Professional-Technical Advisory Committees

Purpose

Advisory committees support Tacoma Community College’s (TCC) mission and core values as an essential strategy to build and strengthen community partnerships. These committees are intended to provide expert guidance and recommendations ensuring programs remain current with industry standards, address the evolving needs of the community, and assist in preparing students for successful careers.  

This purpose of this policy is to ensure that TCC complies with all state and federal policies pertaining to advisory committees including Worker Retraining and Perkins V and to authorize the creation of local procedures that align with and fulfill the requirements outlined in the SBCTC Policy Manual.

To Whom Does This Policy Apply

These guidelines apply to all professional/technical programs.

Definitions

Professional-technical program: Professional-technical program: certificate or degree offered by an institution of higher education that prepares students for employment in a specific industry.  Professional-Technical programs are approved by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges under RCW 28B.50.090(7)(c).

References

• RCW 28B.50.252: Districts offering vocational educational programs—Local advisory committees—Advice on current job needs
• State Board for Community and Technical Colleges Policy and Procedure Manual Chapter 4: Instruction and Program Development, Section4.40.20 – Advisory Committees for Professional-Technical programs
• Tacoma Community College Advisory Committee Procedures Handbook

Policy

Each professional-technical program is required to establish an advisory committee to ensure alignment with industry standards, community, and workforce needs. These committees must operate in accordance with the policies and guidelines set forth by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) regarding the formation and operation of advisory committees. All advisory committees are expected to fully comply with Washington State law. Individual programs may be subject to further requirements imposed by accrediting or approval bodies. These additional requirements fall outside the scope of this policy and must be followed as applicable.

 

Local procedures governing the creation and maintenance of well-functioning and sustainable advisory committees will be created and maintained by the Office of the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs. This document, Tacoma Community College Advisory Committee Handbook, will align with and fulfill the requirements set out in the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges Policy and Procedure Manual Chapter 4: Instruction and Program Development, Section 4.40.20 – Advisory Committees for Professional-Technical programs.