Core Abilities and Outcomes

For WVC Degree and Certificate Earners

Wenatchee Valley College's vision statement says, in part, "to transform lives." Therefore, Wenatchee Valley College assesses student learning to see whether our students' lives change, whether they actually achieve learning that lasts, learning that will change their lives.

This learning that lasts transcends discipline/program specific skills, competencies and knowledge. The abilities we expect of our degree and certificate holders is evidence of this learning that lasts: communication skills; information retrieval/analysis skills; learning for learning's sake; working in communities/teamwork; critical, quantitative, linear, rational thinking and problem solving; a clear sense of themselves and how they integrate into the larger communities of life.

Wenatchee Valley College embeds learning toward achieving these abilities in our skill, competency and content courses so that students have repeated practice that will produce deep learning that lasts. We assess what students know and can do both in and beyond the classroom, lab or clinical setting so that we can know when, where and how often learning practice takes place in a student's tenure with us.

What degree and certificate holders know and can do reflects on our students and on our integrity as an institution. We apply these general education outcomes to all our programs of study leading toward degrees and certificates, both transfer and workforce (professional/technical) programs of study. Through a variety of experiences, students learn to seek knowledge, to expand their understanding of themselves and others, and to integrate their learning. The curriculum emphasizes strong skill in communication and critical thought as well as broad knowledge in major areas of learning in the liberal arts (science, social science and humanities) and in the specialized workforce program competencies.

We call what we expect in our graduates "Abilities."
The Wenatchee Valley College Abilities Outcomes:
Through the course of pursuing degrees and certificates from WVC, successful students will (be able to):

• Think critically (analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply, problem solve, reason qualitatively and quantitatively)
• Seek knowledge, information and diverse viewpoints
• Locate, use and analyze information and technology resources
• Communicate skillfully in diverse ways and in diverse situations
• Clarify and apply a personal set of values/ethics
• Act responsibly as individuals and as a member of a team or group