Langara’s Culture of Program Review
As Langara College begins our work on our Quality Assurance Process Audit (QAPA), it is important to note that program review is already part of our culture. Since 2014/15, TCDC facilitators have worked tirelessly with our community to build a cross-campus community engaged in program review and appreciative inquiry. These efforts have resulted in rich discussion, collaborative curriculum changes, detailed self-studies and follow-up action plans. This outstanding work has created the solid foundation upon which we will build the next iteration of program review to meet current Ministry requirements.
I’d like to show my appreciation to the many colleagues in TCDC who have supported this fine work, including Patricia Cia, Janet Douglas, June Parnell, Julie Longo, James Martin, Susan Watt, Sarah Bowers and the Curriculum Consultants.
Many of our programs have completed Action Plans as part of the first round of program review. Let’s acknowledge these programs who have made this effort. They include:
- Anthropology & Sociology
- Asian Studies
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Classical Studies (including Latin)
- Canadian Studies
- Film Arts
- Fine Arts
- Geography & Geology
- History
- Health Sciences
- Journalism
- Kinesiology
- Mathematics & Statistics
- School of Management
- Professional Photography
- Political Science
- Publishing
- Women’s Studies
As Langara prepares for QAPA, our academic community will continue to build upon this great work and expand program review across the College. Beginning this academic year, the college will accommodate even more program reviews on a per annum basis, with a target of eight reviews per year to fulfill Ministry requirements. Each program review will be driven by faculty and lead by our Deans.
Those participating in the review process will find that it has been streamlined so that less time will be spent in conducting reviews, while satisfying the expectations outlined by QAPA.
Over the next few weeks, there will be many opportunities to learn about the next phase of program review at the College. While we will be launching these new initiatives over the next year, at this time please join me in celebrating TCDC and all of the programs that have contributed to our successes in program review by developing our culture of continuous quality improvement connected to the curriculum life-cycle.
Dr. Ben Cecil
Provost & Vice-President Academic and Students
