Cabrillo College Emerging Scholars Institute Draft Proposal Update Spring 2008

Institute Mission “To provide students a community in a pedagogically rich environment to enhance the skills they need to be successful in college courses required for their career and/or transfer goals. To provide faculty and staff a community of practice that studies and experiments with pedagogies and curricula that are successful in meeting the needs of these students.”

Who are these students? The Emerging Scholars Institute provides enhanced educational experiences aimed at students who want additional engagement with the college. These may be students who assess into 100 and 200 course levels in ESL, English, Reading, or Math, and/or students earning honors in a variety of college courses.

What is the Institute? SEE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART (Missing column for “educational partners” such as Counseling, Student Government and Clubs, DSPS, EOPS, Financial Aid, Matriculation and Assessment, Admissions and Records, Library, Tutorials Centers…)

Self-Assessment & Survey Organizational & Administrative Practices (College Mission, Master Plan, Space-Planning, etc.) Program Components (Orientation, Assessment, Counseling, Financial Aid) Staff Development (Varied, Available, Rewarded) Instructional Practices (Structured, Effective, Communication between faculty, Culturally Responsive, Holistic (addresses whole student)

Cabrillo Mission Statement The mission of Cabrillo College is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community by assisting all students in their quest for lifelong learning and success in an ever-changing world. Our purpose is to provide an accessible and effective learning environment, which aids students in their pursuit of transfer, career preparation, personal fulfillment, job advancement, and retraining goals. Our core values are academic freedom, critical and independent thinking, and respect for all people and cultures. Our commitment is to encourage excellence, offer a balanced curriculum, promote teaching methods for diverse learning styles, and involve and enrich our community.

Program Components: Orientation, Counseling, Financial Aid College survey suggests mandatory, early advising for basic skills students and consistent follow-up are necessary for student retention and success. Barriers include lack of system to identify and contact students and clearly not enough staffing in these areas, particularly Counseling. Current early steps are one-time counselors working part-time with six classes in English & Reading 255.

Staff Development This area has received a good deal of attention in Cabrillo efforts thus far, particularly on the instructional side, with more training planned. Key is to maintain strong level of support for instructional AND student services staff as we move forward with ongoing plans and limited funding.

Instructional Practices Some learning communities exist; more need to be developed. Communication opportunities for staff in programs for at-risk students need to be developed/institutionalized. Infrastructure for offering alternative programs, schedules, tutoring, and other support services is needed.

Student Activities and Engagement “High touch” approach to outreach and orientation for basic skills and at-risk students. Events, speakers from community, transfer schools, and businesses. Support needs to last through educational goals, graduation, transfer. Prioritize how to serve groups with different needs, including part-time and full-time students, daytime and evening/week-end students, etc.

COFFEE BREAK When we resume in about 15 minutes, please find a table where the paper color matches the happy face on your nametag, and introduce yourself to others around the table.

For Small Group Discussion Have we overlooked any model programs or student learning cohorts in the ESI proposal? How do you think we should focus efforts towards a “high touch” support system for student outreach, orientation, engagement with the college, and follow-up with course success? Should we start with full-time or part-time students? What should priorities be moving forward? What do you think would make the best name for an institute or center or program to oversee all of these efforts? Do you have any further questions about at-risk or basic skills students for our Planning and Research staff?