Montgomery County Community College

Academic Affairs

Board of Trustees Policy

Purpose

To assist in ensuring quality, relevant, coherent and innovative curricula, each career program (AAS and noncredit) or cluster of related career programs at the College has an Academic Program Advisory Committee (Committee) comprised of experts in the respective discipline(s) who by majority represent external constituencies/key stakeholders. These non-governing bodies provide counsel/advice to the faculty and administration without legislative authority and compensation.

Responsibilities

Fundamentally, the Committees will:

• Advise faculty, deans, and directors on curricula and related academic matters.
• Support Academic Program Review and, if appropriate, accreditation self-study.
• Provide valuable insight into current and projected industry standards, employment competencies, and professional trends.
• Serve as Program and/or College ambassadors.
• Serve as resources to the College for initiatives such as academic equipment, fundraising, program development, job placement, student internship/cooperative educational opportunities, community engagement activities, and faculty recruitment.

Membership

1. In consultation with the appropriate coordinator(s), the respective dean(s) and/or director(s) will make recommendations to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost regarding composition, charges, and inaugural membership of each Committee at the time of career program or cluster inception.
   1. The number of members should range from 9 to 15 unless mandated otherwise by an accrediting body.
   2. Membership ideally is comprised of diverse demographic representation from academia, business/industry, and the public and private sector.
   3. Appointment is for a 3-year renewable term with no more than 33% of membership being replaced in a given year.
   4. Membership must include 1 full-time faculty, 1 full-time administrator, and 1 alumnus of the College.
      1. One student may be appointed, if appropriate.
      2. A part-time faculty member may be appointed, if the College does not employ full-time faculty in the discipline.
      3. All faculty and administrators associated with the career program or cluster are encouraged to attend meetings as non-voting participants.
   5. Committee charges will support/advance the College’s Strategic Plan.
   6. Committee composition including membership and charge outcomes will be assessed annually by the dean(s) and/or director(s) in consultation with the appropriate coordinator(s). Written recommendation for the ensuing academic year for both will be made by the dean(s) and/or director(s), in consultation with the appropriate coordinator(s), to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost by June 15.
   7. The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost will confirm new appointments and charges by June 30th for the ensuing academic year.

2. Each Committee will have Officers that will each serve a 2-year renewable term.
   1. The Chairperson will be elected by the members prior to the year of leadership service. He/she will preside at all meetings and plan the meeting agendas in concert with the appropriate program or cluster administrator(s). The Chairperson cannot be a College employee.
   2. The Vice Chairperson will be elected by the members prior to the year of leadership service. He/she will assume the Chairperson responsibilities when absent as well as will fulfill other duties as assigned. The Vice Chairperson cannot be a College employee.
   3. The Secretary will be appointed by the dean(s) and must be the Committee’s full-time faculty or administrative member. He/she will facilitate Committee operations including meeting logistics and record keeping as well as provide support to the Chairperson.

3. Each Committee will meet, at minimum, two times per academic year. Based on the needs of the career program or cluster, additional meetings may be scheduled.