Texas State Technical College Harlingen provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission. The institution "is committed to providing the educational tools that enable students to improve their quality of life and achieve their potential" (Expanded Statement of Purpose [Ref 1]. This Expanded Statement of Purpose specifies the outcomes the student development programs, services, and activities work to achieve to enhance the educational experience of the students.
The administrator responsible for the development, operation, and coordination of student development Student Affairs programs is Vice President for Student Development, Servando J. Villarreal [Ref 2]. The Vice President oversees all units within the student development division, and works closely with the Housing Office and the Public Information Office's Student Publications to provide a comprehensive and integrated delivery system of all non-instructional programs, services, and activities. As such, he ensures adherence to the Student Development Divisions Purpose statement:
"TSTC Harlingen's Student Development programs are designed to promote student development that encourages active learning in all social, physical, intellectual, and cultural arenas to nurture the student's total growth as a supplement to instructional curriculum and courses. The services provided are designed to prepare students to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive and challenging future in both their academic careers and as active, contributing citizens of their communities." [Ref 3]
TSTC Harlingen's numerous support programs, services, and activities--most of which publicize and communicate their functions and services on individual web sites--are categorized and listed in a linked table [Ref 4]. A review of the scope of services provided and their intent demonstrates that they are all consistent with the college's legislated mission and Expanded Statement of Purpose, as well as the Purpose Statement for the Student Development division.
TSTC Harlingen's student support programs, services, and activities "promote student learning and enhance the total growth and development of students." The Student Development division has always relied on the institutional effectiveness process to evaluate the extent to which students believed their experiences out of the classroom helped enhance their total educational experience, as well as help mold attitudes, behaviors and beliefs. In an effort to reinforce the need to focus on specific student development outcomes in all student support programs, services, and activities, the student development division worked throughout the 2002 and 2003 academic years to create a student development assessment model that emphasizes development of 18 student outcomes. Using the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) for Student Affairs Programs [Ref 5], conducting focus groups and retreats for student development personnel, and conducting a literature review of "best practices," employees within the student development division adopted eighteen expected outcomes that the division will work together to promote and develop. Each program, service, and activity targets one of the 18 developmental student outcomes adopted by the division. The table in [Ref 6] demonstrates how each student development unit has adopted selected student development outcomes as the primary factors they can affect. For additional information about the assessment cycles and the quality and effectiveness of the institution's Student Development programs, see Comprehensive Standards - Programs 3.9.3.
TSTC Harlingen's Student Development Division's purpose statement, as well as the eighteen student development outcomes adopted by the division, specify the ways in which the institution's student support programs, services, and activities promote student growth and development in accordance with its mission statement and Expanded Statement of Purpose. In the outline below, a handful of the college's many programs and activities are used to illustrate how as a group they conform to these principles.
...promoting student intellect;
...promoting realistic appraisal of self;
- Student activities (Ms. TSTC, Student Government, Campus Clubs, Cultural activities)
- Recreational sports (karate, dance team)
- Career assessment and exploration
...enhancing the self-esteem of students;
- Support Services provides workshops and support groups for special needs students
- Recreational sports (Karate, dance team, sports)
- Student activities (Ms. TSTC, Student Government)
...assisting students develop a better understanding of their personal values;
- Student activities (Student Government)
- Campus Organizations (Humanities and Arts Society)
- Recreational Sports and competitions.
...guiding students to make appropriate career choices;
- Career interest inventory, career assessment and advisement.
- Accommodations for special needs students
- Campus organizations
...enhancing students' abilities to relate meaningfully to others;
- Individual, supportive counseling
- Support services (workshops and groups)
- Recreational sports (basketball, softball)
...promoting behaviors that allow students to function in socially responsible ways;
- Health services (STD's AIDS, Drugs, Alcohol)
- Campus organizations
- Recreational sports
...promoting students to engage in satisfying and productive lifestyles;
- Individual, supportive counseling
- Campus organizations
- Support services (special needs students, non-traditional careers)
...promoting the development of effective communication skills;
- Support Services (workshops, seminars)
- Student activities (Ms. TSTC, Student Government)
- Campus organizations
...providing activities that promote physical fitness, health, and wellness;
- Health services promotes awareness of proper nutrition and health (health fairs, immunization clinics)
- Recreational Sports (Aerobics, weight training)
...equipping students with the abilities to work independently and with others;
- Student activities (Student government)
- Recreational sports (individual, team)
- Campus organizations
...increasing cultural awareness and the appreciation of diversity;
- Student Activities (Hispanic Heritage, Black History, Italian Fest, Asian Fest, Irish Fest)
...encouraging students to persevere in the achievement of their personal goals;
- Student activities (Student Government, Workshops, conferences)
- Campus organizations
- Recreational sports
- Support services (Women's History)
...developing leadership skills;
- BPA (Business Professionals of America)
- USA-Skills VICA (Vocational Clubs of America)
- Phi Theta Kappa
- Student Government
...providing assistance to students transitioning into various stages of life;
- Individual, supportive counseling
- Academic and career counseling
- College Information (programs, admissions process)
- Financial aid (resources need for education)
...equipping and increasing students understanding of the benefit of accessing available opportunities;
- Individual, supportive counseling
- Financial Aid assistance with resources
- Career counseling
...promoting student engagement in the cultural and social climate of the college;
- Student activities (Techsan Day, Dances, cultural activities, housing party)
- Recreational sports
...enhancing student understanding of institutional policies and procedures;
- Student Handbook
- Student catalog
- Mustang Messenger
- College Websites
The above examples and the table containing the list of TSTC Harlingen's student support programs, services, and activities provide the focus of the student development efforts at the college that in turn promote student learning and enhance the total growth and development of its students. The Student Development Assessment Plans (SDAP) [Ref 7] outline the methods the student development division uses to assess their progress towards achievement of their intended outcomes. This, coupled with the following data sources, provide information student development department leaders need to adjust programs, services and activities as necessary to improve the total growth and development of students. Refer to Comprehensive Standards - Programs 3.9.3 for more information about the sources used to demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of the institutions student support programs, services, and activities.
