Proposal
for
College 101: Changes, Challenges,
Choices
Description:
This new course is grounded in research and best
practices in student success. The course is designed to
increase success among first-time college students and give
them effective strategies to help them succeed in college.
It is a one-credit-hour course, taught initially in eight-week
segments. For the pilot project, which begins in Spring
2007, some sections of this course will begin in January
and others in March.
The course is truly a college-wide effort and can
potentially be taught by any PVCC faculty and staff who
meet all of the following:
1) has a
Master’s Degree and
2) has completed the required
three-day training session for teaching the course.
For teaching the course, each instructor
will be compensated the equivalent of one credit hour, which
will be offered as an extended or adjunct contract.
Textbook:
On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and
in Life, Fourth Edition.
Employee/Departments Involved:
All academic divisions, Advisement, New Student Information
Center, Admissions & Records, Assessment Center, Learning
Support Services, & Financial Aid.
Student Cohort:
1) All first-time college students enrolling in 12 or more
credit hours (full-time) OR
2) All first-time college students enrolling in 6 or more
credits AND placing into one or
more developmental courses.
# of Students for Pilot:
An estimated 600-800 students projected for the pilot project
Justification:
Research indicates that students are more likely to persist
and be successful in college when they establish (1) relationships
with other students, (2) relationships with faculty, and
(3) connections with the college itself. This course will
facilitate all of these relationships. In addition, the
course will assist students in developing an awareness of
their goals, their behaviors, and their strengths as learners
and will then provide effective strategies for attaining
their goals, strengthening behaviors that lead to successful
outcomes, and maximizing their learning potential.
Implications:
Students in the pilot project will be required to enroll
in this one-credit-hour course.
This course will need to be integrated into the
course schedule, which involves assigning instructors and
rooms.
Instructors who teach this course must have training
to do so.
If our pilot data are similar to the data of other
colleges who require a student success course, retention,
course completion, and GPA’s will increase.
Resources Required: To be
determined.
Additional Information:
COL101
Course Description, Learning Outcomes, & Course Outline
