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Background
SIPI, located in the heart of Indian country, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is in close proximity to 23 Indian tribes, two national laboratories (Sandia and Los Alamos), major state universities, and high-tech industry and corporations with a direct interest in hiring SIPI graduates. Albuquerque is among the top 10 American Indian-populated cities in the U.S. with 22,047 American Indian residents, and it has the fourth highest percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives among cities with 100,000 or more. More than 100 tribes are represented in the student body. SIPI has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1975.
The majority of SIPI students are first generation in their families to pursue post-secondary education, making SIPI’s commitment to the goals of Achieving the Dream critical. More than 55 percent of entering students begin their studies in developmental education.
Achieving the Dream Goals
As a result of SIPI’s Achieving the Dream initiative, developmental faculty focus on curriculum and instructional delivery to improve student retention, improve students’ skills and content knowledge and move students successfully through developmental education with the goal of better preparing students for entry in postsecondary education. A centralized Academic Support Center also serves as a major campus intervention for retention.
During 2005–2006, 59 percent of SIPI’s developmental education students entered the college’s certificate/degree programs. The campus wants to:
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Increase the number of students completing developmental courses;
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Ensure that developmental students persist from one academic term to the next;
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Enroll developmental students in college-level courses; and
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Increase the overall graduation rate of its students.
SIPI plans to focus on developing a more comprehensive First Year Experience, examine and redefine campus polices, and build its institutional research capacity.
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