HONOLULU — Kaua‘i Community College is among the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges recognized as a leader in the national student completion movement by Achieving the Dream. A national nonprofit, Achieving the Dream leads the nation’s most comprehensive non-governmental reform
HONOLULU — Kaua‘i Community College is among the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges recognized as a leader in the national student completion movement by Achieving the Dream.
A national nonprofit, Achieving the Dream leads the nation’s most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for community college student success and completion.
The seven schools that comprise the UHCC were recognized as one of 14 institutions designated as a 2012 Leader College for demonstrating sustained improvement and accomplishments on key student achievement indicators, including student persistence and completion.
“We’re honored to be recognized as an Achieving the Dream Leader College,” said John Morton, vice president for UH Community Colleges. “This prestigious designation as a leader college certainly affirms our commitment to helping students achieve success and recognizes the perseverance of our faculty and staff in making data-informed decisions in closing achievement gaps and removing barriers for our students, particularly Native Hawaiian students and low-income students.”
Leader Colleges demonstrate the power of the Achieving the Dream Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement by raising persistence and graduation rates and closing achievement gaps.
Each college approaches the work differently, but with the guidance of the model and Achieving the Dream coaches, colleges implement data-informed programs and policies that build long-term, institution-wide commitment to student success.
Examples implemented in Hawai‘i colleges include college readiness programs, mandatory new student orientation, student success courses, developmental course redesign, curriculum redesign, and intensive and individualized advising.
“We are proud of the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges for earning this respected distinction,” said Rachel Singer, Achieving the Dream vice president for community college relations and applied research.
“These seven community colleges in Hawai‘i have raised the bar on promising practices that will impact policies to help more students succeed. They deserve recognition for their dedication to the student success movement.”
In order to be eligible for Leader College distinction, colleges must demonstrate commitment to and progress on the principles and values of Achieving the Dream including committed leadership, use of evidence to improve programs and services, broad engagement, and systemic institutional improvement all guided by a student-centered vision focused on equity and excellence.
Additionally, each Leader College has successfully implemented at least one student success intervention that is advancing student outcomes.
In addition to the UHCC, Achieving the Dream recognized community colleges in Michigan, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Illinois, South Carolina, Texas and Massachusetts.
These colleges have identified workable solutions to issues such as enhancing the experience of first-year students, improving developmental education, closing achievement gaps, strengthening academic and personal advising for students in need of additional support, strengthening links to high schools and four-year institutions to strengthen student preparation and advancement, and increasing retention, persistence rates, and the number of certificate and degree recipients.
To learn more about Leader Colleges, visit www.achievingthedream.org/get_involved/leader_colleges or to learn more about the many programs and opportunities with the UHCC, visit uhcc.hawaii.edu or http://kauai.hawaii.edu online.
