FINDLAY – Owens Community College has put a plan in place to increase student completion of programs.
At Wednesday’s board of trustees meeting on the Findlay campus, Betsy Johnson outlined the campus
completion plan as required by the Ohio Board of Regents.
Johnson is vice president of enrollment management and student services.
The board had until June 30 to approve a plan.
The goal is to increase the number of degrees and certificates awarded to students.
According to Johnson, there are six areas of the plan – Connection to the Institution, Successful
First-Year Entry, Student Progress, Student Completion, Other Aspects of Completion Success, and
Workforce.
The college already has several projects in place to boost student retention, "because we know that
the student’s first year is the pivotal point in their academic success and subsequent completion,"
she stated.
The recommended completion plan aligns with the various academic department success plans and the
strategic enrollment management plan, Johnson added. The plan has 15 improvements identified that fall
under the six categories.
"The plan supports retention by focusing on the students’ first year experience, which includes
advising, early interventions and improving policies to encourage completion and graduation,"
Johnson concluded.
The focus of each of the six areas are:
Connection to the institution: Review student populations to identify typologies of students and their
impact on the student experience; and build relationships and programming with area schools, including
developing a clear academic pathway for those enrolled in dual enrollment.
Successful First-Year Entry: Review and analyze courses first-year students take and review how students
perform; redesign the program review and evaluation process.
Student Progress: early intervention based on grades and require all grades to be posted on Blackboard
within seven days; and expand use of Early Alert. Early Alert provides early feedback and support to
students regarding their course progress.
Student Completion: Assist students with developing an academic plan that shows progress toward program
completion; publish a year-long schedule to provide a pathway to completion; and identify programs that
are requested but lack career connections and internships.
Other Aspect of Completion Success: review current policy, update those in existence and develop new
policies to support student completion, such as in attendance, pre-requisites, orientation, financial
aid policies and billing.
Workforce: align courses to the current labor market; identify common skills needed and verify content
offered in courses; and review current program advisory board membership.
The timeline for the plan varies from this fall with some completed by fall 2017.