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Western Wyoming Community College has identified five significant goals for student success to help students develop abilities that will prepare them to succeed in the world today and meet the challenges of the future. These goals are addressed in courses across the curriculum at Western, and methods of instruction and assessment are varied. Being aware of these goals as students pursue their education at Western will aid them as they work to demonstrate these abilities within various courses and contexts of college life.
Communicate Competently
Communicating competently requires the ability to express ideas clearly and effectively, receive meaning, and interpret ideas through various modes of communication. Although listening, computer, and group communication skills are essential when communicating, speaking and writing are considered the primary methods necessary for professional and personal success.
Retrieve Information
The ability to retrieve information is essential today, where the vast amount of knowledge in any discipline is impossible to learn and keep within the human memory. Identifying, evaluating, and using reliable resources from various sources, such as libraries, databases, the internet, and interviews gives students the skills to know how and where to locate the material necessary to help them professionally and personally.
See Issues from Multiple Perspectives
Seeing issues from multiple perspectives and thinking about consequences is essential in a global and diverse society. Global views and an understanding of the diversity in work, people, and life allow students to be productive in their communities and the world. Students must be aware that the exact words and actions have different meanings to different groups of people. Therefore, to succeed, one must become more aware of and recognize these differing perspectives to avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication. Recognizing and objectively evaluating different points of view is essential for professional and personal success.
Solve Problems
Solving problems using critical thinking skills is essential for students to make connections and understand the different information and situations throughout life. In today’s global and diverse world, students must understand and apply specific methods for solving problems within various contexts and disciplines. The ability to implement a problem-solving strategy, participate in group learning activities, and engage in active, “hands-on,” and experiential learning is necessary for students to be successful in their professional and personal lives.
Develop Life Skills
Developing life skills is essential for students to make decisions and follow through. Life skills are necessary to interact with people in today’s global and diverse world. The ability to identify, reflect, and plan on educational, career, and life goals, use resources to improve personal wellness, and attend or participate in artistic, cultural, and recreational events or extracurricular activities is necessary for students to be successful in their professional and personal lives. Students will learn that the responsibility, the decisions, and the consequences of balancing classwork, recreation, work, and family lie with each individual.
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