TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgement ...2
Mission and Goals ...3
Vision Statement ...4
College Advisory Commissions ...5
Definitions ...6
Membership Categories ...6
Procedures ...7
Meetings and Responsibilities of Officers ...8
Recommendations ...8
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Mercer County Community College is grateful to you for joining us to create the future for our students, our employers and our community. The time and expertise you contribute are crucial to maintaining and strengthening the col-lege’s contributions to the community.
Advisory Commissions provide a critical link between our education and ser-vices and the world of work and the community. Your perspective, insight and experience keep our programs vital, relevant and current. You are a major component of our input from the community. Because you know the college and the programs, you are also our representatives to the community-at-large and potential students. You are our advocates in sharing our information with employers and out in the community.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the staff and students of MCCC, I thank you for the expertise, support, energy and enthusiasm that you share with the college. You make a difference for our students and our community. Indeed you are an important part of creating the future.
MERCER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MISSION AND GOALS
Mercer County Community College, founded on a vibrant urban tradition to serve the citizens of New Jersey’s capital county, welcomes students of all ages from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, abilities, interests, levels of educa-tion, and economic circumstances to a challenging and supportive educational environment. The college recognizes that students differ in the ways they learn and that learning should be a challenging and rewarding experience, made pos-sible by qualified faculty and staff, coherent curricula, effective instructional methods, and a nurturing environment. Mercer also responds to a broad array of community needs, sponsoring programs and services for employers, continu-ing education and traincontinu-ing for the workforce, academic enrichment for youth, and cultural opportunities for people in the region.
The following goals guide the college’s quest to fulfill its mission:
• To offer high-quality academic programs and support services for a broad, heterogeneous student population, including...
• Associate degree programs consisting of first- and second-year courses that will transfer to four-year colleges and universities offering bacca-laureate degrees;
• Associate degree and certificate programs that prepare students for direct entry into occupations and careers;
• Preparatory programs and courses to strengthen students’ reading, writ-ing, and quantitative skills;
• General education experiences for each student that incorporate the best traditions of higher learning while addressing the educational demands of modern society; and
• Academic counseling, advising and tutoring to support identification and attainment of individual education objectives.
• A comprehensive array of high-quality continuing education courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and services for community residents and area employers which fulfill their current and emerging needs for personal enrichment, professional advancement, training, and retraining. • Support for the personal and intellectual growth of all students, faculty,
• Encouragement of a climate of diversity that does not accept the subor-dination of an individual or group based on race, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, economic status, or sexual orientation.
• Maintenance of an open admissions policy, making educational programs accessible to all who can benefit and investing in special efforts to enroll students who otherwise might not aspire to higher education.
• Keeping tuition, fees, and other charges affordable, and to develop and expand financial assistance to all eligible students.
• Encouragement of innovation in programs, services, and methods of in-struction that will respond to community needs, improve student learning, and contribute to student achievement and success.
• Offering a diversified program of student services, activities, and events that build leadership skills, promote social and emotional growth, and develop the personal aspirations of participants.
• Offering activities, events, and programs which contribute to the civic, cultural and aesthetic life of the community.
• Fostering cooperative relationships with other educational institutions, government agencies, community organizations, professional associations, and business and industry.
• Identifying and implementing appropriate technologies and methodologies to advance these goals.
• Evaluating the college’s success in meeting these goals, employing a variety of measurement techniques and using the results of evaluations to improve institutional effectiveness.
VISION STATEMENT
College Advisory Commissions
There are two types of advisory commissions: (1) Career advisory commis-sions are created to provide guidance and advice about professional industries and businesses; (2) Special advisory commissions are created as needed. They advise the college regularly on matters of concern or interest.
At a minimum, commissions meet twice per year. Members are routinely in-vited to the College in honor of their service.
Appointment of advisory commission members is an official act of the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the President. Commission members are appointed for a term of one to three years on a rotating basis and according to specific membership categories.
Advisory commissions serve the following functions:
• Liaison between the college and community: Professional, occupational or special service groups acquaint the college about industry needs; likewise, the college acquaints the community about programs and educational services; • Identify specific skills required for career-related programs or service; • Identify community resources that could help to support or contribute to
the success of college programs or services;
• Inform college faculty/staff members of changes in the economy and the labor market, including specific workforce needs and surpluses;
• Assess program and service needs; • Assess impact on the entire community; • Assist in recruiting students;
• Provide leads toward work experience and cooperative education opportu-nities for students and job opportuopportu-nities for graduates;
• Assist in disseminating information about college programs, activities, and services;
• Suggest ways and means to enhance the public image of the college and college-community relations;
• Recommend competent personnel to serve as adjunct faculty, guest lectur-ers/speakers and advisory commission members;
Definitions
Career Advisory Commissions
Career advisory commissions are created to provide guidance and advice about • established curricula
• designing new curricula for related careers, clusters or industries Special Advisory Commissions
Special advisory commissions are created as required, on either an ad hoc or permanent basis. They advise the college generally on designated areas of con-cern or interest.
Membership Categories
Each advisory commission consists of a minimum of five to a maximum of 15 members. The college requires each advisory commission to contain diverse representation and expertise. Appropriate representation of both genders and underrepresented minorities is desired. In addition, the follow-ing groups should be represented:
1. Students/alumni 2. Business/industry 3. Labor
4. Professional personnel 5. Special interest groups 6. Educators
7. Consumer/general public Officers
1. Chairperson: Each advisory commission has a chairperson who serves a one-year term and is eligible for reelection. A simple majority vote is needed.
Procedures
Establishment of an Advisory Commission
1. In response to new programs or industry needs, advisory commissions are established by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the President.
2. The proposal to establish an Advisory Commission includes the rationale for the commission, a list of recommended commission members and supporting biographical and demographic data to ensure the desired mix of professionals and persons of interest.
3. Upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the President or designee notifies the responsible Department/Division.
Appointment of Members
1. Appointments of new advisory commission members may be made at any time. All terms expire on June 30 of their respective ending term. Advice on appointments or reappointments may be received from anyone, but recom-mendations are submitted through the advisory commission secretary only. 2. The commission secretary prepares the Recommendation for Appointment
form and biographical sketch of the nominee.
3. Reappointments are handled in the same manner as appointments, but a separate form is used. A notation about the member’s attendance and high-lights of his or her contributions to the commission are noted on the form. 4. The secretary submits the recommendation for appointment or
reappoint-ment and the biographic sketch through the VPAA, or responsible member of the Executive Team.
Meetings and Responsibilities of Officers
1. The VPAA or designee is responsible for distributing the MCCC Advisory Commission Handbook and other relevant information about the college to new members.
2. The commission secretary has administrative responsibility for the advi-sory commission.
3. The responsible division dean ensures that commission meetings are scheduled and conducted.
4. Minutes of every meeting (a record of what was accomplished rather than verbatim account of proceedings) are promptly submitted to the respon-sible division dean, VPAA and the President’s office.
5. Minutes are reviewed at subsequent meetings and corrections or changes recorded.
6. The responsible division dean is expected to attend and participate in at least one meeting of each individual commission representing his or her division during the year.
7. College faculty and staff are given opportunities to suggest agenda items to the commission chairperson or secretary and to attend commission meetings. 8. Deans are responsible for maintaining their respective commissions’
cur-rency and ensuring their effectiveness.
Recommendations
1. Commission recommendations are submitted to the responsible dean or faculty for action and follow up.
Mercer County Community College
Board of Trustees
David Applebaum Dr. Mary Lou Armiger Anthony J. Cimino
Reverend William E. Coleman, Jr., Chair Robert DiFalco, Treasurer
Dr. Patricia C. Donohue, President, Secretary Marvin Gardner, Esq.
Gwendolyn L. Harris Pamela Hersh
Mark Matzen, Vice Chair Dr. Samuel B. Stewart
Rocky Peterson, Esq., College Counsel Ernst Renondeau, Alumni Trustee
Mercer County Executive
Hon. Brian M. Hughes Board of Chosen Freeholders Hon. Don Benson
Hom. John A. Cimino Hon. Keith V. Hamilton
Hon. Pasquale (Pat) Colavita, Jr. Hon. Ann M. Cannon
Executive Team
Patricia Donohue, President
Donald Generals, Vice President Academic Affairs Beverly Richardson, Vice President College Advancement
Jacob Eapen, Vice President Administration & Chief Business Officer Jose Fernandez, Executive Director Compliance & Human Resources L. Diane Campbell, Executive Dean, Student Affairs
