The MAC: One Provider’s Story of Implementing a Transitions Center Cynthia Gaede – I-BEST and Transitions Director Cammie Ochoa – Program Specialist, Master Achiever Center

A CTIVITY Transition Center Ideas & Practices: 1. Fill out the half-sheet, addressing these questions: 2. In a group of 4 to 5, discuss which three resources or additions you would implement and prepare to share with the larger group. Green SheetBlue Sheet Question: What three resources would you include as part of a transitions center in order to best meet the needs or your students? Question: What three resources would you never eliminate from your transitions center?

T RANSITIONS BEST PRACTICES Clear definition of “transitions” Funding “Transitions” atmosphere; attitude of institution Low-cost for students Non-academic resources and support available to students Understanding of student and community needs Innovative Services Set institutional goals Institutional priority

I NITIAL PLANNING Question: What can we do to increase student transition rates? Solutions: Support functions that align with instructional efforts related to transitions Lessons From TRiO Physical Space Intrusive Advising Access to Tutoring Connection with Support Services

T HE M ASTER A CHIEVER C ENTER : MAC G OALS MAC students will: demonstrate higher retention rates increase total number of momentum points earned specifically increase number of momentum points by completing pre-college English or Math self-assess at a higher level of independence regarding knowledge of college processes

I NFRASTRUCTURE Dedicated space in Basic Skills building Location 1 Full-time Advisor/Specialist AmeriCorps Position Staffing Student Services and Instruction Steering Committee Campus Connections TABdb Google Docs Data Tracking College Spark Washington Funding

Goal Setting Career Exploration Advising Financial Planning Barrier Mitigation Workshops Peer Mentoring M AC FUNCTIONS

GOAL SETTING AND CAREER EXPLORATION ICA Curriculum: SMART GOALS Self–exploration Occupational Exploration Career and Educational Planning

A DVISING Certificate/Degree Planning Class Registration Intrusive Advising

F INANCIAL PLANNING FAFSA Application Support Scholarship Search Guidance Identify Program Specific Funding Worker Retraining Opportunity Grant WorkFirst BFET

P RESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS COMPASS Preparation Workshop Tutoring and Resources Orientation The Math Learning Center Tutoring & Resource Center The Speaking Center The Writing Center Registration Workshop Beginning of Quarter Classroom Presentations

PEER MENTORING One-on-One Meetings FAFSA Application Support RESOURCES Computers Books Student Achievement Portfolio Start-up Kits

S TUDENTS SERVED : MAC VISITS SEPTEMBER12JANUARY42 OCTOBER23FEBRUARY97 NOVEMBER52MARCH42 DECEMBER36APRIL125 TOTAL123MAY183 JUNE69 JULY107 AUGUST68 SEPTEMBER58 OCTOBER147 TOTAL938 BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM ABE36 BRIDGE40 ESOL64 GED77 I-BEST72 OTHER14 TOTAL303

1 ST YEAR RESULTS : Category Measurement Method Actual Results Retention Rates Increase year to year retention from 48% to 65% 76% of MAC students were retained from summer/fall through spring quarter Momentum Points Increase from 3.4 points per student to 3.7 points per student MAC students earned an average of 4.5 points per student Developmental Education Completion Developmental Education taken within 2 years will increase from 11% to 20% In the first year, 9% of MAC students have already earned momentum points

M AC EXPANSION I-BEST ABE/GED ESOL Student Expansion Part-time MAC Advisor/Specialist FT AmeriCorps Member Part-time Office Assistant Program Expansion Already need bigger space! Location Expansion

I MPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS What worked : Dedicated space for our students Full-time, intensive advising supports Keeping strong connections with existing Student Services Challenges: Workshops and activities that meet the scheduling needs of our students Scaffolding – Building independence Populations have different needs/advising pathways The MAC model took best practices from TRiO and adapted them for our basic skills population

Questions? Contact Information: Cynthia Gaede ext Cammie Ochoa ext