MARIA COCLIN, associate professor and professional studies department chair at the Community College of Rhode Island, was recently named the regional recipient of the 2023 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs Teaching Excellence Award. Coclin is also a member of CCRI’s curriculum review committee and strategic planning committee and is chair of the committee for curriculum development and assessment for financial services in the business department. Coclin was honored at the ACVSP Accreditation and Awards Gala held June 29-July 2 in Chicago, where she received a crystal medallion and a $500 check.
What does receiving the Teaching Excellence Award mean to you?
I am so grateful to have received this award and hope my work will build purpose, community and connection for students at CCRI. Teaching excellence manifests in a student population able to achieve their educational and career goals. I feel so very privileged to join fellow colleagues, both past and present, in earning this Teaching Excellence Award. I remain committed to maintaining the high academic standards of this honor to best serve our student population.
What kind of curriculum reviews and strategic planning has your department done in the past year? What were some of the focus areas?
CCRI is committed to providing quality education to our students, as the college’s goals are focused on student success, expanding partnerships and programs, and strengthening institutional effectiveness. My department is aligned with these goals and regularly updates curriculum and instruction. These updates are developed from an active and robust advisory board to reflect industry trends and needs and strengthen student outcomes.
How do you develop and assess curricula?
The primary mission of the Department of Business and Professional Studies is to provide degree and certificate candidates the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for transfer and career success. In this regard, business associate degree and certificate curricula are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, which attests to our high standards and excellence in teaching. Assessment data collected every semester informs course and program revisions at multiple levels, creating a continuous model of improvement benefiting teaching and student outcomes.
How are new curricula developed within the Department of Business and Professional Studies?
Within the department, we consistently look to update our curriculum in collaboration with our advisory board. This allows us to understand the current needs of the industry. In addition, we work closely with CCRI’s Division of Workplace Partnerships to ensure we are meeting both current and future industry needs.
