Written by Dr. Angela Browning, Director of Outcomes Assessment and Strategic Planning

At the beginning of 2016-17, FSCJ joined Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national reform network of more than 200 community and state colleges focused on improving student success, with an emphasis on the use of data to inform decision making. We intend to leverage the resources that ATD provides to help FSCJ organize our efforts to close achievement gaps and improve our students’ success and economic opportunities. 

Early in the process, we noted a need to have a clear understanding of student success given the breadth of our institutional mission and the students we serve. As a first step in the process, departments and units began discussions of student success definitions and we surveyed students, faculty, staff and administrators for their individual definitions of student success. The top three themes identified in students’ definitions of student success were “achieving goals / fulfillment,” “completion / degree / graduation,” and “job preparation / purpose.”

These efforts culminated in a December Town Hall meeting to share the results and discuss 1) qualities and practices of successful students; 2) qualities and practices of an institution that promotes student success; and 3) key indicators of student success. The mood of the group was energetic and positive, with many participants expressing an appreciation for having the opportunity to engage with and hear from their colleagues. 

As we begin the new year, we will continue these ongoing discussions about our students and how we can recognize and support their personal growth and academic success. Stay tuned for further updates. Please contact Dr. Angela Browning, Director of Outcomes Assessment and Strategic Planning, to find out more or share your ideas. 

To view more pictures from the Town Hall, visit the FSCJ Flickr album.