Co-Curricular Annual Report Public Summaries 2023-2024
Academic Co-Curricular Areas
Center for Academic Development
The Center for Academic Development serves the students of Bethel College through tutoring and a variety of academic support options including ADA services. Internal assessment shows that students are very pleased with the academic support services offered and are receiving excellent quality support. We will continue to assess current support offerings with the intent of enhancing these services in the coming year.
Collegian
The program goals for the Collegian are for students to develop integrity-filled journalistic skills that contribute to community-building. While some individual objectives were met in 2023-24 and others were not, we are making changes to work toward consistent and continued improvement. A highlight for student journalists of the Collegian this year was earning 9 first- and second-place journalism awards at the NPCMA Golden Leaf Awards Competition.
Library
Our assessment practices and analysis of our observations and findings, have shown overall consistency in services provided and revealed ways we can improve services and resources to meet students’ information needs. In surveys given after library instruction sessions, after one-on-one research consultations, and during focus groups, we received positive feedback from our patrons about instructional approach as well as our personalized research assistance that leaves students feeling more confident with their research skills. Based on this feedback we will continue to allocate personnel and resources to maintain this kind of service. According to suggestions from our focus groups, we will prioritize efforts to improve off-campus access and creating flexible study spaces that are key to facilitating student learning on campus. Historical and more recent budget cuts will make these tasks more difficult. Request for additional resources have been made to make necessary updates.
Other Co-Curricular Areas
Athletics
Overall the athletic department experienced much success in the 2023-24 academic year. Achieving the NAIA Champions of Character Gold Star status for the seventh consecutive year was a huge highlight. An overall GPA over 3.0 for the entire athletic department was also a highlight along with 19 of our 20 athletic teams being named NAIA Scholar-Teams due to their team GPA being above a 3.0.
We will continue to build The Whole Thresher Athlete and strive to recruit young people that will fit into our culture. The components which we used to evaluate our success in developing The Whole Thresher Athlete include each student-athlete being involved in our Service Day and being part of another service project each semester with their team, maintaining good sportsmanship while competing-not being ejected from a game or match, aspiring to have a 3.0 or above grade point average, and being active in events which promote the five core values of NAIA: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
Student Life
The Office of Student Life assesses student learning outside of the classroom in four major areas: Campus Ministries, Student Activities and Engagement, Residential Life, and Student Wellness. Goals for student learning include developing their faith and values, demonstrating leadership, experiencing a sense of belonging, and engaging as needed with increased mental health supports. Assessment data from 2023-24 reflected a particular success in the percentage of students participating in service activities, thanks in part to increased advertising and expanded connections with community partners.