Pulaski Technical College
Student persistence has increased at Pulaski Technical College (Pulaski Tech) following implementation of mandatory orientation.
Pulaski Tech scaled New Student Orientation in Fall 2009 when it mandated the program for all first-time-in-college (FTIC) students. The two-hour information sessions include oneon- one meetings with advisors. The college continues to evaluate orientation and adjust its content and delivery based on student feedback and other information.
Data indicate that students who attend orientation persist at higher rates than non-participants.
- 87% of the 1,355 orientation attendees in Fall 2010 persisted to Spring 2011 compared with 82% of non-participants. Only 79% of Fall 2007 FTIC students persisted to the next term. Orientation was tested with 97 students in 2007.
- 68% of Fall 2009 students who attended orientation persisted to Fall 2010 compared with 50% of the 200 students who did not attend orientation in Fall 2009. Only 53% of the Fall 2007 FTIC students persisted year-to-year.
Pulaski Tech is located in the most populated, urban area of Arkansas. In Fall 2009, 48% of its 10,260 students were black, 3% were Hispanic. In 2009-2010, 60% of students received Pell grants.
It is one of only two Arkansas community colleges without a local government funding source. It receives less than $3,000 per student in state support, and relies on student tuition and fees for 57% of its budget.
Pulaski Tech coordinates an annual Student Success Symposium with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the University of Central Arkansas in conjunction with the Arkansas Student Success Collaborative. The collaborative facilitates student success initiatives statewide.
Pulaski Tech has institutionalized Achieving the Dream work in its strategic and annual operating plans, and its accreditation process. To improve student success the college currently:
- Offers Faculty Advising
- Plans to open a Center for Working Families that facilitates access to public benefits, education, employability assistance, and financial literacy
- Provides black male students with a Network for Student Success and Learning Communities
In Fall 2010, 65% of the 43 students enrolled in two sections of the learning community that links Basic Mathematics and College Seminar were successful compared to an overall college success rate of 56%.
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.
Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges
Leader Colleges are demonstrating the power of the Achieving the Dream Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. They show us it is possible to raise persistence and graduation rates, close achievement gaps, and change lives. Leader Colleges embody the ultimate goal of Achieving the Dream, and as such, serve as mentors within our community of learners.
To be eligible for Leader College distinction, colleges must show three or more years of improvement on one or more of these five measures:
- Course completion
- Advancement from developmental to credit-bearing courses
- Completion of college-level math and English courses
- Term-to-term and year-to-year retention
- Completion of certificates or degrees
