Program Review
Purpose
The purpose of Program Review at Navajo Technical University is to promote systematic review and evaluation of academic programs. It is central to NTU's mission, planning, academic programming, and continuous improvement.
Focus
The Program Review Committee and Deans conduct a thorough Self-Study of each academic program every five years using the Program Review Process. The review focuses on the following:
- Curriculum
- Student data
- Program assessment and improvements
- Strengths and challenges
- Faculty
- Recognition
- Cost
Cycle
Each academic program is reviewed on a five-year cycle. The schedule is developed in consultation with Department Chairs and Deans. Under exceptional circumstances and with the approval of the Deans, a review may be extended or postponed. When possible, the schedule is coordinated with other review(s) and accreditation obligations.
Process
The Program Review process includes five steps: 1) Planning, 2) Self-Study, 3) Hearing, 4) Analysis of Findings, and 5) Recommendations to the President's Cabinet.
Planning. Program Review is initiated each academic year by the Deans. In the preceding spring semester, Department Chairs are reminded as to the programs scheduled for review in the subsequent year. Early in fall semester, for programs scheduled for review, chairs, program advisors, and faculty attend an orientation workshop.
Self-Study. A Self-Study is completed for each program that undergoes Program Review. A Self-Study Team consisting of Program Advisor(s) and Faculty is assigned by the appropriate Department Chair, who is ultimately responsible for the completion of each Self-Study under her or his purview. Self-Study Teams complete items assigned to them in the Program Review template; other items are completed by persons and offices as indicated in the template. Self-Studies must be completed by the end of fall semester.
The Program Review template is housed in NTU's Google Drive to allow for multiple authors to work on the report simultaneously.
Hearing. This is conducted by the Program Review Committee and scheduled and convened in spring semester by the Deans. Each Self-Study Team presents its findings to the University community.
Analysis of findings. The Program Review Committee produces a summary report that highlights the following:
- Recruitment and retention of faculty and students
- Graduation rates
- Programs quality
- Student learning assessment
- Teaching and academic outreach efforts of the faculty
- Fiscal efficacy
- Action plans
The summary report is responsive to other issues that come up in the course of the reviews. The Program Review Committee makes specific recommendations for improvement of the quality of programs reviewed, as well as identify those aspects of the programs that are exemplary.
Self-Study team members are surveyed at the conclusion of the Program Review process identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improving Program Review as a whole.
Report to the President's Cabinet. The final step in the Program Review process is the preparation of a summary report on the year’s Program Reviews for the President's Cabinet. The summary report is prepared by the Program Review Committee and includes: a) description of programs reviewed; b) procedures used in the review process; c) major findings and conclusions for each program; d) future plans for each program; e) follow-up monitoring and reporting plans, as appropriate; and finally, f) strengths, challenges, and recommendations for improving the Program Review process. Data summaries are appended to the narrative. A copy of the report is available to the entire University community.
Program Review Guides
Summary Reports
Program Review Committee Members
Applied Technology: Anusuya Vellingiri
Arts and Humanities: Kelly Dinéyazhe-Hunter
Business: Tilda Harrison-Woody
Diné Studies: TBD
Engineering, Math, and Technology: Henry Fowler
Science: Abraham Meles, Thiago Soundappan (chairperson)
Business Office: Twilia Chavez, Cheryl Thompson, Sylvia Tyler
Career Services: Andrea Wilson
Human Resources: Brenda Tom
Institutional Research: Sheena Begay
Student Learning: Daniel McLaughlin