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Northeast advising model named finalist for national award

Northeast advising model named finalist for national award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Northeast Community College has earned national recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

Northeast is one of six finalists for AACC’s 2018 Awards of Excellence in the Student Success category. The College has been recognized nationally for its five-year advising model that is transforming institutional culture. Student Success is one of six categories in the Awards of Excellence program.

“The ‘Strengthening Student Advising Initiative’ was developed with the objective that if students receive more intentional and intrusive advising, then there should be a striking increase in student retention, persistence and completion,” said Dr. Michael Chipps, president. “This strategic initiative has been based, in part, on a comprehensive data analysis reflecting that students who enroll in our career and technical (CTE) programs were retained at 75-percent compared to 54-percent for liberal arts/transfer programs.”

Northeast’s retention figure of 75-percent is above the national average of 61-percent as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics.

In 2014, a cross-divisional team of Northeast administrators, faculty and staff developed a five-year advising action plan that includes three levels of advising support, including faculty mentoring, first year advising and retention support.

The initiative, jointly led by the Educational and Student Services divisions, has implemented a new vision and philosophy for advising; a college-wide advisor training program; a new advisor training program; a mandatory advising pilot system; utilization of a retention prediction score for early intervention; piloted cohort groups in high attrition programs; and the creation and execution of a First-Year Experience course.

Dr. Terry Nelson, of West Point, immediate past chairperson of the Northeast Board of Governors, said the board is confident that the new advising system will bolster student retention, persistence and completion rates.

“Most importantly, we realize that advising is about academic and career success, rather than just ‘course registration.’ Therefore, the Northeast culture is rapidly changing regarding the manner in which our faculty and staff advise our students.”

Chipps said the major shifts with advising clearly illustrate the commitment of Northeast faculty, staff, and administration to increasing student success. 

 “Taking great care of all of our students is the primary goal at Northeast Community College. In fact, the first two goals of the College’s five-year strategic plan, Vision 2020, focus on student success and student access. The advising system is positively affecting student outcomes and will provide each student with the best opportunity possible to be successful in meeting their educational goals.”

Chipps said this is Northeast’s innovation at its best.

“I highly commend our entire college community for being passionate about student success and specifically to Student Support Services who are commended for this esteemed recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges.”

AACC will announce the winner of each of it Awards of Excellence categories at its annual national convention in April in Dallas.

The American Association of Community Colleges is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents nearly 1,200, two-year, associate degree–granting institutions and more than 12 million students. AACC promotes community colleges through five strategic action areas: recognition and advocacy for community colleges; student access, learning, and success; community college leadership development; economic and workforce development; and global and intercultural education.

 

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