Shared Governance
A Collaborative Approach to Decision-Making
Glen Oaks Community College operates under a shared governance model that brings faculty, staff, administrators, and students into the decision-making process. Through a structured system of committees, the college encourages collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility in shaping policies, programs, and initiatives that support student success and institutional effectiveness.
Committees serve as the primary operating framework for shared governance, providing a consistent and inclusive way to develop ideas, solve problems, and guide continuous improvement across the college.
What Shared Governance Means at Glen Oaks
Shared governance at Glen Oaks Community College is a structured, transparent approach to decision-making. Committees bring together diverse perspectives to:
- Improve student learning and support services
- Advance institutional planning and assessment
- Ensure compliance, accountability, and quality standards
- Encourage open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving
Each committee has a defined purpose, membership, and reporting structure to ensure clarity and accountability.
Standing College Committees
Below is an overview of Glen Oaks’ standing committees and their roles within the shared governance framework.
Accessibility Committee
The Accessibility Committee ensures compliance with federal and state accessibility requirements, including physical spaces and electronic resources.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the President’s Council
Membership includes representatives from facilities, IT, faculty, student support
services, academic leadership, and web administration.
Accreditation Core Team
The Accreditation Core Team supports planning and preparation for accreditation reaffirmation visits.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the Accreditation Liaison Officer, who advises
the President
Membership includes academic leadership, faculty representatives, assessment and planning
staff, and key operational leaders.
Calendar Committee
The Calendar Committee establishes the academic calendar two years in advance, balancing instructional needs with student and community considerations.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the President’s Council
Membership includes academic leadership, faculty, enrollment services, financial aid,
human resources, and executive leadership.
College Council
The College Council is a representative body that aligns planning, strategy, and institutional effectiveness efforts. Its work includes oversight of the strategic plan, coordination of core strategy committees, and fostering open communication across the college.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the President’s Council
Membership includes faculty, staff, administrators, students, and members of the President’s
Council.
Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee ensures academic rigor and quality across courses and programs. The committee reviews curriculum policies and recommends improvements aligned with best practices and student outcomes.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the Vice President of Academics
Membership includes faculty, academic deans, advising, records, planning and assessment,
and student services representatives.
Guided Pathways Committee
This committee supports implementation of the Guided Pathways framework to improve student clarity, progression, and completion.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the President’s Council
Membership includes faculty, advising, admissions, dual enrollment, students, academic
leadership, and student services.
High-Quality Teaching and Learning Committee and New Faculty Orientation
The High-Quality Teaching and Learning Committee develops initiatives that strengthen teaching effectiveness and student learning. This group also supports New Faculty Orientation, a year-long onboarding experience focused on instruction, campus culture, and community engagement.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the Vice President of Academics
Membership includes faculty, academic leadership, IT, learning commons, student services,
and instructional support staff.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee advises the college on embedding inclusive practices across policies, programs, and institutional goals.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the College Council
Membership includes faculty, staff, and administrators representing a wide range of
campus perspectives.
Online Learning Advisory Team
The Online Learning Advisory Team supports quality assurance in online and hybrid learning by reviewing courses, monitoring student success data, and recommending professional development.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the Vice President of Academics
Membership includes faculty, instructional support staff, IT, learning commons, and
academic leadership.
President’s Cabinet
The President’s Cabinet holds primary operational responsibility for major functional areas of the college.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the President
Membership includes the President, Vice Presidents, and the Chief Financial Officer.
President’s Council
The President’s Council advances the college’s mission, strategic plan, and institutional priorities. The Council serves as a leadership and advisory group and promotes communication across departments.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the President
Membership includes the President and direct reports.
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee reviews faculty requests for professional development funding in accordance with the Faculty Senate Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the President through the Vice President of Academics
Membership includes faculty representatives and academic leadership.
Program and Assessment Review Committee
The Program and Assessment Review Committee oversees program review and student learning assessment processes to ensure continuous improvement and educational effectiveness.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the Vice President of Academics
Membership includes faculty, academic leadership, advising, planning and assessment,
and student services representatives.
Strategic Enrollment Management Committee
This committee aligns enrollment strategies with fiscal, academic, and student support resources to promote long-term institutional sustainability.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the President’s Council
Membership includes enrollment services, financial aid, faculty, communications, planning
and assessment, and executive leadership.
Viking Speaker Series Committee
The Viking Speaker Series Committee plans campus and community events that support intellectual engagement, diversity, and collaboration.
Reporting: Makes recommendations to the College Council
Membership includes faculty, staff, and foundation and community representatives.
Request Committee Information
If you would like to learn more about any committee, review meeting minutes, or submit ideas for consideration, please complete the Request Committee Information form.