Austin Community College District
Re-architecting student support & academic planning bolsters completion by 45.8%
Once the fastest growing community college in the country 10 years running, Austin Community College District (ACC) looked to funnel its explosive energy for growth into breaking down the persistent student success barriers faced by its diverse student population.
Equity first
ACC was built on this cornerstone value: champion student success and equity to the level where all students have equal opportunity and support to achieve their academic goals.
A culture of caring, powered by data
Real-time data now informs student services and instructional practices. Using Civitas Learning’s platform, ACC is equipped to determine the effectiveness of interventions, re-visit processes, and prioritize student outreach. This means the right student gets the right support, at the right time.
Re-imagining the student experience
As ACC implemented Guided Pathways, they organized into 10 meta-majors, focused advising teams, and equipped both advisors and students with a new approach to academic planning. Now, the student’s support network has access to the same information for every student. They’re able to deploy proactive interventions for students in distress and resources where they’re most needed.
ACC’s AVP of Student Engagement and Analytics, Guillermo “Willie” Martinez, Ph. D., reflects on their approach and recent outcomes.
Improved student & institutional outcomes:
+11.7 pp
LIFT IN PERSISTENCE
FROM IMPROVED DEGREE PLANNING, WITH 20K STUDENTS SERVED
+15.5 pp
SURGE IN PERSISTENCE
THROUGH ADVISING CASE MANAGEMENT, WITH 9K STUDENTS SERVED
+4–13 pp
LIFTS IN PERSISTENCE
IMPACT FROM ALL CARE PROGRAMS
10%
REDUCTION IN TIME TO DEGREE
IN THREE YEARS
45+%
IMPROVEMENT IN AWARDED DEGREES
FROM 6,721 IN 2015 TO 9,802 IN 2019
Analysis from 2018-2019
“We want to support every student — no matter where they are in their journey. That means not only improving the free support services and resources, but also doing more to make sure students are aware these resources are available to them. We want students to know that ACC cares about them and their success.”
Richard Rhodes
Chancellor
Austin Community College District
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