Bismarck State College Catalog

Bismarck State College - 1500 Edwards Avenue - PO Box 5587 - Bismarck, ND 58506 - 701-224-5400 or 800-445-5073


Learning First Initiative

At Bismarck State College, the faculty and staff have always been focused on helping students learn. In 1999, a campus committee was formed to investigate the new Learning College movement, developed especially for community colleges. The committee was charged with determining how the concepts and theories of that movement could be implemented at BSC. A Learning College places learning first, putting learning at the heart of everything the college does. A Learning College focuses on student learning, recognizes that student learning is everyone's responsibility, and gauges its success on student learning outcomes. Learning Colleges value innovation, engage in continuous improvement, and utilize resources wisely.

The Learning First Committee at BSC recommended adopting learning college concepts and drafted a plan for making student learning a more conscious and systematized effort on campus. As a result, a new strategic plan was developed that puts learning first and focuses on six strategic directions: Learning Innovation, Learning Support, Infusing Technology, Managing Excellence, Embracing Diversity, and Building Community. These six directions form the nucleus of the campus strategic plan. The objectives of the strategic plan direct the work of everyone on campus. In this way, Bismarck State College has formalized a process that puts Learning First.

Learning Innovation BSC will transform itself into a learning college that values innovation and the free exchange of ideas; engages in continuous improvement to enhance student, faculty, and staff learning; assesses and improves systems and processes; and utilizes resources wisely.	Learning Support BSC will provide a comprehensive and responsive support system that increases access to education and recognizes the student as central to the learning process.
Managing Excellence BSC will implement an organizational structure and institutional processes that promote student learning; support, evaluate, and reward its faculty and staff; and effectively and efficiently use its resources.	Infusing Technology BSC will make effective use of technology to enhance student learning and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of college operations.
Embracing Diversity BSC will increase awareness of diversity issues; attempt to recruit and retain a diverse faculty, staff, and student community; and promote a learning environment that embraces and values diversity.	Building Community BSC will promote a campus environment that encourages respect and positive relationships among campus members; will be an active and contributing member of its larger community; and will form partnerships that support economic and community development efforts.