Strengthening Student Pathways: Integrated Advising Drives Increased Success Presented at Connections 2015 Conference May 15, 2015 | Orlando, FL 1

Miami Dade College: A Brief Overview The challenges of a large, urban and diverse institution 67K degree seeking students – ~90% ethnic minorities – ~67% low income – ~70% students employed Historically, more than half placed into at least one level of developmental education Recent completion rates ranging from 13-39%, depending on initial placement ~ 66K employees, including 700 full-time faculty 7 campuses and 3 centers 2

Aggressive College-Wide Goals Improve Progression and Completion – Increased enrollment via targeted information and support in high school – Increased progression and persistence via orientations, advisement, guided academic pathways, co-curricular support – Increased completions and success via coaching/mentoring and communities of interest 3

4 MDC Shark Path: The Strategy for Increasing Progression and Completion

Pre- College Advising: Getting off to the Right Start Pro-active outreach and case management – Connecting HS career academies to MDC programs for college credit – Targeted reminders about residency and financial aid verification, unmet registration requirements – Shark Academy summer enrichment program – Scholarship opportunities Relevant on-campus events and workshops – Financial aid – Program of study choices – Career exploration 5

Pre- College Advising >60% of Miami Dade County Public High Schools have an assigned Pre-College Advisor – On-site advising at 46 high schools Applications and enrollment for FTIC-DE students up 19% and 10% in fall % enrollment rate at PCA high schools compared to 53% overall and conversion to enrollment 6

7 Pre-College and First Year Advising Support Each Other Performance Benchmarks Percentage increase since implementation Fall Registration Deadline 8/25/20148/26/201308/27/2012 FTIC-DE students # Applied18.6%17,50416,56114,759 # Enrolled9.9%9,3848,9918,531 # Credits Enrolled13.4%118,076111,978104,130 Average # Credits/Student 1.6%

First Year Advising: Becoming Connected and Engaged Prior to campus orientation, complete – Non-cognitive assessment – Career assessment and exploration tools – On line curriculum and get access to information/resource archive At mandatory Shark Start campus orientation – Meet assigned advisor – Discuss course selection and placement recommendations with advisors and academic departments – Register for first semester During mandatory first semester advising – Review results of assessments – Identify appropriate resources and supports – Confirm program of study and transfer institution choices 8

Students are Choosing Programs of Study Earlier 9 % FTIC- DE students with Program of Study by end of first semester

During mandatory first semester advising, students also complete individualized academic maps (MAPs) – Course scope/sequence guides created by disciplines representing ~80% enrollment now in place – New FYE course required for all AA students As a result, – >90% FTIC-DE students have MAP – Enrollment in “first” program of study courses up across the board – Enrollment in college-level math and English in first year up significantly—both initially and sequentially 10 First Year Advising

Structured interactions between first year advisors and academic disciplines – Course scope and sequence requirements and recommendations – Ongoing information flow/working relationships Coach/mentors complete intensive training – Developed and delivered collaboratively by faculty and advisement directors – Includes hand-on shadowing with Student Services advisors – Ongoing peer “buddy” relationship/support 11 Advising and Coaching & Mentoring Support Each Other

Coaching & Mentoring: Persisting and Progressing Students transition to discipline-specific coach/mentors after completing 25% college-level requirements – 12,500 transitioned to date Coach/mentors provide targeted academic and support resources – Progress monitoring and intervention in program of study – Internship and community engagement opportunities – Transfer advice – Career guidance 300+ coach/mentors across wide range of academic areas – 2/3 are volunteer faculty, representing ~30% total full time faculty 12

Communities of Interest: The Glue for Shark Path Clusters of students with common interests and goals Structured, intentional and meaningful experiences – Academic (peer tutoring) – Co-curricular (career workshops, civic engagement, internships) – Social (clubs and themed events) Embedded in and wrap-around student’s experience through Shark Path – Implemented initially in Allied Health – Rolling out to Business and Criminal Justice communities 13

Integration of Academic and Student Affairs throughout SharkPath is vital to the success of students. 14