General Education

Through the requirements of the general education coursework for associate degrees at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, students are introduced to areas of knowledge outside of their majors, specifically in the domains of: English and public speaking; humanities and fine arts; science and mathematics; and social and behavior sciences.

Key Competencies

Upon close examination of the general education core curriculum for all associate degree programs of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, the college has identified five competencies as key indicators of student success. As a large multi-campus institution, the college selected broad-based outcomes to more easily clarify and communicate learning priorities to faculty, students, and other stakeholders of the institution.

The General Education Assessment Committee used a number of resources to articulate what all students who graduate from the institution should be able to demonstrate, represent, or produce. The competencies were supported by the committee's inspection of all program assessment plans, curriculum mapping of core competencies, and evaluation of core curriculum education requirements. Outcomes are listed and defined below.

• Written Communication: The institution defines effective written communication as the ability to use the conventions of standard written English in structure, strategy, organization, and style.
• Mathematical Problem Solving: The institution defines mathematical problem solving as the ability to know basic concepts and apply appropriate mathematical skills to solve problems.
• Oral Communication: The institution defines effective oral communication as the process of creating a central idea and purpose, using an appropriate organizational pattern for the communication purpose, presenting in appropriate verbal and nonverbal language, and adopting to the audience and context.
• Critical Thinking: The institution defines critical thinking as consisting of active mental processes that lead to the discernment, analysis, evaluation, interpretation, and application of information in problem solving. The purpose of critical thought can be to reach a solution or to obtain a judgment based on careful reflection.
• Application of Technology: The institution expects graduates to be able to utilize the software that is appropriate for their academic coursework. This includes, but is not limited to, file management, use of e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, and software application have been identified as the core characteristics of those graduates considered technically competent.

The institution recognizes the general education component as the foundation for all specific programs of study at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. A graduate.s ability to achieve proficient levels in these five categories is essential for continued success as a transfer student to a four-year university or successful entry into today.s workforce.

Rubric Development

As part of the methodology for the assessment of general education competencies, all programs developed student learning outcomes and assessments for each identified competency. To ensure consistency of expectations for student performance, rubric assessment instruments were developed through a collaborative effort of the College Wide Assessment Committee and the General Education Assessment Committee.

The college-wide rubrics provide direct evidence for the assessment of student learning outcomes within general education. The rubrics also enhance data reliability and ensure learning is assessed at a college level. The rubrics are linked below.

• Written Communications Rubric
• Mathematical Problem Solving Holistic Rubric
• Oral Communications Rubric
• Critical Thinking Rubric
• Application of Technology Rubric

General Education Assessment Committee

The General Education Assessment Committee identified the college-level general eduation competencies for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The committee also facilitates, reviews

Dr. Jim Dunn	Science Instructor/Chairperson
james.dunn@mgccc.edu
Wayne Taylor	Physical Education Instructor
wayne.taylor@mgccc.edu
Dr. Pat West	Speech Communications Instructor
patricia.west@mgccc.edu
Elaine Davis	Career Counselor and Special Projects
elaine.davis@mgccc.edu
Debbie Kelner	Social Studies Full-Time Online Instructor
deborah.kelner@mgccc.edu
Jean Scafide	Computer Science Instructor
jean.scafide@mgccc.edu
Gloria Smith	Special Populations and Student Support Counselor
gloria.smith@mgccc.edu
Deloris Compston	Health Instructor
deloris.compston@mgccc.edu
Jason Ross	Mathematics Instructor
jason.ross@mgccc.edu
Kay Bethea	Language Arts and Reading Instructor
kay.bethea@mgccc.edu
Karla Smith	Social Studies Instructor
karla.smith@mgccc.edu
Rex Moak	Science Instructor
rex.moak@mgccc.edu

College-Wide Assessment Committee

The Institution's assessment committee provides faculty leadership for assessment activities of all academic departments, associate degree nursing, and career and technical instruction. The committee works in tandem with the General Education Assessment Committee to facility accountability of general education outcomes for all programs offered at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Angela Bryan	Computer Programming/Networking Instructor
angela.bryan@mgccc.edu
Brenda Hunter	Funeral Services Instructor
brenda.hunter@mgccc.edu
Debra Matthews	Electrical Instructor
debra.matthews@mgccc.edu
Dr. Frances Marchette	Science Instructor
frances.marchette@mgccc.edu
Steven Brown	Computer Science Instructor
steven.brown@mgccc.edu
Dr. Joanna Burnside	Music Instructor
joanna.burnside@mgccc.edu
Kirk Drennen	Electronics Instructor
kirk.drennen@mgccc.edu
Linda Fayard	Social Studies Instructor
linda.fayard@mgccc.edu
Sandra Murphy	Associate Degree Nursing Instructor
sandra.murphy@mgccc.edu
Suzi Brown	English Instructor
suzana.brown@mgccc.edu
Sydney Fletcher	Business Instructor
sydney.fletcher@mgccc.edu