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Background
Brookhaven College is part of the Dallas County Community College District. It serves the northwest section of Dallas, TX, and the cities of Farmers Branch, Carrollton, Coppell and Addison. To accommodate the rapid metropolitan population growth, the college plans to build five new instructional buildings in the next eight years.
The college enrolls over 10,000 students, including international students who represent more than 100 countries and speak 95 languages. About half of its Black and Hispanic students are first-generation college students. Fifty-six percent of students enroll in developmental courses, and Blacks and Hispanics are over-represented in the lowest levels of remedial math, writing and reading.
Achieving the Dream Goals
Brookhaven’s low graduation rate (4.2 percent) and performance gaps between minority students and Whites, males and females, first-generation students and others are priority concerns. In response, the college seeks to
- Strengthen developmental education;
- Improve student services;
- Provide professional development to faculty;
- Cultivate learning-centered environments on campus.
Brookhaven College will test two intensive versions of learning communities. Sixty new students with low placement scores will enter an eight-week, full-time summer program with mentoring; accelerated courses in math, reading and writing; enrichment and social opportunities; and advising. Another group of 60 will be placed in a learning community without mentoring and structured social interactions. The most effective practices from each will be adapted to serve the approximately 600 students who enter the college each semester needing three remedial courses. Changes in student services and faculty development are planned. Designs for new and renovated buildings will facilitate faculty-student interactions.
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