1. Preparing the Underprepared: College Readiness Through Support
Linda Kappauf & Makena Stewart

2. In This Workshop Student Support Transition Model Overview
Share Successful Institutional Initiatives
Highlight Pilot Learning Community Program
Student Outcomes
Strategies for Replication

3. Why Focus on Transition?
Less than 7% of adults with a GED Certificate participate in formal post- secondary activity nationwide.1
2009 Unemployment rates2
14.6% Less than a secondary credential
9.7% GED/HS graduates
8.6% Some College
6.8% Associate Degree
1Source: NCES (2008) January Issue Brief
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Chart 27: Household Data Annual Averages

4. SPCC Transition Background
Breaking Through Participation
A multiyear demonstration project designed to help low-skilled, low-income adults succeed in college
Partnership with Jobs For the Future
Technical assistance, resources, and support
Ready For College Initiative
Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE)
Two year grant targeted at reducing the number of drop-out and stop-outs ages 18-24

5. About the College: South Piedmont
Newest NC community college
Established in 1999
Multi-campus college
3 campuses
Serves both Union & Anson counties
Student Population ( )
Curriculum: 3,200
Con Ed: ,800
Basic Skills: 2,400
Number of students
Counties served
Number of Basic skills served on average
Newest community college 1999

6. A Changing Institution: Silo Reduction
Development of a Ready for College Team ( )
Collaborative interdepartmental committee
Basic Skills Director and Staff
Human Resource Development Director
Student Success Counselor
*New* Transition Team ( )
Expanded to Encourage College Wide Participation
Early College Liaison
Allied Health Faculty
Developmental Education Faculty
Continuing Education Staff

7. SPCC Career Transition Model
Career Pathways
Associate
Diploma
Certificate
Continuing Education
Priority Registration
FAFSA Assistance
GED Fast Track
Integrated Career Exploration Instruction
Job Readiness Skills
Pathways to College Course
Career Readiness Certification
College Readiness Workshops
Transition Counseling
Student Success
Human Resource Development
Basic Skills

8. Completed Support Initiatives
Mentoring Program
25 First Semester Basic Skills Graduates
5 Staff Members
Provided Resources and Assistance
Supplemental Basic Skills Career Resources
NC Choice Curriculum
Reinforces career preparation and exploration
Lending Library
Provided instructional resources to at-risk students
Partnered with minority male mentoring program

9. Ongoing Student Support Initiatives:
Ready for College workshops
College Overview and Admission requirements
FAFSA assistance
Career Assessment Inventory
Priority Registration
Returning student status to Basic Skills grads
Advised and Registered by BT counselor
Pathways to College Class
HRD program for under- and unemployed
Provides CPT , career, and academic prep
Two week course; offered each semester

10. Basic Skill Graduates: Transition Outcomes
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Number of Basic Skills Graduates
318
429
478
Curriculum Enrollment
105
(33%)
139
(32%)
220
(46%)
Continuing Education 69
(22%) 74
(17%)
108
(23%)
Human Resource Development 86
(27%) 97 87
(18%)
Source: SPCC Department of Institutional Effectiveness

11. Basic Skills Transition Outcomes: 18-24 Year Old Learners
“Ready for College” program targeted population
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Total Number of Graduates
166
252
258
Curriculum Enrollment 59
(35%) 82
(33%)
121
(47%)
Continuing Education 16
(10%) 23
(9%) 37
(14%)
Human Resource Development
(22%) 51
(20%) 40
(16%)
Create totals for HRD
Source: SPCC Department of Institutional Effectiveness

12. 2010 Summer Learning Community: The Design Model
8 week Intensive Bridge Program
Wrap Around Student Support
Counseling & Tutoring
Collaborative Learning
Peer Support System
Hybrid Learning Model
Blended course instruction
Credit Bearing Courses
6 curriculum credit hours
Integrated Career Exploration

13. Ladder to Approval: Step By Step
Rung 1: Transition Team
Served as advisory board
Revision and fine tuning
Rung 2: Student Learning
Compromise and collaboration
Rung 3: Senior Leadership
VP and Presidential support

14. Getting Started: Initial Steps
Recruitment
Mailings
Basic Skills Faculty Referrals
Classroom Presentations
Eligibility
CPT cut scores
Application
Selection
Transition Counselor Interview
Essay
Orientation
Student Contract
Registration

15. Learning Community: The Population
Community 1: “Best of the Best”
17 GED/AHS graduates
First Time College Students
Community 2: IMPACT
10 participants
Minority male mentoring program
statewide initiative
First-time students or identified as high risk

16. Community Profile: Barriers to Success
Characteristics
Program Population (%)
First Generational College Student
81%
Parent (child under 5 yrs)
41%
Unemployed
85%
English as a Second Language
11%
Lack of Transportation
33%
Low Income
96%

17. Committing to Success: Daily Schedule
8:00 - 9:00
Counseling (Group and Individual)
9: :30
Curriculum Course
10:30-11:30
Core Skill Activity
11:30-12:30
Break
12:30 - 2:00
Lab Time
2:00 - 3:00
Tutoring Services

18. Accelerated Learning: The Courses
2-3 Credit Hour Courses
Introduction to Computers
Cultural Studies
Web Enhanced Learning
Moodle LMS
Discussion Boards
Instructional Methods
Outdoor Learning
Group Work
Field Trips
Scheduling
Alternate Class Days
No Fridays

19. Leveling the Playing Field: Core Skills Training
Technology
Moodle
Student Portal
Career Pathways Exploration
Career Readiness Certificate
Career Development Workshops
Academic Success
Test Taking Skills
Library Orientation
Goal Setting
Speaker Series
Team Building
Diversity Appreciation
Leadership Training
Reading Day
Literary Novels
Personal Interest

20. Collaborative & Interactive Learning
Hands On Learning
86% self-identified as kinesthetic learners
Student Focused activities
Identified multiple intelligences
Emphasis placed on student strengths

21. Making The Connection: Relevance for the Adult Learner
Levine Museum of the New South
Cultural visit
Learning frame of reference
Rewarded program persistence
Final Mastery Project
Applied learning
Student selected topic
Demonstrated integrated skill set

22. Rewarding Milestones: Campus & Community Support
Celebration Ceremony
Certificate of Achievement
Recognition on school website
Local newspaper coverage

23. Student Self Rating: Readiness

24. Student Self Rating: Readiness

25. Basic Skills Graduates
Comparative Outcomes
Learning Community
Basic Skills Graduates
SPCC
Completion Rate
85%
59%
70.4%
Applied for Financial Aid
100%
77.6%
54.2%
Persistence After First Semester
78%
57.7%*
61%*
Mean G. P. A.
2.23
2.36
2.67
SPCC Institutional Research Data
*Spring 2010 to Fall 2010

26. Moving Forward: Next Steps
Breaking Through 2.0
Additional demonstration-to-scale up funding
Expanded Career Pathway Models
Allied Health
Manufacturing
Business Administration
Learning Community 2011
Enhanced career exploration curriculum
Career specific coursework
Developmental education component
4-Week
Computer Skills, Reading Comprehension, Math review

27. Getting Started At Your College: Tips and Strategies
Strength in Numbers
Develop a transition team or advisory board
Start at the Top
Find an ally in your college president or senior leadership
Collect Data
Establish baseline data, document trends, identify student needs
Take Your Grant Writer to Lunch
Well connected, great resource for locating funding sources
Don’t Re-Create the Wheel
Identify and join current statewide and national initiatives
Don’t Give Up
Students are counting on you!

28. Resources and Links Linda Kappauf Dr. Kimberly Rogers Makena Stewart
South Piedmont Community College
Director of Human Resource Development
Dr. Kimberly Rogers
Jobs For the Future
Project Director
Makena Stewart
Breaking Through Counselor