Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College seeks a mechanism for sustaining and institutionalizing success throughout the college. With Achieving the Dream, the college plans to:
- Increase program completion to 60%;
- Raise the rate of students who successfully persist from first to second semester by implementing Student Touchpoints, which will use student success-focused professional development for faculty; analyzing student completion data; formulating and implementing at least one early engagement strategy to improve success; and implementing “First Year Experience”, which includes mandatory advising and orientation;
- Improve student success in Intermediate Algebra and English composition I gateway courses; faculty teams will identify data needed to understand underlying factors impeding success, develop strategies to address these factors, implement the strategies, and formulate an evaluation plan to measure effectiveness of strategies and
- Increase completion rates for courses offered in alternative delivery modes with Alternative Delivery Content and Student Support such as mandatory online orientations, online advising, and online tutoring.
A Dream Catchers Team is developing an evidence-based model of student success and identifying barriers to student success to help increase completion rates at the course and program level. The team has adopted Achieving the Dream's five intermediate milestones as the college's benchmarks for measuring overall student success.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) has three campuses and six regional learning centers. It offers Green Bay-area residents more than 100 associate degrees, technical diplomas, and apprenticeships as well as 84 certificate programs. Additionally, NWTC upholds transfer agreements with 28 colleges and universities, covering 57 programs, including all associate degrees. In Fall 2009, the college had 9,273 students; 13% were students of color, and nearly 50% were considered low-income. Approximately 45% of respondents of a 2010 survey of NWTC students were first generation students, 43% were working 21 hours or more a week on average and 55% had an average high school GPA of a B- or lower.
Student success and utilization of data to make improvements have been priorities at the college for several years. A scoring matrix that focuses on student success influences budget decisions, and professional development has been used to build a culture of evidence among faculty and staff. The Student Center features a one-stop center for consolidated student services. The college also has implemented intrusive academic advising, revamped tutoring, expanded financial aid, and added mentoring for associate degree nursing students. It has also added dual credit programs for high school students in construction, welding, and automotive technology.
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.
