Washtenaw Community College
Washtenaw Community College benchmarks have focused on measurable student outcomes with disaggregated cohort data for several years. College personnel want to learn more about which student success interventions work and why. With Achieving the Dream, the college will:
- Distribute data across all campus units;
- Improve success and persistence of first time in college (FTIC) students;
- Create stronger linkages with local feeder high schools;
- Increase writing and reading success;
- Collaborate with universities to learn more about how students fare after they transfer and
- Improve articulation with universities
The college uses “On Course” and other strategies to help students become more independent learners. It also participates in a statewide study of developmental education and a demonstration project to streamline the transition of students from adult basic education programs to community colleges. WCC has partnered with several organizations to create community relief programs where needed. With Ann Arbor SPARK, the Pfizer Response community effort was developed to help retain talent, attract businesses, launch new businesses and help assess and mitigate the loss of Pfizer. The college also joins colleges and universities across Michigan in encouraging students with incomplete degrees to “Return to Learn”.
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) serves residents of two university communities: Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti; its 285-acre main campus is located in Ann Arbor, however, four extension centers bring learning to off-campus areas: west of Ann Arbor, Brighton, Hartland, and Ypsilanti. In Fall 2009, the college enrolled 14,200 students; 33% were students of color. The Fall 2009 Achieving the Dream cohort had a high percentage of students placing into developmental math; while 26% of students in this cohort placed into developmental English and 21% into reading, an alarming 65% were referred to developmental math.
As the economic situation in Michigan has worsened, the college's student population has grown quickly and become more diverse. Dramatically larger numbers of older, lower-skilled adults now attend the college. These displaced workers require academic support to relearn basic skills and gain computer literacy. Many need financial support, guidance to choose new career paths, and emotional support as they grieve the loss of their familiar lifestyles. The number of formerly incarcerated individuals enrolling at the college has increased as well.
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.
