1. Maximize Student Completers and Retention through Program Innovation
By Mike Hashek and Paul Ehlers
Leadership Development Instructors
Gateway Technical College

2. In the Beginning…
5 or 6 years ago Gateway Supervisory Mgt. was #53 ranked program
Today it is #3 ranked program.
What caused this?

3. Setting the end goal Why? Listen…
Advisory Board
Students
Set a course for change with new goal…

4. Delivery Options Meet students where they are… Accelerated Courses
Online and Face To Face
Evening and Weekends

5. Accelerated?
= 15 weeks
1 evening all semester equals 9 credits
Meets needs of working students
Includes online

6. Career Pathways Each 9 credit semester is packaged as a Certificate
Each Certificate leads to a potential job.
Imbedded National Certifications increase employability

7. Program Progression
First two certificates lead to two Pathway Certificates
More logical step out points = More Completers OR
Encourages persistence in the program

8. Remove Barriers to Success
Students dislike exams, add demonstrations.
Flexibility of offerings meets student needs.
Students want reinforcement
Chunk learning into steps
Provide real world skills
Active learning style
Brain Based Teaching Style

9. Class structure Class is structured in 20-30 minute blocks
One focal topic is explored
At beginning of class Instructor talks > Students
Middle and end Students talk > Instructor
Presentation and demonstrations in each class

10. Implement changes Survey Students…. Remove exams
Accelerated courses (5 weeks each)
Teach online and in classroom
Create Pathway Certificates for each semester.
Give job specific skills to students that work today.
Each Certificate leads to a potential job.
Imbedded National Certifications.

11. Measure success What measures our success? Program Efficiency rating.
Survey students.
Communicate with Advisory Board

12. future It is becoming all about the soft skills
Soft skills as competencies?
Micro credentials and/or one credit chunks

13. Keys to success Be willing to change. LISTEN to your end users
Set a realistic goal that meets your end users goal.
Innovation is not scary