Committee Charge
The purpose of this committee is to evaluate and make recommendations on matters related to the credit and non-credit curriculum. Course and program additions, deletions, or significant changes in program requirements or in course outlines must be voted upon by this committee.
The Curriculum Committee shall:
- Develop written procedures and deadlines for all credit and noncredit curriculum submission and approval. The Senate is to approve processes and procedures.
- Review and make recommendations on new course and new program proposals and on course and program revisions. Ensure that all additions and/or changes in course outlines and program outlines comply with curriculum regulations and development criteria.
- Make recommendations to the Academic Senate on issues relating to curriculum, such as changes in graduation or general education requirements. The committee will determine if a course is classified as general education for the associate degree and into which category it should be placed.
- Classify courses into appropriate disciplines and support submission of courses for transfer articulation. The committee will advise faculty on criteria and requirements for transfer general education patterns and transfer degrees.
- Review and make recommendations on proposed course and program deletions and inactive status.
- Vote whether or not to recommend course or program additions, deletions, or changes to the Academic Senate (which recommends to the NVC Board of Trustees for approval).
The Curriculum Committee ordinarily meets in Room 1434/1435 on the first Friday of each month from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Other curriculum committee meetings such as the GE Subcommittee and New Program Taskforce will hold meetings on the third Friday of each month from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Meeting dates are listed below.
| Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 |
| August 22* | February 6 |
| September 5 | March 6 |
| October 3 | May 1 |
| November 7 | |
| December 5 |
*Flex Day meetings scheduled at a different time and location. The Faculty Co-Chair may schedule additional meetings as needed.
Other curriculum committee meetings such as the GE Subcommittee and New Program Task Forces will hold meetings on the third Friday of each month. These dates are listed below.
| Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 |
| September 20 | February 20 |
| October 17 | March 20 |
| November 21 | April 17 |
As required by the California Brown Act on open meetings, all committee agendas and supporting documents will be posted at least 72 hours in advance to BoardDocs. Opportunity for public comment will be provided at the beginning of each meeting.
- The committee intends to continue to offer members of the public the opportunity to participate virtually via Zoom at the following address: https://napavalley-edu.zoom.us/j/84191462768 However, as this option is being provided as a matter of convenience to the public and not pursuant to the modified Brown Act teleconferencing rules, please be advised that the District does not guarantee public participation via Zoom. If Zoom fails or there are any other technical difficulties, the meeting will continue in person without virtual participation.
- If you require accessibility accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact the Curriculum Committee Faculty Co-Chair at: anaclare.elizarraras@napavalley.edu
VOTING MEMBERS:
Faculty Representatives:
- Curriculum Committee Faculty Co-Chair (votes only in the event of a tie)
- Articulation Officer
- Faculty Representatives (appointed by Academic Senate President)
Classified Representative:
- Curriculum Analyst
- Admissions and Records Analyst (appointed by Classified Senate President)
Student Representative:
- Student (appointed by ASNVC President)
Non-Voting Members:
- Curriculum Committee Administrative Co-Chair (VPAA)
- Academic Deans (as determined by the Administrative Co-Chair)
| Curriculum Committee Membership 2024-2025 | ||
|
Faculty |
Division |
Contact |
|
Ana Clare Elizarrarás |
Curriculum Committee Faculty Co-Chair |
|
| Steve Balassi | Faculty Representative for Social Sciences | sbalassi@napavalley.edu |
| Steve Ball | Faculty Representative for Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance | sball@napavalley.edu |
| Andrea Bewick | Faculty Representative for English | abewick@napavalley.edu |
| Molly Hodgins | Faculty Representative for Career Education and Workforce Development | molly.hodgins@napavalley.edu |
| Stacey Howard | Articulation Officer | showard@napavalley.edu |
| Lynda Letona | Faculty Librarian | lynda.letona@napavalley.edu |
| Eric Martinez | Faculty Representative for Counseling | emartinez@napavalley.edu |
| Megan McWilliams | Faculty Representative for Health Occupations | mmcwilliams@napavalley.edu |
| Nicollette Morales | Faculty Representative for Arts and Humanities | nicollette.morales@napavalley.edu |
| Marisa Garcia-Rodriguez | Faculty Representative for Language Arts and Developmental Studies | marisa.garcia@napavalley.edu |
| Gary Strommen | Faculty Representative for Career Education and Workforce Development | gstrommen@napavalley.edu |
| Alysia Thomas | Faculty Representative for Science and Engineering | athomas@napavalley.edu |
| Nathan Yoshino | Faculty Representative for Science and Engineering | nathan.yoshino@napavalley.edu |
|
Administrative |
Division |
|
|
Priscilla Mora |
Curriculum Committee Administrative Co-Chair and Vice President of Academic Affairs |
|
| Jerry Dunlap | Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics & Dance, Administration of Justice and Social Sciences | jdunlap@napavalley.edu |
| Chris Farmer | Dean of Science and Engineering | cfarmer@napavalley.edu |
| Robert Harris | Senior Dean of LADS, Arts and Humanities, and Health Occupations | rharris@napavalley.edu |
| Douglas Marriott | Senior Dean of Career Education and Academic Pathways | douglas.marriott@napavalley.edu |
| Shawntel Ridgle | Senior Director of Continuing Education and Community Partnerships | shawntel.ridgle@napavalley.edu |
| Ryan Smith | Dean of Counseling Services and Student Success | ryan.smith@napavalley.edu |
| Classified | ||
|
Michelle Hinchcliff |
Classified Representative |
mhinchcliff@napavalley.edu |
|
Katherine Lebe |
Curriculum Analyst |
katherine.lebe@napavalley.edu |
|
Student |
||
| Vacant |
ASNVC Student Representative |
|
- Courses not offered in the last three years - archive date of October 3, 2025
- Review of courses not updated in the last six years/two years (CTE)
- Common Course Numbering
- Class caps subcommittee
- Update Curriculum Handbook to Academic Senate for approval
- Continue to support faculty submitting curriculum proposals
- Advise Academic Senate on curriculum-related policies and procedures
- Update Curriculum Committee webpage
- Expansion of Credit for Prior Learning offerings
Mission
Napa Valley College transforms lives. Whether your goal is to transfer, to pursue a career, or to explore your interests, Napa Valley College provides excellent educational and professional opportunities that are student-centered1, equity-focused2, and community-oriented3.
Vision
Napa Valley College cultivates a learning environment grounded in equity, inclusion, and empowerment.
Values
Napa Valley College is a community of learners that strive to grow, teach, model, and emulate the following values in ourselves and in our students.
Integrity: We treat each other ethically and foster an environment of trust.
Accountability: We commit to ensuring that our actions align with our words and recognize the importance of clear expectations and follow-through that is timely and clearly communicated.
Respect: We recognize each other’s humanity, demonstrate consideration for others, and connect through active listening and sharing perspectives to achieve common goals.
Inclusion: We embrace the power of diverse peoples, perspectives, and experiences. We commit to creating a flexible and responsive environment where everyone can thrive and learn.
Equity-Mindedness: We commit to being evidence-based, race-conscious, institutionally focused, systemically aware, and equity advancing4.
Social Justice: We commit to being anti-racist and dismantling systemic injustices to ensure access to resources and opportunities necessary for success.
Sustainability: We pledge to center sustainability by recognizing the interconnectedness of a healthy ecological environment, upholding universal human rights, and equitable stewardship of economic resources, all of which are necessary to the wellbeing of current and future generations.
1 Student-Centered: continuously improve the student experience by providing wrap-around support services and an environment which promotes the success of all students in achieving their educational goals
2 Equity-Focused: maintain open access to higher education for all students and address performance gaps in outcomes among disproportionately impacted students
3 Community-Oriented: foster a sense of belonging on campus, while also building connections with our larger community
4 The equity-mindedness value describes an approach to help achieve the college vision and is drawn from the research of Estela Mara Bensimon and the University of Southern California Center for Urban Education. The equity-focused environment of Napa Valley College focuses specifically on access and outcomes for students.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, November 16, 2023
Students who receive a degree from Napa Valley College will demonstrate the following:
- Communication and Critical Thinking
- Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
- Global and Civic Awareness
- Intercultural Literacy and Creativity
- Personal, Academic, and Career Development
Curriculum Management System
Curriculum Modification Resources
Chapter One: Authority
- Title 5 and Board Policy
- Role of Curriculum Committee
Chapter Three: Standing Rules and Procedures
- Membership
- Agendas
- Parliamentary Rules
- Subcommittees
Chapter Four: The Curriculum Approval Process
- Committee Timelines
- Course Approval Process
- Substantive vs. Non-Substantive Modifications
- Discipline Placement Process
- Program Approval Process
- Course and Program Archival Process
- New Program and Program Archival Taskforces
Chapter Five: Criteria and Standards for Approval
- Development Criteria
- Standards for Course Approval
- Degrees and Certificates
- Distance Education Definitions and Standards
Chapter Six: The Course Outline of Record
- Purpose of the Course Outline of Record
- Required Components
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the COR
- Writing Standards and Guidelines
Chapter Seven: General Education Requirements
- NVC General Education
- Cal-GETC