Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) has dedicated their efforts to transitioning to a data-driven institution by developing and sustaining a curriculum that ensures success as much as possible.
The Developmental Studies Program at SIPI continues to use pre-test and post-test data to refine the curriculum:
- The Curriculum Committee created a comprehensive Program Assessment Model for assessing certificate and degree programs, General Education, and developmental education programs. All faculty are members of the Curriculum Committee, which has the responsibility of designing, implementing and evaluating a course of study that meets the needs of the students.
- The College adopted a standardized Curriculum Format establishing course level assessment.
- A new catalog with program learning outcomes was published in summer 2011.
- The Curriculum Committee created an Annual Report Process designed to be a tool for faculty and staff to link specific program assessment to the Five-Year Program Review process to assess the academic program and to document changes.
Dr. Sherry Allison, SIPI President, created a Student Life Task Force during this past year. It was comprised of faculty, staff and students, and it conducted a Student Needs and Interest Survey that resulted in the development of several initiatives to enhance student retention and success. The Task Force was so successful that it has been designated a standing committee.
The college also established interventions such as a One-Stop Academic Support Center and a Structured First Year program to support student success. This year, SIPI hired an Institutional Effectiveness Researcher; the establishment of The Institutional Effectiveness Office is perhaps one of the most important steps toward transforming SIPI into a data-driven college.
SIPI, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is in close proximity to 22 Native American 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 Native American-populated cities in the U.S. with approximately 23,300 Native American residents. One hundred percent of SIPI’s students are of Native American descent, and more than 100 tribes are represented in the student body. In Fall 2010, 530 students were enrolled; 89% were financial aid recipients.
The majority of the college’s students are the 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% of entering students begin their studies in developmental education.
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.
