Philosophies

Principles of Community 

Manhattan Tech is an environment dedicated to the teaching and learning of professional and technical skills in an increasingly diverse and ever-changing environment. Manhattan Tech is a place where all people, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, marital or family status, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, and military or veteran status may learn a living.  Students, staff, faculty, and administration seek to empower all persons to contribute to their families, communities, and societies. In the spirit of creating and maintaining a professional and respectful space for all who come here to learn and teach, we—students, staff, faculty, and administration—acknowledge the following:

• We come to Manhattan Tech with different experiences, expectations, values, and practices
• Some of our differences are visible, others are not
• Our differences may create misunderstandings, fears, and hurt feelings
• We must work together to create mutual understanding
• We strive to overcome the negative consequences of our differences
• We seek to celebrate our shared humanity and shared goals
• We accept responsibility for creating a learning and work environment where our differences are valued and mutually accepted
• We agree to respect everyone’s right to have and to share personal beliefs and opinions without fear of public condemnation
• We agree to reject prejudice, discrimination, and intolerance in the Manhattan Tech community 

General Education Philosophy

General education is an essential element of a student’s education. It provides a foundation for lifelong learning and is woven into learning opportunities at MATC. General education refers to subject matter that is foundational in nature and may be infused into all disciplines of study. Concepts to enhance and support the overall educational experience provided at MATC. To support the philosophy of general education in the learning experience of our students the College has implemented the MATC Core Abilities Assessment Process that measures Written and Oral Communication, Quantitative Literacy, and Critical Thinking and co-curricular experiences to provide leadership development opportunities. Together, these elements following are designed to foster students’ ability to:

• Use the English language effectively to read, write, speak, and listen critically
• Use systematic, critical, and creative processes to identify problems and make decisions
• Develop knowledge of self and a capability for self-direction and self-motivation
• Analyze and assess personal values and life goals that affect decision-making and relationships in a global community
• Perform the mathematical computations necessary to succeed as an employee and as a consumer
• Demonstrate proficiency in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information
• Increase an understanding of individual and group differences 

Upon graduation, students should be proficient in: 

• Communicating effectively in written and oral forms;
• Critical thinking and problem solving to address situations described verbally, graphically, symbolically, or numerically;
• Identifying, accessing, and evaluating information and materials;
• Gaining knowledge of self and demonstrating ability to work with others independently and in teams, and;
• Exhibiting tolerance of and respect for diversity in human abilities, cultures, age, and beliefs. 

Within the technical programs, faculty members strive to reinforce and enhance student learning by providing opportunities that require students to apply skills acquired in general education components to “world of work” problems in their classrooms.

Philosophy of Assessment

Manhattan Tech’s faculty and staff are committed to a comprehensive institutional assessment program that promotes continuous improvement in all aspects of programs and services critical to the success of the College. Convinced that learning-oriented effectiveness is of primary importance in meeting the institution’s mission, the faculty has placed an emphasis on the assessment of student learning. 

Manhattan Tech also recognizes the importance of assessment and improvement activities related to organizational structure. These activities, which are designed to complement the assessment of student learning and enhance the planning and implementation of strategic initiatives, as well as the operational functions of the College, are executed as part of a comprehensive plan. 

Demonstrating ongoing institutional improvement is necessary to ensure the continuing success of Manhattan Tech. Manhattan Tech is strengthened by its ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing student and stakeholder needs through a systematic and well-practiced methodology involving assessment, evaluation, and action to address the identified opportunities for improvement. This allows the College to compete in an educational arena where prospective students have a myriad of options. 

In addition, as legislative bodies and accrediting organizations search for ways to enhance accountability among educational institutions, the documentation produced by this ongoing improvement process facilitates the reporting required for compliance with these regulatory and oversight agencies.