Priorities of counseling programs and outcomes within the Virginia community college system

The study was designed to identify counseling services and program outcomes within the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). VCCS counseling providers and chief administrative officers (presidents and campus provosts) assessed the level of importance and existing levels of institutional priorities for counseling services and program outcomes. The study sought to clarify institutional expectations, define the role of counseling providers, and provide elements essential to the assessment of counseling program outcomes.

Major findings included the identification and clarification of services provided by VCCS counseling personnel, the dichotomous relationship between the two study groups regarding recruitment and retention activities, the undervalued and under-involved role of counselor participation in research activities, the process of developing program outcomes, and the Significantly different perceptions regarding institutional priorities for services and program outcomes between the two study groups.

Implications for practice were presented including the need for greater collaboration between chief administrative officers and counseling services providers to make maximum use of available resources.