Clover Park Technical College
By becoming an Achieving the Dream Institution, Clover Park can explore the success rates of individuals who may be at a higher risk for dropping out of college or failing to achieve their educational goals, and then be better able to identify practices to help improve retention and completion rates for these students.
The college has already seen success identifying and bridging gaps that impact retention and graduation rates. Since the Academic Year 2006-2007, retention rates have increased 74% for students completing their first 15 credits and 103% for students completing a certificate or degree, as reported in the most recent Student Achievement Initiative (SAI) database. Through the help of Achieving the Dream, the college’s desire to close the gap between the achievement rates of traditional students and those who are first-generation students, minority, or from low-income households is the top priority.
With the help of Achieving the Dream, the college has identified five goals in its strategic plan:
- Reframe technical education for the 21st century
- Develop and continuously improve programs
- Develop a sense of community and organizational identity
- Cultivate a workplace that promotes innovation
- Create opportunities for student achievement and personal success
Clover Park Technical College offers more than 50 programs of study and courses both online and on-campus for students who may be getting ready for their first career, going to the next step within their career, or embarking on a new career. With a large low-income population, Clover Park helps students redefine education to meet their needs. The college’s rich history of professional and technical education dates back to the 1940s when the Clover Park School District established a War Production Program training civilians as auto mechanics for the Mt. Rainier Ordinance Depot. The college is considered “military-friendly” because of the large veteran population enrolling at Clover Park to continue their educational training.
Clover Park’s history as a technical college serves as a reminder that the vision for student success is linked directly to the economic well-being of both their graduates and the surrounding community. In Fall 2009, the total enrollment was 6,575. Nearly 100% of the undergraduate student residence is in-state, 65% are female, and 72% are above the age of 25. The college is located in an area of Washington that only had a 14% bachelor’s degree completion rate in 2010.
The Achieving the Dream Model
Achieving the Dream community colleges commit to our Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. Based on four principles, the model frames the overall work of helping more students, particularly low- income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree.
Each college approaches the work differently, but Achieving the Dream’s five-step process provides practical guidelines for keeping the focus where it belongs and building momentum over time. Throughout the process, Achieving the Dream coaches offer customized support and help each college’s core team implement data-informed programs and policies that build long-term, institution-wide commitment to student success.
