Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington is one of two winners of the 2020 Awards for Outstanding Programs in English by the Two-year College English Association (TYCA). The College’s informed self-placement program, which helps new students determine their ideal first English course at Whatcom, was selected as an exemplary program in the “fostering student success” category.
In only a few years, informed self-placement, led by English instructors Jeff Klausman and Signee Lynch, has improved access to college-level English classes, particularly for students from historically under-represented populations. Klausman and Lynch will be honored at the annual TYCA national conference, held in conjunction with the 2020 Conference on College Composition and Communication, later this spring in Milwaukee, Wisc.
“Our informed self-placement program showcases how our faculty are able to recognize a barrier to success, strategize a solution, and creatively implement a new program to better meet the needs of today’s students,” said WCC’s vice president for instruction Ed Harri. “I’m so pleased Jeff and Signee will be recognized for their extraordinary efforts,” said Harri.
Two-year College English Association (TYCA) unites teachers committed to the teaching and study of English in the two-year college, to advancing the profession, and providing a national voice for the two-year college in postsecondary education. It is affiliated with the National Council of Teachers of English.
Whatcom Community College in Bellingham is regularly recognized as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute. The College, a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare and business studies, offers a bachelor of applied science degree, transfer degrees, career preparation, online courses, and community education classes. WCC’s accomplished faculty and staff serve 11,000 students annually. For more information, visit whatcom.edu.
