Program Review

Program review is the process used to evaluate how well we are serving our collective mission in each of our program and service areas, as well as to identify goals and resources needed to continue meeting the needs of our diverse community. The primary goal of the program review process is to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs so that the college can make informed decisions about budget and other campus priorities. This is our collective time to reflect on our goals and achievements and strategically plan for the way forward. While Program Review is conducted by authorization of the SBVC Academic Senate, it is vital that we evaluate all of our campus programs and processes as we all contribute meaningfully to the experience of students and our wider campus community.

2023-24 ASPIRE Process

The process for program review and requesting resources has been revised in recent years in response to findings that the process has been biased and difficult to complete. The Program Review Committee worked diligently to develop a new process to better support all users to meaningfully engage in the review and request process. After a pilot version in Spring 2023, the new ASPIRE process is being conducted campus-wide in Fall 2023. This is year is year one of our new annual program review process called ASPIRE: All Services and Programs Institutional Resources & Engagement. 

Click here to view the Program Review Committee 2022-23 Annual Report including SWOT Program Efficacy Pilot Results.

The Program Review process has been re-envisioned as a more collaborative process to evaluate each program from a variety of perspectives across a six-year time frame. Each year in the ASPIRE process, every department on campus will conduct an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) impacting the work being done, then use the results to guide planning and requests for resources. Every year the focus of the SWOT analysis changes, allowing us to consider multiple aspects of program performance while focusing on only one piece at a time. The entire six-year cycle is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the program or area's strengths and opportunities for growth through a continuous process of deep-dive inquiry. The graphic and text below outline the entire process.

Flow chart with accompanying text overviewing the ASPIRE six-year process

Year One: Area Description and Mission, Vision, and Values

In Year One, we start by crafting a description of your program or area and considering how your service or institutional area or program serves the College's Mission, Vision, and Values. 

Years One through Six Cycle:

SWOT Analysis: Each year we will consider your program or area's strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats with respect to the following aspects:

  • Year 1 (2023): Program or Area Overview
  • Year 2 (2024): Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
  • Year 3 (2025): Demand and Currency
  • Year 4 (2026): Productivity and Growth
  • Year 5 (2027): Outcomes Assessment Analysis
  • Year 6 (2028): Reflection

Goals: Considering the results of your SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, work with your area to identify your program or area's goals and action steps for achieving those goals.

TOASTs: We also want to TOAST with you: Triumphs, Outcomes, Analysis, Spotlight, Training, Share! Share a few great things about your program from the past year so we can collectively celebrate!

Attestations: Finally, attest to completing outcomes assessment, curriculum review and currency, and CTE demand and industry standard quality performance, as applicable.

Breaking down this complex and comprehensive program review process over the six-year span allows us to consider how we are doing and redirect our goals and plans each year. This not only should this ease the burden on both those conducting the review and those serving on the committee and reading the reports, but we hope to cultivate a collective campus culture around annual reflection and strategizing for continuous improvement. 

Cohorts/Teams

The ASPIRE process is designed to be completed in a guided cohort structure with mentorship, support, and discussion throughout the fall semester. Cohorts or Teams (as you prefer) consist of 7 or 8 team members and have been strategically structured to encourage the sharing of diverse cross-campus perspectives in discussion. To the best of our ability, each team includes at least:

  • Student Services professional
  • CTE Instructional faculty
  • Transfer Instructional faculty
  • Administration
  • At least 1 committee member facilitator or coach to support and facilitate
  • Up to 3 other members from different divisions if possible

Some participating individuals also completed the Spring 2023 Pilot of this process, and as such may be able to serve as additional support in their team. Our goal was to create diverse groups where we can share collective wisdom and grapple with the challenges we face as a community. 

2023-24 Timeline

Date Event or Deadline Time Location
8/10/23 ASPIRE Process with Resource Requests Opening Workshop 9:00 – 11:30 am B100
8/18/23 Using META to submit ASPIRE & Resource Requests Workshop 9:00 – 10:30 am LIB-109 & Zoom
9/15/23 Connecting with the College Mission, Vision, and Values Workshop 9:00 – 10:30 am B-100
9/29/23 Using Data to Conduct a Program SWOT Analysis Workshop 9:00 – 10:30 am Zoom
10/20/23 SWOT Informed Goals and Planning Workshop 9:00 – 10:30 am B-100
11/17/23 Submitting Resource Requests through ASPIRE Workshop 9:00 – 10:30 am Zoom
1/10/24 ASPIRE + Resource Requests Final Workshop 12:30 – 3:00 pm B-100
1/17/24 Resource Requests due in META 5 pm META 
1/18/24 Resource Requests sent to Deans for Division Review and Program Review for prioritizing requests    Available in META
2/16/24 Optional Listening Session: 3 minutes to share information with the Program Review Committee regarding requests 9:00 – 10:30 am* PCR
2/28/24 Division rankings due to Program Review Committee 12:00 noon Email to co-chairs
3/1/24 Optional Listening Session: 3 minutes to share information with the Program Review Committee regarding requests 9:00 – 10:30 am* PCR
3/15/24 Prioritization of requests is finalized by Program Review Committee and submitted to President’s Cabinet, College Council, Academic Senate, Managers, and Department Chairs    
TBD College Council completes funding process    
TBD Funding results are reported to Academic Senate, Managers, and Department Chairs    
*Please notify Program Committee Chairs by Monday prior of plans to present during a listening session so the committee can best plan our agenda

Guidelines & Resources

Additional details and resources to support program writers can be found in the Program Review Canvas Page. To join the Canvas page, please click here and follow the directions: https://sbccd.instructure.com/enroll/PFPXA8 

The following documents may be helpful as you work through the ASPIRE process for 2023-24:

Questions or comments can be directed to Program Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Joanna Oxendine and Dr. Dani Graham.