of regional industry and business leaders. These critical relationships
assist educational programs in offering curricula that meet business and industry
needs (22-0121). The Advisory Councils are comprised of five to 38 members, covering a range from
small business to major industry (see 3.A.1).
Western works with 11 school districts. Over the past three years the College offered
approximately 375 courses to an average of 1,375 students. Annually approximately
8,500 credits are earned toward degrees/certificates by eligible high school students
in Western's service area. Dual and concurrent courses are articulated with Western's
service area school districts on an annual basis. The College follows Wyoming Community
College Commission (The Commission) Dual and Concurrent Enrollment procedures. School
Chairs and program facilitators ensure instructors have proper credentials and course
outcomes are met.
Western participates in statewide articulation discussions with the University of
Wyoming (22-0127) and is also a member of the Interstate Compact on Students of Military Families,
Interstate Passport, Wyoming Works Program, and Western Interstate Commission for
Higher Education (WICHE). Each program provides an opportunity for students to attain
and transfer credits to an institution of higher education.
In terms of community outreach, Western welcomes organizations and other entities
to use College facilities per Policy 1330A (22-0124). One of the most notable community uses of College facilities is as a polling location
for local, state and federal elections (see 1.B.1). College personnel also maintain
an official institutional presence in crucial local organizations such as the Board
of the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce (22-0125), Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership, and the Sweetwater Economic Development
Coalition (22-0126).
Community members frequently visit Western to enjoy athletic, recreational and educational
offerings. The Weidner Wildlife Museum had almost 2,500 recorded visitors between
July 2020 and June 2021 (22-0129). The College's theatre productions have maintained strong levels of ticket sales,
particularly pre-COVID, with ticket sales of up to 6,378 per year (22-0130). This is in addition to special matinees for area school children and senior centers
from across the College's service area. Western also recently developed a Makerspace
to allow business and individual community members to have hands-on use of 3D printers
and other technology equipment (22-0128)
During the May 2020 Board meeting, the College President and the Director of Outreach
reported on newly implemented Presidential Listening Sessions (22-0122). The goal of this annual tour is to maintain and increase dialogue with key stakeholders
in Western's service area, to review the College's footprint in each community, demonstrate
the College's presence and ultimately improve serve to constituents. The Board President
and specific Board members attend these listening sessions when possible. Due to travel
restrictions, the 2020-2021 President's Listening Sessions took place via Zoom. In
the September 2021 Outreach Board Report (22-0123), overarching themes from each session were identified. Each theme is tied to the
appropriate Guiding Principle and Strategic Priority with associated action items.
Listening sessions will continue annually to assess future needs and ensure continued
collaboration.
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| The institution encourages curricular or cocurricular activities that prepare students
for informed citizenship and workplace success. (Role in Society) |
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| Narrative |
Western Wyoming Community College encourages students to participate in curricular
and co-curricular activities that prepare them to be engaged citizens and successful
in the workplace. At an institutional level, Western enunciates this commitment in
both its Mission and Vision statements (22-0213) (see 1.A.1). This commitment is further defined in the Goals for Student Success
(22-0143). These goals provide expected outcomes for both curricular and co-curricular activities
and are the basis for evaluating their efficacy.
At the curricular level, Western supports these efforts intentionally by embedding
many of the activities in programs or individual courses and regularly assessing their
outcomes.
Curricular Examples:
- First Year Success: This course is required for all degree seeking students (until
Fall 2022 when it became part of the Interstate Passport competencies). Learning Outcome:
Students will be exposed to campus resources designed to assist them with their success
at the institution and in the future (22-0140).
- Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Capstone: This course is required for all students
completing the BAS. degree. Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate a broad knowledge
of the different functional fields of business management and be able to apply business
concepts in a business simulation (22-0136).
- Communication Internship: The course is highly recommended for students completing
the Associate of Arts in Communication. Learning Outcome: Students will describe how
their internship experience will benefit their future work and professional development
(22-0137).
- Education Practicum: This course is required for students completing education degrees.
Learning Outcome: Students will learn and observe classroom management/discipline
techniques and develop appropriate classroom management plan components for future
classroom instruction (22-0139).
Outside the classroom, students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities
that prepare them to be engaged citizens and successful in the workplace.
Co-Curricular Examples:
- Mustang Market: Held at the beginning of each semester, this event connects students
with clubs, activities, and student services (22-0138) (22-0141).
- National Society of Leadership and Success: This society introduces students to civic
engagement (22-0142).
- Western Workshops: These workshops are internal professional development opportunities
sponsored by Western Student Life (22-0104).
- Athletics: Student athletes regularly engage in community service (22-0134) (22-0135).
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| The institution’s processes and activities demonstrate inclusive and equitable treatment
of diverse populations. (Attention to Human Diversity) |
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Prior to 2020, Western inclusion efforts were primarily ad hoc focusing on student
needs and activities. Since 2020, the College is focusing efforts to intentionally
support and promote processes and activities that foster inclusivity among the diverse
populations it employs and serves (22-0009) (22-0032).
Examples include Western's Children's Center established in 1975, which was the first
on a Wyoming college campus (22-0148). The office of Wellbeing and Accessibility provides services and support for students
with disabilities and those who need counseling services, whether those students are
on campus, online or at outreach centers (22-0026) (22-0205).
Some relevant clubs include the Association of Non-Traditional Students (A.N.T.S.),
Gay-Straight Alliance of Western Wyoming Community College (BeLeGit) (22-0204), and the Spanish Club, and the Veterans Club (VETS). In fall 2019, the Swipe Out
Hunger program was implemented on campus in partnership with Sodexo to address food
insecurity among the student population (22-0150). The Faculty and Students Together Fund (FAST Fund) was started by faculty to help
students with emergency expenses (22-0149). In the spring of 2020, a student garden was planted, and a Student Storehouse was
organized providing students with access to food and hygiene items.
The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI) was created in the spring of 2020
(22-0202), and presented an overview of its creation, mission, purpose, and goals at Western's
Fall 2020 In-service (22-0203). During the Spring 2021 In-service, the DEI Committee hosted a keynote by Jose Antonio
Vargas, nationally recognized journalist, filmmaker, producer, and founder of Define
America. Dr. Talea Drummer-Ferrell, a specialist in diversity training from Kent State
University, presented workshops on supporting underrepresented students.
Since 2018, the Wellbeing and Accessibility office has provided ongoing training sessions
for the Safe Zone Project, focusing on LGBTQ+ awareness and ally-ship; first for the
members of the BeLeGit Club, then Title IX investigators, and finally expanded to
Western employees and other student groups. The work of this committee was summarized
in an August 2021 report to the Board (22-0201).
Additional examples of curricular and co-curricular activities that faculty and staff
are providing to Western's student population to promote and support diversity in
a multicultural society are addressed in subsequent sections (see 3.B.2 and 3.B.4).
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| The institution fosters a climate of respect among all students, faculty, staff and
administrators from a range of diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives. (Climate of respect) |
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| Narrative |
From 2012-2020, Western's efforts to create a climate of respect focused primarily
on students and their direct needs. In the spring of 2020, the College created the
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEI), whose mission is, "to reflect and
support the diverse campus and communities we serve" and to "break down barriers to
inclusion, influence policies to foster equity, increase both awareness and presence
of diversity, and empower underrepresented members of our community" (see 1.C.2). The DEI Committee is continuing these efforts by developing a strategic plan that will guide future DEI actions while providing meaningful outcome measures. President’s Cabinet approved the DEI Strategic Plan project charter in the fall of 2022, which centered around the creation of a comprehensive three-year institutional DEI plan to be approved by March 1, 2023 (22-0465).
Western is also committed to respecting the diversity of opinions, ideas and perspectives
of its employees. The Great Colleges to Work for Survey (see 5.C.3) provides opportunities
for employees to share their thoughts about institutional climate and governance.
The 2022 survey results indicated concerns for morale within the College. To address
these concerns the President’s Cabinet asked employees to participate in two task
forces, one addressing climate and the other compensation. Both task forces are comprised
of employees representing campus constituency groups (faculty, professional, para-professional).
These task forces have been asked to examine data and gather information to inform
their decision making, while regularly communicating with campus stakeholders on their
progress (22-0473) (22-0474).
Handbooks for staff, faculty, students (22-0037) and student athletes (22-0212) reflect the College's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The annual
Campus Safety Report (22-0206), the Title IX policy (22-0068) and procedure (22-0211) as well as Western's non-discrimination policy (22-0207), collectively support a climate of respect. The College's policies and procedures
for student academic grievances (22-0209), non-academic grievances (22-0210), and employee grievances (22-0208) also support a respectful campus community. Western
has also made a concerted effort to recruit diverse talent (see 5.B.1). |
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