Blinn College District named a Bellwether Award finalist for its online course quality assurance program

Blinn has been named a finalist for seven Bellwether Awards in the past five years

December 3, 2024

The Bellwether College Consortium has named the Blinn College District a 2025 Bellwether Award finalist for its innovative online course quality assurance program, a holistic initiative designed to ensure that Blinn faculty and students are equipped to succeed in online courses.

Bellwether finalists represent the leading community colleges across the nation whose outstanding and innovative programs were selected as exemplary among competitive submissions. Blinn was named one of 10 finalists in the Instructional Programs and Services category.

“This national recognition is a testament to Blinn’s commitment to offering online courses that equip our students for bright futures in their academic and professional careers,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “Congratulations to all of the faculty and staff whose achievements are being recognized by a national panel of educators.”

Blinn’s comprehensive online course quality assurance program is designed to support faculty and students, improve course quality, and enhance student outcomes.

Key elements of the program include:

• Course Design Excellence: Courses are aligned with Quality Matters® standards, the global benchmark for student-centered, evidence-based course design. A rigorous review process ensures alignment of outcomes, assessments, and activities.
• Faculty Training and Support: All faculty developing online courses complete Quality Matters® training, with additional resources provided by instructional designers and Blinn’s Center for Teaching and Learning.
• Student Preparedness: An online orientation to Blinn’s learning management system equips students with the skills needed for success in digital learning
• Ongoing Student Support: Digital library collections and online librarians provide research assistance and online tutoring services ensure comprehensive academic support.

“Online education has become a cornerstone of higher education in the post-COVID world, providing students with the flexibility and accessibility they need to succeed in an ever-changing landscape,” said Dr. Marcelo Bussiki, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “At Blinn, we have been proactive in investing in the quality of our online courses, ensuring they meet rigorous national standards while equipping faculty and students with the tools and support necessary for success.”

This year’s recognition continues Bellwether’s recent recognition of Blinn’s innovative programs and strategies. In 2021, Blinn was a Bellwether Award finalist in the Planning, Governance, and Finance category in recognition of its partnership with The Texas A&M University System at Texas A&M-RELLIS. In 2022, in addition to being named a finalist for its online orientation course, Blinn was recognized in the Workforce Development category for its offender re-entry training developed in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Brazos County Detention Center.

In 2023, Blinn was recognized as a Bellwether finalist for its FutureWorks Academy, a two-semester leadership development program open to all full-time faculty, staff, and administrators, and for the  Dental Hygiene Program’s annual Give Kids a Smile initiative, which supplies oral health care to local children who lack access to regular dental care. In 2024, Blinn was named a Bellwether Legacy Award finalist for its role at RELLIS.

This year’s Bellwether Award finalists will undergo a rigorous final round of review at the 31st Annual Community College Futures Assembly taking place Feb. 23-25, 2025, in San Antonio. Each selected college provides a 60-minute presentation on its program to an anonymous panel, recognized as skilled practitioners and thought leaders in the field.