Self

Abstract

The rising costs of textbooks may be a barrier to student access, and most of those books are not well-suited for CIS150AB students. Traditional textbook authors approach coding from a Computer Science perspective, which doesn’t quite align with the occupational nature of CIS150AB. And while technical reading is a critical skill for professional programmers, the depth of these textbooks results in large chapters that may be intimidating to students.

EMCC Testing Services wants to increase the number of students who are able to successfully utilize their study path within EdReady to test out of CRE 101.  Testing Services staff will keep data on students who inquire about EdReady testing, check their scores, and reach out to those who haven’t increased their scores on the Critical Reading & Critical Thinking test.

WorkWise Academy is a four-part professional development series designed specifically for part-time and federal work-study staff to bridge the gap between their current roles and future career goals. This cross-collaborative effort included Career and Transfer Center, Center for Workforce and Experiential Learning and Counseling representatives. During the Fall 2025 student affairs pilot cohort, the program focused on fostering an environment that supports individual growth and professional potential.

Choice matters! I responded to student feedback that they wished we had more time for certain niche topics in a large survey course. I replaced two of my personal niche topics with the chance for them to explore topics that interested them. This improved submission rates, the overall quality of the assignments, and student satisfaction without compromising the overall learning objectives. 

Introductory biology courses serve as a foundation for upper-division coursework and are expected to develop not only content knowledge but also essential skills such as note-taking, organization, and conceptual understanding. A persistent challenge in BIO156 is that students struggle to identify key information, organize their notes, and connect concepts, often relying on memorization of isolated facts. This limitation affects their ability to apply knowledge and create effective study tools, such as exam cheat sheets.

This assessment evaluates the effectiveness of the 2026 Earth Forward Event, hosted at Estrella Mountain Community College, in supporting student learning related to environmental literacy, sustainability, and engagement with career pathways in life sciences and conservation.

FA and Outreach have fully implemented this new process and will continue exploring additional opportunities to make it even more seamless for students and for the staff who process Concurrent Maricopa Grants.

I changed the organization of most of my HUM and ENH classes so that students were compiling their responses into one Weekly Report at the end of the module. This has made grading easier for me, and it has helped students see a connection between the various activities and has caused them to value the Learning activities more highly.

Traditional grading practices often fail to measure learning in the way instructors intend, as they can be influenced by subjectivity and implicit bias. These systems frequently turn grades into a form of negotiation, creating an adversarial relationship between students and instructors rather than a collaborative one. As a result, traditional grading can heighten student stress and anxiety while discouraging creativity, critical thinking, and cooperative learning.