About Bishop State

Mission Statement

Bishop State Community College is a state-supported, open admission, comprehensive urban community college located in Mobile, Alabama. The College consists of four city campuses dedicated to serving the residents of Mobile and Washington Counties in Southwest Alabama and residents within a 50-mile radius of the campus. The College is a part of the Alabama College System, the State-supported network of two-year community, junior and technical colleges that serves the residents of Alabama.

The mission of Bishop State Community College is to provide high-quality educational opportunities and services that are responsive to individual and community needs for the citizenry of Mobile and Washington Counties at an affordable cost. To accomplish this mission, the College utilizes traditional, online and distance learning methods. Bishop State Community College shall provide the following:

General education and collegiate programs at the freshman and sophomore levels that prepare students for transfer to other colleges and universities;

Technical, vocational, occupational and career education that prepares students for immediate employment, retrains existing employees, and promotes local and state economic stability and competitiveness;

Training through partnerships with business and industry that meets employer and employee needs;

Developmental education that assists individuals in improving learning skills and overcoming educational deficiencies;

Student services and activities that assist individuals in formulating and achieving their educational goals; and

Continuing education and personal enrichment opportunities that support lifelong learning and the civic, social and cultural quality of life.

The philosophy of Bishop State Community College is expressed in the following beliefs:

Education is essential to the economic, social, environmental and political well-being of the individual, the community and the State.

Education should be made academically, geographically, physically and financially accessible to students.

All individuals should be treated with dignity and respect, given opportunities to develop their special aptitudes and insights, and afforded equal opportunities to equip themselves for a fulfilling life and responsible citizenship.

Bishop State Community College will pursue accreditation and/or certification in every program offered by the College where such accreditation or certification is available. The College will offer the required theory and skills training needed to prepare students for licensure examinations in their respective programs of study.

Finally, the overall purpose of Bishop State Community College is to provide quality education and leadership to the community which it serves.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The College has developed performance measures for each major area of the College.

Bishop State Community College will:

Academic School

1. Serve students by providing associate degree level instruction that will prepare them for transfer to baccalaureate-level institutions and serve persons for job-entry positions and careers in several fields.

a. Recipients of the Associate in Arts degree (AA) and the Associate in Science degree (AS) will be accepted at baccalaureate-level institutions.

b. Recipients of the AA and AS degrees will complete their baccalaureate degrees at about the same rate and in about as much time as native students.

c. Graduates of AAS and certificate programs will find employment in areas in which they are trained.

d. General education courses offered at the College will be consistent with the Common Course Directory of the State of Alabama so as to be acceptable at state baccalaureate-level institutions.

Technical School

2. Serve persons for job-entry positions and careers in a variety of fields.

a. Recipients of an Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS), Associate of Occupational Technologies (AOT) or a certificate will be prepared for their first or entry-level positions in a career field.

b. Graduates of AAS, AOT and certificate programs will find employment in areas in which they are trained.

c. AAS, AOT and certificate programs will be appropriate for career related opportunities in the service area.

d. Cooperative education, internship and apprenticeship opportunities will be provided to students in appropriate occupational/technical programs.

General Education

3. Ensure that all recipients of an Associate degree (AA, AS , AAS or AOT) will be able to:

a. express their ideas in a clear and grammatically correct manner, orally and in writing;

b. read and understand literature and current event articles commonly found in the print media;

c. perform fundamental mathematical calculations required to function in society; and

d. demonstrate basic skills in computer literacy.

Learning Resources

4. Provide learning resources that support all AA, AS, AAS, AOT, and certificate programs, thereby enhancing the academic climate of the College and the community.

Student Development

5. Provide a broad range of student services.

a. Career counseling services will support both transfer (AA and AS) and career/technical (AAS, AOT and certificate) students.

b. Placement services will be provided in support of career/technical (AAS, AOT and certificate) graduates.

c. Financial assistance will be provided, to the greatest extent possible, for those in need of such support to attend the College.

d. Developmental programs will be provided to students who demonstrate insufficient skills for effective performance in college level courses.

e. Students will be assisted through general centralized counseling, including academic advisement, in the selection of academic majors or programs that are compatible with their vocational aptitudes and interests.

f. Programs will be conducted which enhance the retention of students from the freshman year to the sophomore year and ultimately to graduation.

g. Health Education Programs will be provided which stimulate the development of healthy behaviors in students and prevent the development of unhealthy practices.

h. Student activities will be provided to enhance the educational experience of students through opportunities for personal growth and social development.

i. An enrollment management concept that will enhance the recruitment and admission of students, the orientation and registration process, and maintenance of accurate student records will be provided.

j. The College�s Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Plan will be implemented and maintained to ensure that goods, services, privileges, and accommodations are afforded to disabled students in the most integrated setting appropriate, without imposing undue hardship or burdens on the College.

k. Intercollegiate athletic programs, equally for men and women, will be provided to teach such democratic values as cooperation, teamwork, the work ethic, enhancement of interpersonal skills and sportsmanship.

Continuing Education and Economic Development

6. Serve constituents who need additional training for advancement in their present fields or retraining for employment in new fields.

a. Continuing education classes will be offered in education, business and other professional areas in which the College offers an AAS or certificate.

b. Opportunities for retraining will be made available to all citizens and intensified should economic circumstances warrant.

7. Provide educational programs to meet the needs of employers in the service area.

8. Serve persons who desire special classes and workshops in personal development, civic affairs and cultural enrichment.

9. Cooperate with community agencies in community development activities.

Institutional Research and Development

10. Maintain a comprehensive program for institutional advancement that will include institutional research, planning and evaluation; resource development; alumni affairs; private fund-raising and support for the educational program, educational support services and administrative processes of the College.

Fiscal Affairs

11. Provide a sound financial, administrative and physical facilities program to support the overall goals of the College.

a. Equipment and a system of quality control that will support the educational program of the College will be provided.

b. Sound and accountable fiscal management to support the overall goals of the College will be provided.

c. A sound administrative structure for the Fiscal Affairs Division, including separate personnel, auxiliary and purchasing functions, will be provided.

d. A safe, comfortable environment for students, employees and visitors will be provided.

e. A complete maintenance program, to ensure that physical facilities meet the needs of students, faculty and staff, will be provided.