SECTION EJ.1

INSTRUCTION
ADVISORY ROLE OF FACULTY

ADVISORY ROLE OF FACULTY

Navarro College recognizes the critical advisory role faculty play in creating academic activities that empower students to achieve their personal, academic and career goals and that promote lifelong learning for all communities served.

In addition to teaching responsibilities, the faculty has the primary advisory role for such fundamental areas as curriculum, subject matter, methods of instruction, and other matters directly related to teaching and learning.  The faculty also recommend the requirements for degrees and certificates. These are accomplished through Academic Council and institutional effectiveness measures such as assessment of student learning outcomes (SLOs), program learning outcomes (PLOs), core objectives, and annual and comprehensive program reviews.

The College also recognizes that faculty are an integral component in the operation and success of the College.  As such, faculty serve the institution and its mission through activities that transcend the classroom.  These activities include:

Department Chairs and Program Directors/Coordinators: Department Chairs and Program Directors/Coordinators work with the Deans to ensure course offerings reflect student needs, recommend necessary instructional resources, and maintain positive communication and coordination with adjunct faculty. Examples of Department Chair/ Program Director responsibilities may differ from division to division, and may include:

  • Conduct program reviews

  • Manage and document efforts to continuously improve student learning through the assessment process.

  • Collaborate with the Dean to develop departmental schedules and teaching assignments as requested.

  • Collaborate with the Dean to identify instructional resources (fiscal, technical, and human) consistent with delivering quality instruction.

  • Ensure resources and mentoring are available to new full-time and adjunct faculty

  • Serve on search committees, as requested, to assist in screening and hiring qualified full-time and adjunct faculty

  • Serve on search committees, as requested, to assist in screening and hiring qualified academic administrators

  • Assist in training of new full-time and adjunct faculty

  • Coordinate textbook adoption and communicate selection of books and other instructional materials to full-time and adjunct faculty and coordinate training as appropriate.

  • Monitor and evaluate departmental courses to ensure alignment with the ACGM / WECM / UCDM course inventories.

  • Monitor and evaluate departmental course syllabi to ensure alignment with the College catalog, assessment practices, and adopted principles of an effective syllabus.

  • Maintain the departmental/program organization in Canvas.

  • Seek input from the faculty and provide effective communication to promote morale and collegiality within the department, the division, and the College community.

  • Coordinate and lead departmental meetings.

  • Assist in compliance with SACSCOC standards, state and national guidelines, and program specific accrediting standards.

  • Plan and coordinate the teaching/learning process in the department.

  • As applicable, assist in recruiting students and business and industry partners.

  • Present curricula change requests to Academic Council

  • Collaborate with departmental faculty to determine course content and grading standards.

  • Encourage initiative and innovation in teaching methods and techniques within the department.

 

New Faculty Appointments: Full-time faculty are actively involved in the recommendation of new faculty.  Faculty are appointed to screening and interview committees as part of the new faculty selection process.

 

Committees: Faculty serve on a number of committees at the college in the furtherance of its mission.  Some of these include:

  • Academic Council

  • Campus Safety

  • Scholarship committees

  • SACSCOC committees

  • Strategic Planning Committee

  • Safety Committee

  • Hiring Committees

  • QEP

  • Ad hoc

 

FACULTY ASSOCIATION

The Faculty Association and Faculty Association Executive Committee shall exist at the sole discretion of the Navarro College Board of Trustees. If approved by the Board of Trustees, the Faculty Association and Faculty Association Executive Committee shall operate in an advisory role and in full compliance with TEC Sec. 51.3522 and 51.3523.

 

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Full-time faculty serve on the Academic Council. The Academic Council operates as an advisory council for all curriculum changes, including modification of existing programs as well as approval of new programs and program closures. All curriculum changes must first be recommended by the Academic Council and approved by the Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. This process recognizes the roles of the faculty, the administration, and the Board of Trustees. Academic Council meets regularly during fall and spring semesters and may be convened during the summer, if needed.

Membership: The Vice President of Academic Affairs serves as the Chair of the Academic Council. The Vice President of Student Success, Executive Dean of Academic Studies, Executive Dean of Health Professions, Executive Director of WCTE, Location Deans, Director of Retention and Success, Director of Financial Aid, Director of Academic Compliance, and the Registrar serve as standing members. Faculty are nominated to serve on the Academic Council by Executive Deans, Executive Directors, and location or division deans. Prior to serving on the Academic Council, all faculty nominations must be approved by the District President. Faculty serve one-year terms, which may be repeated, if approved by the District President.

Approved: 2015
Updated: 2017, 2020, 2024, 2025
Reviewed: