ext spring, the Southern Association of Colleges

and Schools (SACS) will come to North Carolina

A&T State University for an on-site reaffirmation of

accreditation visit.

N.C. A&T is up for reaccreditation every 10 years.

The University has been preparing for its spring 2010

visit since 2006, when the provost appointed the SACS

Steering Committee – more than two dozen individuals

(see list for membership) representing a wide range of

expertise to ensure that all segments of the University

have a voice in the SACS process.

The SACS Steering Committee oversees the entire

SACS process and helps to build consensus around the

Quality Enhancement Plan.

QEP is a new SACS requirement through which

the institution demonstrates that it can take input from

the broader university community, existing data and its

strategic plan and mission, then develop and implement

a project aimed at improving some specific aspect of

student achievement of learning outcomes or improve

something about the learning environment.

For example, last year the QEP Committee (see list

for membership) held nominal group process meetings

with all schools and colleges to solicit faculty, staff and

administrators’ input for possible improvements in

student achievement and the learning environment.

The committee also conducted student and staff focus

groups and administered student and alumni surveys. The

meetings, focus groups and surveys resulted in input from

more than 400 faculty, staff, administrators and trustees,

and approximately 745 students and 35 alumni.

“The QEP Committee has conducted an

‘Importance-Performance’ rating assessment. The

assessment compares aspects of student achievement and

the learning environment the University community

values to determine how well the University is addressing

those aspects,” said Vincent Childress, chair. “If we

identify aspects of student achievement of high

importance and low performance, this may end up being

the focus of the QEP.

A Biweekly Newsletter for Faculty and Staff of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University VOL 10 • NO 15 • March 20, 2009

MARCH 1-31Women’s History Month

MARCH 20Last day to defend thesis/dissertation

MARCH 20-21Urban Education Institute, Focus: African American Male Achievement, Alumni-Foundation Event Center and School of Education Building, R, $

MARCH 21Aggieland Challenge (Robotics), Moore Gym

MARCH 23Defended and approved thesis/dissertation due in Graduate School Office

MARCH 27Lyceum presents “Compared to What?” An Evening of Jazz with Les McCann and Friends, Harrison Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., F

MARCH 27-28Third Annual Career Development Conference, Memorial Student Union-Stallings Ballroom

MARCH 28Aggie Super Saturday, Aggie Stadium

APRIL 2Faculty Forum, General Classroom Building-Auditorium, 3 p.m.

APRIL 10University Holiday

The N.C. A&T Ticket Sales Office is located in Brown Hall, corner of Laurel and Bluford streets. For information, call (336) 334-7749.

CALE

NDAR

of E

VENT

S

$ - Admission | F - Free | I - Attendance by Invitation Only | L - Lyceum Series Program | R - Registration Required | T - Ticket Required | W - Workshop or Conference

A&T Prepares for New SACS RequirementQuality Enhancement Plan requires input from broader campus community

AggiE REpoRTThE

The pharmacy technician program is a

comprehensive 50-hour course that prepares

students for entry into the pharmacy field and the

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

exam. The class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays,

March 10-May 5, 6-9:30 p.m.

Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals,

home infusion pharmacies, community pharmacies

and other health care settings, working under the

supervision of a registered pharmacist. Course

content includes medical terminology specific to the

pharmacy, reading and interpreting prescriptions

and defining drugs by generic and brand names.

Students will learn dosage calculations, I.V. flow rates,

drug compounding, dose conversions, dispensing

of prescriptions, inventory control and billing and

reimbursement.

The medical billing and coding program is

a 70-hour course that provides training in solving

insurance billing problems, manually filing claims

(using the CPT and ICD-9 manual), completing

common insurance forms, tracing delinquent claims,

appealing denied claims and using generic forms

to streamline billing procedures. The class will

meet Mondays and Wednesdays, March 9-May 27,

6-9:30 p.m.

The coursework covers CPT introduction,

guidelines, evaluation and management; specialty

fields such as surgery, radiology and laboratory;

ICD-9 introduction and guidelines, and basic claims

processes for medical insurance and third party

reimbursements.

After gaining practical work experience (six

months to two years), students who complete this

course could be qualified to sit for the American

Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) - Certified

Professional Coder Exam (CPC or CPC-H Apprentice),

the American Health Information Association

(AHIMA) Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam,

and other national certification exams.

The 90-hour phlebotomy technician program

prepares professionals to collect blood specimens

from clients for the purpose of laboratory analysis.

Students will become familiar with all aspects related

to blood collection and develop comprehensive skills

to completely and safely perform venipunctures.

Classroom and lab work includes terminology,

anatomy and physiology; blood collection

procedures; specimen hands-on practice, and

training in skills and techniques to perform puncture

methods. Additionally, this program will prepare

students to take the American Society of Phlebotomy

Technician (ASPT) - Phlebotomy Technician national

certification exam. Classes will meet 6-9 p.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays, March 9-May 18, and

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The EKG technician certification program is

a comprehensive 50-hour certification program that

prepares students to function as EKG technicians

and to take the American Society of Phlebotomy

Technician (ASPT) - Electrocardiograph (EKG)

Technician exam and other National Certification

Exams. The class will meet Mondays and

Wednesdays, March 9-May 4, 6-9:30 p.m.

This course will include important practice and

background information on anatomy of the heart

and physiology, medical disease processes, medical

terminology, medical ethics, legal aspects of patient

contact, laboratory assisting, electrocardiography

and echocardiography. Additionally, students will

practice with equipment and perform hands-on labs

including introduction to the function and proper

use of the EKG machine, the normal anatomy of

the chest wall for proper lead placement, 12-lead

placement and other clinical practices.

For other details, call Pat White, associate

director of the Office of Evening Weekend and

Continuing Studies, at (336) 334-7607, or send an

email to whitep@ncat.edu.

Continuing Ed, Nursing Collaborate on healthcare programs

N SACS SteeRINg COMMIttee

Anjail R. Ahmad

James J. Battle

Sandra Blackstock

Ayanna Boyd-Williams *

Patricia A. Chatt

Vincent Childress, Co-chair

Ron Cooper

Nita M. Dewberry *

Derrek B. Dunn

Dina C. Eagle

Doris G. Fultz *

Joseph L. Graves Jr.

Karen D. Guy *

P. Scott Hummel *

Denise Iverson-Payne *

Hope W. Jackson

Minnie Battle Mayes *

Doris F. Mitchell *

Sanjiv Sarin *

Mable Scott

Scott Simkins *

Isaiah Ugboro

Leonard Uitenham *

Yvette Underdue Murph

Robert Ussery

Jane T. Walker *

Lea E. Williams, Co-chair

Sandrea T. Williamson

* Chairs a subcommittee

QuALIty eNHANCeMeNt PLAN (QEP) COMMIttee

Ali Abul-Fadl

Anjail Ahmad

Fasih Ahmed

Deborah Barnes

Tecara Bracey

Vincent Childress, Chair

Chung-Suk Cho

Lonnie Cockerham

Harry Giberson

Hope Jackson

Kenrett Jefferson-Moore

Fatima Johnson

Angela Lemons

Beverly McLeod

Patricia G. Shelton

Iyanna Sims

George Stone

Jawana Southerland

LaWanda Wallace

Ereka Williams

North Carolina A&T State University’s Office of Continuing Studies and Professional Development and the School

of Nursing have collaborated to offer a series of four healthcare continuing education programs this spring.

> The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is

the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions

in the Southern states. Accreditation by the Commission on Colleges signifies that the

institution (1) has a mission appropriate to higher education, (2) has resources,

programs, and services sufficient to accomplish and sustain that mission, and (3)

maintains clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission

and appropriate to the degrees it offers, and that indicate whether it is successful in

achieving its stated objectives.

> Did you know that a university’s accreditation status impacts its students’ qualifications

for federal financial aid as well as its alumni’s admission to accredited graduate programs?

These are two more reasons why it is important for N.C. A&T to maintain its status.

continued on back

Childress Williams

“the poet,” a poem by Anjail Rashida Ahmad, director of the Creative

Writing Program, has been selected for

inclusion in the second installment of

the North Carolina Art Council’s three

volume series, The Literary Trail Guide.

The volume will be available online

(www.ncarts.org) and in print.

Kacie Blalock, assistant professor

of rehabilitation counseling in the

department of human development

and services, co-authored a peer-

reviewed article, “Unifying and Elevating

Rehabilitation Counseling Through

Model-Driven, Diversity-Sensitive

Evidence-Based Practice,” that has been published in the

Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling (Volume 39,

Winter 2009).

Fuabeh Fonge, associate professor

of history, recently attended the

Celebrating the Legacy of Pan

Africanism: A 21st Century Dialogue

conference at Johnson C. Smith

University where he also presented

a paper, “Queen Nzinga Mbandi: The

Unconquerable Amazon Queen of Ndongo and Matamba.”

emmanuel Ikegwu, associate professor

of French and Francophone literature in

the department of foreign languages,

has reviewed, edited and enhanced

a book titled Invitation au Monde

Francophone, Bonjour Tout le Monde.

The book’s intent is to give students a

better and accurate understanding of grammatical and

conceptual rules that govern the mastering of the French

language. Efforts also were made to enhance students’ oral

near native fluency.

Lizette Sanchez-Lugo has been named interim director of the Institute for Public Health. She is a faculty member in the department of family and consumer sciences and director of the undergraduate program in nutrition and dietetics for the School of

Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Sanchez-Lugo is a board member of the Minority Health Advisory Council for the state of North Carolina. She has taught at UNCG and the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico, and she also served as a clinical dietitian for the Veterans Administration Hospital. Sanchez-Lugo received her B.S and M.P.H. degrees from the University of Puerto Rico and Ph.D. from UNCG. She has an M.S.P.H. degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

N.C. A&T State UniversityThe Garrett House • 400 Nocho Street • Greensboro, NC 27411Phone: (336) 256-0863 • FAX: (336) 256-0862Email: smbrown@ncat.edu

The deadlines to submit information for The Aggie Report are available at www.ncat.edu/pr/policies/copy_deadlines.html

Chancellor, Stanley F. BattleVice Chancellor, Development and University Relations, Mark KielEditor, Sandra M. BrownContributors, Helen Buck, Vincent Childress, Beverly Grier, Wanda Lester, Lea Williams, Richard Yarbrough University Photographer, Charles E. WatkinsGraphic Designer, Donna GibbsPrinter, Graphix Impact

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

1601 East Market St.Greensboro, NC 27411

www.ncat.edu

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a land-grant university that is ranked by the Carnegie Classification System as “high research activity.” N.C. A&T is an AA/EEO employer, and it is an ADA compliant institution; thus, facilities are designed to provide accessibility to individuals with physical disabilities. 5,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $945 or $0.189 per copy.

AggiE REpoRTThE

notesfACULTY & STAff

________________ pRSRT fiRST CLASS________________ US poSTAgE pAiD________________gREENSboRo, NC________________ pERmiT No. 47________________

On Friday, March 20, 9 a.m.-noon, Robert Schwartz and Greg Sipress will present information on TraderEx trading and market simulation software.

This highly engaging product enables users to learn how to quickly make decisions based on activities that are influencing trading behavior.

Schwartz is the Marvin M. Speiser Professor of Finance and University Distinguished Professor in the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College,

CUNY. He is the co-founder and developer of TraderEx. Sipress is head of software development for TraderEx.

The School of Business and Economics is hosting the TraderX presentation. For details about the location and attendance, contact Wanda Lester,

associate dean, lesterw@ncat.edu or (336) 334-7656 x3003.

The Division of Academic Affairs wants suggestions for the 2009-2010 “Text in Community.” Send your ideas to Beverly Grier, chair of the Text in

Community Committee, bcgrier@ncat.edu, by Friday, March 27.

effective Wednesday, March 25, the Accounting Office will implement a new process to reconcile procurement card transactions. If you missed the

training sessions, send an email to Helen Buck, hrbuck@ncat.edu, for the training materials.

Permanent employees who are not returning for academic year 2009-2010 must be separated via an Internal Salary Authorization Form (PD-105).

Separation forms are not required for temporary employees unless they terminate their services before the end of the employment period specified on

their Internal Salary Authorization Form.

Nine-month full and part time instructors, lecturers, adjunct and visiting faculty must be separated at the end of the current academic year. The reason

for separation would be “end of contract period.” In addition, Form PD-105 must be prepared for these employees if they are returning next semester.

Both separation and reinstatement forms must be received in the Office of EPA Salary Administration and Personnel by Monday, April 6. Release

of each employee’s final check is contingent upon receipt of the forms by the due date.

The Physical Plant Employment Organization (PPEO) will host the Douglas M. Boone 20th Anniversary Invitational Golf Tournament Saturday,

April 18, at Bryan Park Players Course. Proceeds will benefit educational scholarships from its endowment fund. For more information, contact Douglas

Boone at (336) 697-8932, or Chuck Dixon, (336) 392-4223 or cdixon3@triad.rr.com.

Not enough golf? Alumni of the School of Technology will host their second annual golf tournament Saturday, April 25, at Bryan Park and

Enrichment Center. Proceeds will support scholarships for students pursuing degrees in the School of Technology. For details, contact Gwen Sanders

or Earnest Walker at gsanders@ncat.edu, ewalker@ncat.edu or (336) 334-7567.

AGGIE BITS

Stanley F. Battle, Ph.D.11th ChancellorNorth Carolina A&T State University

Members of the SACS Quality enhancement Plan Committee include (l-r) Kenrett Jefferson-Moore, School of Agriculture and environmental Sciences; Ali Abul-Fadl, College of engineering; Deborah Barnes, university Studies; Lonnie Cockerham, alumnus; Anjail Ahmad, College of Arts and Sciences; Angela Lemons, School of technology; george Stone, School of Business and economics; Patricia g. Shelton, College of Arts and Sciences; LaWanda Wallace, Division of Student Affairs; and Vincent Childress, School of technology. For a complete listing, see front page. Photo by Craig Rhodes

“After the data collected with this assessment are analyzed,

the QEP Committee will return to the faculty and departments,

share pertinent data, teach the faculty the criteria for what makes

an acceptable QEP, and have them conceptualize scenarios of what

the final idea for the QEP should be. Once the committee collects

that final ‘scenario’ input, it will make a recommendation on behalf

of the University community as to what the final QEP should be.”

By the end of the spring 2009 semester, the topic for the

QEP will be identified, and the actual plan will be written during

the summer.

“In the fall, we will begin aggressive marketing to ensure

that everyone on campus is aware of and understands the QEP,”

Childress said. “When the SACS on-site team visits the campus

next spring, it will expect the University community to be well

informed about the QEP.

SACS Steering Committee members chair various

subcommittees that are responsible for (1) writing the Certification

of Compliance, which provides proof that N.C. A&T is in

compliance with the SACS Principles of Accreditation, (2)

relaying information about SACS to the schools, colleges and

service units, and (3) helping to implement the QEP.

Two other groups that have critical roles in the SACS

process are the SACS Document Review Committee and the

SACS Policies Task Group. The former is comprised of senior

faculty members assigned to critique drafts of the narrative report

and provide written feedback. The latter is collecting all of the

University’s major policies, procedures and regulations. Once

updated, these documents will be accessible online.

To learn more about SACS, go to the A&T SACS website at:

http://cmsserv.ncat.edu.

New SACS Requirement, continued from front