Wed. April 20, 2016 Board of Trustees Meeting 2017 Aspen Prize Wed. April 20, 2016 Board of Trustees Meeting Include Kim and Alison

Background information Who: The Aspen Institute (an educational/policy studies organization in DC) What: Identifies top 150 US colleges (measures of student success) When: Every other year (4th round) WCC: Identified in the last 3 rounds, including the 2017 prize cycle Other colleges: Renton, Olympic, South Puget Sound, Pierce Fort Steilacoom, Highline, Everett, Tacoma, and Clark (Walla Walla shared the top prize in 2013) The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute has campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also maintains offices in New York City and has an international network of partners. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: Seminars, which help participants reflect on what they think makes a good society, thereby deepening knowledge, broadening perspectives and enhancing their capacity to solve the problems leaders face. Young-leader fellowships around the globe, which bring a selected class of proven leaders together for an intense multi-year program and commitment. The fellows become better leaders and apply their skills to significant challenges. Policy programs, which serve as nonpartisan forums for analysis, consensus building, and problem solving on a wide variety of issues. Public conferences and events, which provide a commons for people to share ideas.

3 measures of student success Performance: persistence, completion, and transfer Change over time: consistent improvement in outcomes over time Equity/minority rates: equity in outcomes for students of all racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds The identification of the top 150 colleges is based on these three areas. 1. Measures of performance: First year retention rates, three-year graduation rates, certificates and degrees awarded per 100 FTE 2. Change over time: Annual change in these measures 3. Equity measures Graduation rate for URM (African American, Hispanic, and Native American) students Certificates and degrees awarded per 100 FTE URM students Low income service area (used instead of Pell eligibility)

3 measures of student success…data   1. Performance 2. Change over time 3. Equity: Minority rates First-year retention rate 3-year graduation rate Credentials awarded per 100 FTE students Performance - year-to-year increase or decrease over 5 years Average of all colleges 52.1 39.4 35.2 1.7 34.4 21.2 Average of top 152 colleges 58.3 49.8 44.0 2.9 44.8 27.5 WCC 57.8 46.9 59.4 0.0 36.9 34.2

Application Completion outcomes Labor market outcomes Learning outcomes Equitable outcomes

1. Completion outcomes highlights English 101+ Early alert Degree plans Record number of associates’ degrees Increase in course completion rates… Face-to-face: 80% in 2011-12 to 83% in 2014-15 WCC online: 73% in 2011-12 to 81% in 2014-15 Increase in retention rates over past 5 years

2. Labor market outcomes highlights Median annual earnings in 2014… Use of labor market data to develop BAS degree Licensure rates Whatcom County workers $25,925 2012-13 WCC graduates $29,626 2008-09 WCC graduates $41,259 2012-13 WCC CIS graduates $35,651 2012-13 WCC PTA graduates $43,524 2012-13 WCC nursing graduates $49,858 All of these efforts are paying off – literally – for students. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual earnings for Whatcom County workers were only $25,925 in 2014. WCC students completing degrees find added earning potential. In 2014, 2012-13 WCC graduates earned a median wage of $29,626, while 2008-09 graduates earned $41,259. Graduates from WCC’s renowned CIS program in 2012-13 earned $35,651 in 2014. Physical therapist assistant graduates earned a median wage of $43,524 and nursing graduates earned $49,858. Many other graduates transfer to four-year institutions where they go on to earn bachelor’s degrees or professional degrees, with even greater earning potential. Use of labor market data to develop BAS degree Licensure rates

3. Learning outcomes highlights All courses have approved course outcomes Course outcome report as part of faculty professional plan and report

Example of a course outcome report Course outcome report: The course outcome report guides faculty reflection on the teaching, learning, and assessment strategies used in their classes. The report is designed to take faculty through a systematic examination of the connection between a course outcome, teaching and learning strategies, and assessments. Faculty select one course outcome for this report as the insights gained from this process are transferable to other courses.

4. Equitable outcomes highlights Title III grant Strategic enrollment management goal on equity Disaggregated course completion, retention, and graduation rate graphs for academic transfer and professional-technical students combined

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