|
|
 |
|
Dr.
Davis Jenkins addresses administration, faculty, and staff of
Edison State Community College during a visit.
|
|
Edison State Joins
Nationwide Movement
As part of a nationwide effort amongst community colleges, Edison State
Community College is working toward implementing the Guided Pathways to
Success initiative to help students complete programs faster through
early planning, program mapping, and guidance and support throughout
their education.
Dr. Davis Jenkins, a co-author of the groundbreaking book Redesigning
America’s Community Colleges and a senior research associate at the
Community College Research Center (CRCC) at Columbia University’s
Teachers College, recently visited Edison State to meet with faculty,
administration, and staff about Edison State’s implementation of the
Guided Pathways initiative.
“After a day talking with faculty, staff, administrators, and board
members, I think Edison State is well poised to implement clearer
pathways to success for their students,” said Jenkins. “They’ve got
some of the key pieces in place and faculty and staff seem to be on
board and are asking good questions. We at CCRC are looking forward to
learning from Edison State as these improvements are put in place.”
The guided pathways model is an integrated, institution-wide approach
to student success that includes four essential practices: (1)
clarification of paths to student end goals through program maps and
transfer pathways; (2) helping students choose and enter a pathway
bridging K12 to higher education and assisting students by aligning
mathematics and foundational skills with their program of study; (3)
helping students stay on their chosen path by providing strong advising
along with academic and non-academic supports; and (4) ensuring that
students are learning skills and knowledge required for success in
employment and further education.
“We were honored to have Dr. Jenkins on our campus to offer his
expertise regarding our implementation of the Guided Pathways to
Success initiative,” said Chris Spradlin, Provost at Edison State. “Dr.
Jenkins provided a wealth of detailed information, valuable insight,
and encouragement that will help us to refine our approach to promoting
student success at Edison State.”
The announcement was also made that Edison State has been selected as
one of six community colleges in Ohio to participate in a research
study conducted by the CCRC of the guided pathways project.
Following a 2-day site visit in the spring, the CCRC will provide
feedback to Edison State, summarizing initial observations about the
College’s adoption of guided pathways practices as well as suggestions
for improving implementation moving forward. Following the
conclusion of all six site visits, the CRCC will prepare a
comprehensive report that will integrate findings across the
institutions.
Edison State is a member of the Student Success Leadership Institute
sponsored by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges and the Ohio
Department of Higher Education. The Institute is funded by the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation and the Great Lakes Higher Education
Guaranty Corporation. All 23 of Ohio’s community colleges are
participating in the Institute through which the Guided Pathways
initiative is being developed.
|
|
|
|
