4 What needs does this program serve in meeting the mission, core values, and strategic plan of the college?
The Mathematics Program is integral to fulfilling the college’s mission by providing students with high-quality, engaging, and comprehensive educational experiences within the mathematics classroom. This contributes significantly to both student success and educational excellence. Aligned with NIC’s commitment to serving the educational needs of communities across northern Idaho, the Math Department ensures accessibility by delivering core courses through various formats, including face-to-face, internet, online lecture, late start, and hybrid. This approach caters to distance learners, outreach students, and those requiring flexibility in access.
The department actively supports transfer students through General Education courses and the Mathematics transfer core, encompassing courses such as Calculus I and above. Furthermore, there is a dedicated effort to collaborate with Career Technical programs and their industry partners, offering courses essential for meeting professional needs and fostering community engagement.
Our program upholds the core NIC values of “Student Success” and “Educational Excellence” by fostering a vibrant, lifelong learning environment. We actively engage students as partners in their educational journey to enhance their quality of life. Through initiatives such as the Math Ed Center, TRIO Student Support Services, and Disability Service Support, we provide comprehensive support programs aimed at ensuring success for all students.
Moreover, we maintain a commitment to “Educational Excellence” by upholding high academic standards, delivering passionate and skillful instruction, and offering innovative programming. Continuous improvement is integral to our approach as we strive to enhance all services and outcomes to provide the best possible educational experience.
The Math Education Center (MEC) plays a crucial role in supporting students by providing tutoring, math consultations, placement preparation, and various services dedicated to enhancing student success and building a sense of community. Engaging with MEC services empowers students to pass their courses, progress into higher-level classes, thereby avoiding unnecessary courses, and receive informed guidance on optimal learning practices. Beyond academic support, the MEC serves as a hub for students to study collaboratively, convene for school projects, and contribute as peer tutors.
The MEC extends its support to distance learners through online accessibility and maintains a presence in Sandpoint. Additionally, twice a semester, in collaboration with the Library, the MEC hosts “Night at the Library,” an event aimed at furthering student success and fostering community engagement. This initiative not only reinforces academic achievements but also enhances the overall student experience at NIC.
Furthermore, our program actively engages with local high schools through the annual “Math Contest,” attracting approximately 150 students to campus. This event celebrates the thrill of solving challenging math problems, with students competing for prizes and recognition. We extend our support to local high school faculty through outreach initiatives, including the distribution of inspirational books, active participation in curriculum discussions, and mentorship for faculty selected for dual credit instruction.
Aligning with the core values of the College, particularly in terms of Stewardship, the Math Department has made significant strides over the past five years by adopting Open Educational Resources (OER) materials in more courses. Currently, 44% of our courses utilize free or low-cost materials, benefiting just over 49% of enrolled math students. This commitment reflects our dedication to responsible resource management and accessibility in education.
Finally, the Program has prioritized addressing student needs concerning time and the cost of degree completion. Currently, all three major math pathways (Quantitative Reasoning, STEM, and Statistics) are backed by co-requisite learning models. These co-requisites effectively decrease the number of credits students must take to fulfill their math requirements, all the while catering to their learning needs and upholding our curricular standards. Additionally, efforts have been made to expedite the completion of the Math Program by expanding the options available for meeting science requirements, thereby reducing the overall time required for program completion.