Community College Excellence and Workforce Development Rhode Island State Senate March 11, 2015 Joshua S. Wyner Vice President, The Aspen Institute
Aspen College Excellence Program The Aspen College Excellence Program works to advance higher education practices, policies, and leadership that significantly improve student outcomes in four areas: Completion. Do students earn degrees and other meaningful credentials • while in college? Equity. Do colleges work to ensure equitable outcomes for minority and low- • income students, and others often underserved? Labor market. Do graduates get well-paying jobs? • Learning. Do colleges and their faculty set expectations for what students • should learn, measure whether they are doing so, and use that information to improve?
The Aspen Prize Outcomes of Prize Finalist Colleges Exceptional improvements over time in completion Increase in the number of credentials awarded at Valencia College, 2002-2011 AA, AS/AAS Degrees and Certificates/Diplomas Awarded 7,000 84% increase AA Degrees over 6 years 6,000 Certificates and Diplomas 46% increase 5,000 AS and AAS Degrees over 6 years 4,000 3,000 66% increase 2,000 over 6 years 1,000 0 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14
The Aspen Prize Outcomes of Prize Finalist Colleges Exceptional short-term labor market outcomes for graduates Average salaries of recent graduates compared to the average for all new-hires in the region (top three performers) $56,576 $41,548 $31,086 82% $28,756 above Regional avg . average $23,211 79% $20,540 above Regional avg . average Regional 40% average above avg . Lake Area Technical Institute (SD) Walla Walla Community College (WA) Brazosport College (TX)
The Aspen Prize Outcomes of Prize Finalist Colleges Exceptional long-term labor market outcomes Average salaries of graduates 5 years after graduation compared to the average for all workers in the region (top three performers) $77,272 $63,016 $57,044 $46,832 Regional 65% $45,664 average above $36,803 avg . Regional 38% average 55% Regional above above average avg . avg . Miami-Dade College (FL) Brazosport College (TX) Walla Walla Community College (WA)
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Themes characterizing the institutions that achieve exceptional outcomes for students: 1 Strong leadership and vision 2 Guided pathways to credentials 3 Intentional focus on improving teaching and learning 4 Consistent, systematic & strategic data use 5 Partnerships/new structures aligned to student outcomes
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Theme 1 Strong Leadership and Vision
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Findings: Five Qualities of Exceptional Leaders 1 Deep commitment to student access & success 2 Willingness to take risks 3 Excellent internal change management ability 4 Strong, broad vision for the college, reflected in external partnerships 5 Skill in fundraising and resource allocation tied to student success goals
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Theme 2 Clear pathways to credentials and other intentional structures to support students
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Design pathways that start with the end in mind: workforce/four-year transfer
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Build new pathways to success , including narrowly defined course sequences, fully integrated learning communities, and block program structures.
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Embed high-impact support services aligned to pathways (e.g., career counseling, early alerts, intrusive advising).
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Lake Area Structured, cohort-based, block- Technical Institute schedule programs ensure students stay on track. Result: 76 percent graduation rate is among the nation’s highest.
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Kennedy-King New pathways built for all students College (including those in developmental education) and reflected in new college catalogue. Result: Doubling of graduation rates over five years.
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Miami Dade Faculty and advisors were engaged to create new simple degree pathways. College Result: New default curricula for degree pathways that, together, serve 80 percent of all new students.
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Theme 5 Partnerships: New structures aligned to student outcomes
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Exceptional colleges build new structures aligned to student workforce outcomes Assess labor market needs through data analysis and conversations with employers
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Exceptional colleges build new structures aligned to student workforce outcomes Co-design program curricula to ensure skills alignment
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Exceptional colleges build new structures aligned to student workforce outcomes Ensure opportunities for joint skills development through apprenticeship and other forms of job-embedded learning
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Exceptional colleges build new structures aligned to student workforce outcomes Establish systems for regular employer feedback on program alignment and quality
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Exceptional colleges build new structures aligned to student workforce outcomes Secure employer investments in equipment, scholarships, etc.
Lessons from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Exceptional colleges build new structures aligned to student workforce outcomes Examine post-graduation earnings and employment outcomes to assess program alignment and quality
More information: Relevant publications: Using Comparative Information to Improve Student Success • What Excellent Community Colleges Do (Harvard Ed Press, 2014) • Using Labor Market Data to Improve Student Success • Crisis & Opportunity: Aligning the Community College Presidency with • Student Success (executive summary and full report) Hiring Exceptional Community College Presidents: Tools for Hiring • Leaders Who Advance Student Access and Success Visit us online www.aspeninstitute.org/college-excellence •
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