{"id":66,"date":"2025-06-25T13:01:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T18:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/holmescc.edu\/careercompass\/?page_id=66"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:33:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:33:54","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/holmescc.edu\/careercompass\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”85.1px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_align=”center” header_2_font=”Faustina||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#a32136″ header_2_font_size=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/holmescc.edu\/careercompass\/Documents\/FrequentlyAskedQuestions_7-9_2.pdf” button_text=”Download As PDF” button_alignment=”right” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#a32136″ button_bg_color=”rgba(163,33,54,0.09)” button_border_width=”4px” button_border_color=”#a32136″ button_border_radius=”4px” button_letter_spacing=”1px” button_font=”|700||on|||||” custom_padding=”12px||12px||true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#a32136″ icon_color=”#a32136″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_level=”h4″ toggle_font=”Faustina|600|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is SACSCOC and what is accreditation?” open=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is, as defined by SACSCOC, \u201can institutional accreditor for quality assurance in higher education. SACSCOC accredits institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, master\u2019s, or doctoral degrees, including those offered via distance and correspondence education, and direct assessment within these institutions.\u201d Holmes Community College is accredited by the SACSCOC to award associate degrees and certificates. Accreditation aims to assure stakeholders and the public that higher educational institutions maintain acceptable standards of quality and integrity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is a QEP?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a part of the SACSCOC reaffirmation of accreditation process for the college. The process involves developing a five-year plan defined by SACSCOC as a \u201ccarefully designed course of action that addresses a well-defined and focused topic or issue related to enhancing student learning and\/or student success.\u201d QEP development is a school-wide effort with broad-based support from the college\u2019s stakeholders.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Why do we need a QEP?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”on”]<\/p>\n

As part of the accreditation reaffirmation process by SACSCOC, institutions develop a QEP that will enhance the institution\u2019s quality and effectiveness by improving student learning and\/or student success in a particular area.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is the title of our QEP? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

Career Compass<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What does our QEP address? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

As the value of a college degree faces growing scrutiny, Career Compass<\/em> aims to guide undecided students toward selecting an academic or career program of study through its interventions. By doing so, it enhances their likelihood of graduating and successfully transitioning into the workforce or higher education.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Who selected our QEP topic? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

Students, faculty, staff, administrators, Holmes\u2019 Board of Trustees, and QEP Committees have been involved in the identification of the topic and development of the plan since Fall 2023. The final decision of the QEP topic was made based on support across the college and community from a collection of surveys, Holmes\u2019s strategic initiatives, and focused, research-based support submitted by the QEP Planning Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is the overall goal of our QEP? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

The overall goal of Career Compass <\/em>is for students who are undecided in their career path (with a focus on General College Studies students) to select an academic or career program of study within their cohort year at Holmes, thereby increasing their probability of graduation and facilitating their entry into the workforce or university transfer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#a32136″ icon_color=”#a32136″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_level=”h4″ toggle_font=”Faustina|600|||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Who is our QEP\u2019s target audience (cohort)?” open=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

While the actions and benefits of Career Compass<\/i> will be available to all students, those who begin a fall semester with General College Studies (GCS) as their program of study and have not yet completed courses incorporating the QEP initiatives (English Composition I and Career Exploration) will be the initial target audience. <\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What are the desired outcomes of our QEP?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”on”]<\/p>\n

Along with the overall QEP goal, three student learning outcomes (SLOs), listed below, have been identified to assist students in confidently selecting their program of study early in their college career, thereby enriching their academic experience and facilitating their entry into the workforce or university transfer.<\/p>\n

Career Compass<\/em> Student Learning Outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. GCS students will report increased confidence and clarity in the academic and\/or career path they want to pursue.\n<\/li>\n
  2. GCS students will indicate an increase in their knowledge and awareness of attainable career paths.\n<\/li>\n
  3. GCS students will make contact with local businesses and industries that may impact their academic and\/or career choice.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How will the QEP be assessed? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

    Using institutional research and current baseline data, measurable student learning outcomes were developed along with appropriate assessment tools (reports, surveys, and advising questions) to measure the progress of Career Compass.<\/em> As the QEP evolves over the next five years, specific cohorts, strategies, and measurements may be modified.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How will these outcomes be achieved? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

    With investment across the college, the following four actions will be implemented to meet the student learning outcomes, and thus, the overall goal of Career Compass:<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n