Quality Enhancement Plan

What is a QEP?

A Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a SACS Commission on Colleges requirement for reaffirmation of accreditation. It is a long-range project that improves student learning and/or the environment that supports student learning.

What is SCF’s QEP?

QEP R3: right place, right time, right person is a five-year, three-part plan that focuses on improving student engagement and success by changing the learning environment at SCF:

Create a Faculty Mentor program: First-time-in-college (FTIC) students who are enrolled in gateway mathematics and English courses will be paired with Faculty Mentors for the fall and spring semesters of their first year.

Create an Early Alert system: The performance of FTIC students in select gateway mathematics and English courses will be monitored and reported by faculty teaching those courses. If students demonstrate deficiencies or lack of progress in the first half of the term, faculty will notify the student, Faculty Mentor, and Student Success Coordinator, who can intervene, offer assistance and/or refer them to the proper resource or service.

Increase awareness and access to Resources: Through both the Faculty Mentor program and Early Alert system, FTIC students will be connected to learning support resources and student support services available to them at SCF. In addition, the plan will create customized learning modules to help students improve skills necessary for success in gateway courses and enhance their college experience.

How will QEP R3 benefit our students?

The goals of the plan are to help students 1) build relationships with advisers and the campus community, 2) create educational plans and set academic and career goals, and 3) increase their awareness and use of academic and student support services. 

Who will be involved?

The plan requires the participation of administration, staff, faculty, and students. Year 1 is devoted to establishing the necessary infrastructure for the plan, which will include the creation of a QEP Implementation Team and four sub-teams: 

• Assessment
• Faculty Mentor Professional Training
• Early Alert Development
• Resources/Academic Achievement (REACH) Student Support

In the Year 2 pilot on the Bradenton campus, 240 students in 8 gateway mathematics and English classes will be paired with 9 to 10 Faculty Mentors (FMs) for the fall and spring semesters. In Year 3, the plan will expand to include 445 students in 15 classes across all three SCF campuses and 17 to 18 FMs. Year 4 will include 600 students in 20 classes with 24 FMs, and Year 5 will include 755 students in 25 classes with 30 FMs.  

How can I be part of the QEP?

If you would like to know more about the QEP or be part of one of the development and implementation teams, contact the QEP Coordinator.