We\u2019ve said from the beginning that this would be an iterative process. Plans will evolve and we\u2019ll need to make adjustments along the way. We will continue to draw upon the perspectives and experiences of faculty and staff as we determine how the pieces of this complicated puzzle fit together. If you have questions or input, I hope you will speak to a Futures Institute member or email futuresinstitute@austincc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the immediate term, we\u2019re focusing on three priorities: program mapping, student onboarding activities, and advising.<\/p>\n For the immediate term, we\u2019re focusing on three priorities: program mapping, student onboarding activities, and advising.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n As you know, we\u2019re organizing programs into 10 broad areas of study. We\u2019ve completed course mapping for about half of these, and the remainder will happen soon. The core mapping team includes representatives from Instruction, Student Services, Continuing Education, Adult Education, Developmental Education, Articulation & Transfer, Career Planning & Placement, High School Relations, and Library Services. You can learn about the process, view maps created so far, and see a schedule of remaining mapping sessions on the Guided Pathways Mapping<\/a> webpage.<\/p>\n We know the steps from application to registration can be confusing for many incoming students. The goal is to bring together key offices \u2015 Enrollment Management, Public Information and College Marketing, Admissions and Records, and other Student Services areas \u2015 to make enrollment simpler, streamlined, and more personalized for students. We\u2019re implementing Ellucian\u2019s Recruiter tool to facilitate the process, beginning with the pre-application phase. We also plan to introduce area of study information sessions for first-time-in-college students or those entering ACC with fewer than 12 credits. Students will be able to learn about programs and careers within their study area while engaging with faculty, advisors, and peers with similar interests.<\/p>\n Advising also plays an important role in the pathways model. Moving to a case management system for advising will help us provide the specific level of support a particular student needs while allowing us to make best use of our faculty and staff\u2019s expertise. Defining processes and building our advising structure will be challenging, and Student Services Vice President Dr. Virginia Fraire and I ask for your support and patience. In the end, our advising and counseling will be more effective and meaningful for all involved.<\/p>\n Our Achieving the Dream delegation included Kathy James, Dr. Rachel Ruiz, Antonia Ceballos, myself, and Mike Midgley.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A team of 15 ACC faculty, staff, and administrators attended the 2016 Achieving the Dream Conference in Atlanta. In addition to a host of excellent speakers and sessions on student success and equity, the conference featured the announcement of two grants, both of which ACC will pursue.<\/p>\n One of the grants is to promote the creation of degree programs that use Open Educational Resources (OER) instead of proprietary textbooks. You can learn more about ATD’s OER initiative and the grant opportunity at: achievingthedream.org\/news\/15109\/open-educational-resources-oer-degree-initiative-announced<\/a>.<\/p>\n The second grant supports training and development initiatives for adjunct faculty. Information about this grant also is available on the ATD website at: achievingthedream.org\/news\/15108\/new-initiative-puts-adjunct-faculty-at-the-center-of-ensuring-student-success.<\/a><\/p>\n If you are interested in joining our work on either of these grant opportunities, please contact Dr. Mary Harris, Vice President of Institutional Planning, Development, and Evaluation.<\/p>\n Charles<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Earlier this month our Futures Institute members facilitated a series of open forums about ACC\u2019s guided pathways implementation. I want to thank faculty and staff who shared their thoughts and concerns \u2015 you\u2019re a vital … Continue reading \n
Program mapping<\/h2>\n
Onboarding<\/h2>\n
Advising<\/h2>\n
![\"atdteam0316\"](\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2016\/03\/atdteam0316.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAchieving the Dream conference<\/h2>\n