Leading Transformational Change:

A Total Focus on Hispanic Student Success

Eighteen Years of Excellence: Changing Lives & Communities

(South Texas College, 2010)

Location

(South Texas College, 2010)

Service Area• 93% Hispanic Enrollment

• First Generation-Low, Income College Students

• Over 90% on Financial Aid (State/Federal)

• McAllen MSA Fastest Growing in the Nation

• Youngest Population in the Nation

(South Texas College, 2010)

In Eighteen Years …• $3.9 million to $139 million budget

• 267 to 2,250 faculty and staff

• 1 to 6 Campuses

• 100+ degree and certificate program options

• 3 BAT Degrees

• 1,000 to over 30,000 credit bearing students

• 24,000+ Graduates

(South Texas College, 2010)

Critical Gap

Critical Gap

Critical Gap

Critical Gap

CompletionPoint

CompletionPoint

Birth to PK High9-12

Lower Division

Upper Division

Middle6-8

CompletionPoint

ElementaryPK-5

(7th–10th Grade Dropout)

(High School to College)

(First Year Retention & 2-

Year Completion)

(Transfer from 2-year to 4-year & 4-year

Completion)

Educational Pipeline Gaps …• Must address each segment

(Adapted from THECB, 2007)

The Hispanic Challenge• Degree Achievement Disparities

– Ethnicity

– Income

• The educational disparity between Hispanics and other groups in Texas is impacting economic development in region and state

• 60,000 new Hispanic students are expected to enter Texas community colleges in the next decade.

• 24,000 are expected to enter Texas prisons in the next decade.

• Most important social imperative for the next decade

• Closing the Gaps: A Tale of Two States – And One Million Jobs!! Perryman

• 10-5-2-1

Current Economic Challenge

• Do more with less

• Stay focused on mission

• Respond to community needs

• Make decisions based on what we value

The economic future of South Texas, to a great extent, will be influenced by our ability

to increase the educational level and competitive workforce skills of all residents

of Hidalgo & Starr Counties.

Focusing on C3

College Ready…

College Going…

College Completion…

Building a Culture of Evidence & Inquiry

• Quantitative Data: Identify Gaps in Student Success

– Enrollment Patterns

– Late Registration

• Qualitative Data: Understanding the Underlying factors of Gaps in Student Success

– Focus Groups

– Student Essays

Qualitative Data – Listen to the Voices

• Fall 2005 Barrier Study

– 25 Student Focus Groups & 387 Essays

– 22 Faculty and Staff Focus Groups

• Fall 2007 Follow Up Barrier Study conducted

• Spring 2010 Barrier Study 3 conducted

Quantitative Data - Late Registration

• Define Late Registrants

• Data is Key

• Broad Based Participation

• Proposed Plan

– Be ready to shift

– Communication Plan

• Recovery Plan

– Access is Mission Critical

What did we do? • Eliminated Late Registration

• Implemented Comprehensive Advising

• Implemented Faculty Advising Training

• Placed Counselors in the Classroom

• Financial Literacy

• Changed our Message

– Comprehensive Mission

– Build a College Going Culture

Follow Up Study - 2007

Did we make a difference?

2005 Barrier Study 2007 Barrier Study1. Money

2. Lack of Information

3. Work/Job Time Management

4. Facilities/Equipment

5. Child/Daycare/Family

6. Course Offerings

7. Developmental/THEA

8. Technology

1. Instructor Issues

2. Child/Family

3. Course Offerings

4. Developmental/THEA

5. Work/Job Time Management

6. Personnel

7. Money

8. Lack of Information

K-12 collaboration; College Ready & College Going.

Strategic Directions

…proudly provides opportunities to all students with high expectations

for their success.

…leads the transformation of the region to a

“college-going” culture whereby attending and completing higher

education is expected...

…catalyst for regional economic prosperity and social mobility.

College Begins In

Kindergarten

Department Led – Division Supported Enrollment Services

http://jagtv.southtexascollege.edu/

Connecting with the Community

Cultivating Relationships

• 183 Elementary Schools

– 7 School Adoptions

– Campus Visits

• 56 Middle Schools

– Get on the right track

• 56 High Schools Campuses

– Summer Leadership Institute

Innovative High School Partnerships

• STEM Focus

• 9 Early College High Schools

• McAllen College and Career Technology Initiative

• Dual Enrollment Academies

– Medical Science

– Engineering

– Computer Science

• Kindergarten – 8th grade

• Junior Jaguars

• It is never too early to begin preparing for college

http://juniorjaguars.southtexascollege.edu/

College Begins in Kindergarten

Our Approach: 10-11th Grades

• Picking up momentum

• Time to take care of business

• Why TAKS is so important?

• Dual enrollment opportunities

• Will you need to take ACCUPLACER?

• Visit a college campus

• Academies

• Demystify the process

• College Bound

• Admissions Application

• FAFSA

• Test prep & remediation

• One-stop shops

• Orientation

Our Approach: 12th Grade

Recovery Programs & at Risk Students

• 5th Year Seniors

• TAKS Liable &/or Missing Credits – through age 25

• Maintain Enrollment & Momentum

• College Success + DE Credit

• GED

• Quick Wins

Department Led – Division Supported Student Support Services

• College Success: a parent’s perspective

• Difference between high school & college

• Get Connected – Clubs & Organizations

• Avoid being a P.C.P. student

After Graduation – What is Next?

First Year Connections• Foundations of Excellence 2007• Implemented 2008 - $100K budget• To date: over 13,500 attendees• Next Steps – Increase Academic Affairs role

“Trying to bring the parents in early on is important,” She recalls a student survey that indicated the top impediment to keeping Hispanic students in the college pipeline was a lack of information for parents who influence students’ college-going decisions. “‘Can you please give this information

to my parents?’ was the leading request of respondents.”- Dr. Patricia Gándara

Co-director of the Civil Rights Project at the UCLA

Don’t Forget About Your Current Student Body

• Outreach not limited to K-12

• Student “call to action” notices

– Mass notification

– Plasmas

– Whiteboards

– Email

– Student Portal Targeted Announcements

– Social Networking

Priority Registration• Focus

– Gatekeeper Courses

– At Risk Students

– Change Student Behavior

• Expand to Academic Divisions

• Incorporate Financial Aid

• Departmental Led, Division Supported

Professional Development & Training

• Summer Leadership Institute

– ISD Counselors & Faculty

– Promote “College Going Culture”

– NACADA Training Modules

– “Credit Smart Espanol”

– Shadow SAEM and Instructional Support Units

• Dual Enrollment Faculty and Staff Development

Comprehensive Advisement• FTIC Case Management Academic Advisors

• Faculty Advising

• Counselors – Probation/Suspension students

• Student Success Specialists – Transitional Advising

• Beacon Mentoring– Target Gatekeeper courses

STC - Case Management Results

Fall 2006 Fall 2008 Fall 2009

CMFTICs

Non CM

FTICs

CMFTICs

Non CM

FTICs

CMFTICs

Non CM

FTICs

Term GPA 2.17 2.18 2.50 2.16 2.35 2.00

Fall – FallRetention

55.7% 48.2% 68.5% 51.3% 65% 53.9%

N 618 618 880 880 1797 1797

Department Led – Division Supported Student Financial Services

Financial Aid Case Study• Seek to understand the financial aid process from the

students’ lens.

• 3 separate qualitative studies

• Part I – Convenience Sample Content Analysis

– 73 Online students enrolled in LASS courses

– Short answer instrument delivered online

• Part II – 6 Focus Groups & 9 Interviews

– Early & Late Applicants

• Part III – Case Study Analysis – 5 participants

– 2 Early, 1 Mid, 2 Late Applicants

Qualitative Themes• Student Self-Perceptions

– Welfare mentality

• Customer Service Complaints– Long lines– Students leave face to face encounters with questions unanswered.– Students have reluctance to visit, many cannot communicate their

needs.

• Student Correspondence– Lack of Notification– Online Reluctance

• Reliance on F/A Office• Perceptions of Staff

– Training needs– Lack of empathy

Again, that look….• “Her eyes told me exactly what she thought”

• “She made me feel stupid”

• “She was quick and cold, telling me to leave so she can continue her phone call”

• “If I ask a question, it means that I don’t understand, you do not have to look at me like that”

• “The treatment is different every time you go!”

How Does it Actually Work?• From start to finish, students really do not know the

complete picture.

• Many do not connect the idea of federal, state and institutional interfacing.

• They do not understand the disconnect between STC FA decisions, and federal FAFSA based decisions.

• In addition, much confusion is compounded by the needs and action/contact with the admissions (bursars) office.

• Students may not clearly understand the nature of the Pell and standards imposed.

Actions/Changes• Office Name – Student Financial Services

• Added Staffing

– Associate Director, Coordinator for Front Line Services, Technology Expertise, Outreach staff

• Customer Service Training - FISH

• Implementing Banner CRM

– Track all correspondence with students

• Incorporating Financial Aid into SA&EM initiatives

– College Bound

– Priority Registration (Spring)

– 2009 50%+ of FAFSAs received before June 1

• 2010 - $60 Million Administered

THE FOUR!

MakeTheir Day!

Be There!

Play!Attitude!

How can we be present for the Students

and Co-workers?

Be There!

Smile!

Be Patient

Be Confident

Graduation/CompletionDepartment Led – Division Supported

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

Why is Completion Important?

Retrieved from www.AIE.org – 2010 Texas Median Wages by Degree Level Source US Census Bureau Community Survey 2010

$19,000No High

School

Diploma

$26,000High

School

Diploma

$40,000Associate

Degree$50,000Bachelor’s

Degree

$60,000Master’s

Degree$80,000

Doctoral

Degree

$86,000Professional

Degree

Graduation is the Path to the Middle Class

• Serving as a pathway to prosperity

• Helping create high-skill, high-wage jobs

• 95% Graduate Placement Rate for Eight

Straight Years

• Preparing graduates for good paying jobs with

an A+ employer satisfaction rating

Student Intent & College Accountability

• Fall 2011 - Over 80% of First Time in College Students indicated that their intent is to earn a Degree or Certificate.

Graduation Rates Do Not Tell the True Story

• IPEDS (Who is counted?)

– First-time freshman

– Enrolled Full-time

– Seeking a Degree

– Enrolled in the fall semester = FTFTF

– 150% of Degree

Graduation Rates Do Not Tell the True Story cont.

• IPEDS (Who is not counted?)

– Transfer students

– Part-time students

– Returning students

– Students who begin in the Spring semester

– Dual Enrollment Students who earn a degree in high school

Profile of STC 2010 Graduates

Total in Cohorts 835 30%

10+ years 637-9 years 804-6 years 294

3 years or less 327

Total Not in Cohorts 1950 70%2nd+ Award 420

Not Included 1530

Total 2010 Graduates 2785 100%

Graduation Rate and Total Graduates

Institution of Higher Education FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010

South Texas College 13.6% 13.9% 12.7% 11.7% 13.0% 14.7% 17.1%

Very Large Colleges - Statewide 8.3% 8.8% 9.1% 9.0% 8.7% 9.7% 10.4%

Source: THECB, Accountability System.

Three-Year Rate - Cohort Graduating Rate

Institution of Higher Education FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010

South Texas College 13.6% 13.9% 12.7% 11.7% 13.0% 14.7% 17.1%

STC graduates represented by the Graduation Rate Percentage

223 188 212 201 207 286 327

Total number of STC graduates certified for the year

1,492 1,961 1,236 1,879 2,044 2,287 3,012

Source: STC fact book

How Do We Impact the Graduation Rate?• Graduation Task Force (Dean Driven)

– Cross Divisional

– Review Process

– Identify Strategies

• Graduation Targets Taskforce (VP Driven)– Cross Divisional

– Review Graduation Trends

– Set Stretch Targets by Program

• Cohort Success Initiative (CSI) (VP Driven)

• Graduate on Time (GOT)

CSI & IPEDS• Laser focus on improving graduation rates

– Focus on IPEDS eligible cohort: FTFTF

– In addition to, not in place of current strategies

• Cross Divisional Members, Support & Strategies

• Review eligible cohorts beginning with 2007– Create timeline for review of cohorts using 150%

of degree as benchmark

• 19 additional graduates = 1% IPEDS increase

• Summer 2010

– Establishment of College-wide Cohort Success Initiative Task Force

• CSI Goal

– Double the cohort graduation rate in the next year

• How will this be achieved? – Academic Affairs strategies

– Student Support Services

– Academic Support Services

– Data Management and Reporting

– Coordination Across Divisions

Graduate on Time (GOT)

Fall 2011

Total Credit Student Headcount 30,558

Returning Students -14,700

Current Dual Enrollment HS Students -10,461

Transfers in from Other Institutions -992

Entering Class – Not Seeking a Degree/Cert. -13

Entering Class – Part-time -1,602

CSI Cohort for Fall 2011Entering Class – Full-time, First-time Cohort 2,790

GOT Students Fall 2010 Cohort -FTIC and TSI complete and Declared Majors 972

Fall 2011 -DATA - CSI & GOT Cohort

Customized Jagnet Student Portal

Jagnet Portal

Customized Jagnet Portal

Retention Status (Fall to Spring)

Fall 2011GOT Cohort

Spring 2012Returned

Spring 2012Stop Outs

972 802 (83%) 170 (17%)

Spring 2012 Status of GOT Cohort

Attendance Status

Spring2012 Returned Full Time Part Time

802 545 (68%) 257 (32%)

Overall GPA & Average Completion Rate

GOT 2011 Cohort GPA Average Completion Rate

802 Returned 2.34 79%

169 Stop outs .94 35%

• Graduation Rate– The GOT program can play an important

role in increasing graduation rate.

• Student Success– The GOT program can positively impact

student success by developing relationships with students and assisting them to navigate the system and graduate on time from South Texas College.

Desired/Potential Impact

The Results

Admissions Application – Dashboard Data

FAFSA Applications– Dashboard Data

Gear Up College Bound Results

• 90% of 2011 Cohort Completed College Admissions Application

• 70% attending college this Fall

Number of Students Testing in College Bound District

ACT2007 2008 2009

370 418 546

First Time in College Enrollment

9% Increase in Percent of HS Graduates Pursuing Texas Higher Education the

Fall After High School Graduation

STC - Enrollment History 1993 to 2011 (Fall)

Dual Enrollment

DE Matriculation

1,879

2,043

2,289

3,027

3,468

1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

34%

13%

8%

11%

Graduates

Enrollment

-3%

5%

Gaining Momentum

• 1st 17 Years of STC’s Existence (1993-2009)19,756 graduates

• By 2014 – The number will Double – 39,500 graduates

• By 2016 – STC will certify our 50,000 graduate!

• Employment becomes the new Challenge.

Every Student Counts!

We are always becoming…

We have not arrived…

Goals:

– 100% Retention Rate

– 100% Graduation Rate

– 100% Placement Rate

– 100% Transfer Student Success

Next Steps…

Completion by Design

“Substantially increasing the completion rates for the students of

South Texas College!”

Closing Achievement Gaps

STC Enrollment Goals:

• Fall 2015 Enrollment – 36,131

• Fall 2020 Enrollment – 45,371

STC Completion Goals:

• 2015 – 5,349 annual graduates

• 2020 – 7,671 annual graduates

We must continue to ensure that students are challenged in the

classroom, not in our processes.

Questions, Discussion, Idea Sharing?

William Serrata, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

South Texas College

wserrata@southtexascollege.edu