College-Wide Competencies

It is fundamental that students be competent within their specific academic discipline. In addition to program specific competencies, all students earning an associate degree will acquire skills and competencies that are integrated throughout the curriculum and student life. Specifically, students will develop an ability to do the following:

Think Critically
Students will be able to objectively analyze problems or issues, make adjustments to their thinking, and present effective explanations or solutions.
Communicate Effectively
Students will be able to demonstrate the expressive and receptive abilities to appropriately perceive ideas and information using a variety of modalities (oral/written, verbal/nonverbal).
Apply Quantitative Reasoning
Students will be able to analyze data, apply mathematical techniques, formulate, translate and solve equations, and draw conclusions in solving real-world problems.
Participate Cooperatively within a Team
Students will be able to collaborate on in-class, out-of-class or virtual group projects or lab assignments to promote positive and respectful relationships while accomplishing work tasks in a variety of modalities. Cooperative participation involves communicating effectively, respecting other group members’ ideas and contributions, and meeting/exceeding one’s own contributory responsibilities.
Use Current Technology Effectively
Students will be able to select, use and integrate those technologies that will have the most significant impact on their learning, productivity and performance.
Apply Information Literacy Skills
Students will be able to access, evaluate and use information effectively and ethically to meet lifelong professional and personal needs.
Analyze Human Diversity
Students will learn about people, groups or societies different from their own. Students will recognize how race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, genetic information, family or marital status, socio-economic status or any other protected class under applicable local, state or federal law affects a person’s life experience.
Apply Scientific Reasoning
Students will utilize empirically verifiable observations, repeatable experiments/testable hypotheses to explain natural phenomena.
Evaluate Ethical Aspects of Decision Making
Students will be able to evaluate the legal and humanistic consequences of decision-making. It is the college’s belief that in acquiring these competencies students will develop confidence in their academic potential and recognize their own strengths and limitations.