The MAC: One Provider’s Story of Implementing a Transitions Center
Cynthia Gaede – I-BEST and Transitions Director
Cammie Ochoa – Program Specialist, Master Achiever Center
ACTIVITY
Transition Center Ideas & Practices:
1. Fill out the half-sheet, addressing these questions:
2. In a group of 4 to 5, discuss which three resources or additions you would implement and prepare to share with the larger group.
Green Sheet Blue Sheet
Question: What three resources would you include as part of a transitions center in order to best meet the needs or your students?
Question: What three resources would you never eliminate from your transitions center?
TRANSITIONS BEST PRACTICES
Clear definition of “transitions” Funding
“Transitions” atmosphere; attitude of institution
Low-cost for students
Non-academic resources and
support available to
students
Understanding of student and
community needs
Innovative Services
Set institutional goals
Institutional priority
INITIAL PLANNING
Question: What can we do to increase student transition rates?
Solutions: Support functions that align with instructional
efforts related to transitions Lessons From TRiO
Physical Space Intrusive Advising Access to Tutoring Connection with Support Services
THE MASTER ACHIEVER CENTER:MAC GOALS
MAC students will:
demonstrate higher retention rates
increase total number of momentum points earned
specifically increase number of momentum points by completing pre-college English or Math
self-assess at a higher level of independence regarding knowledge of college processes
INFRASTRUCTURE
• Dedicated space in Basic Skills buildingLocation
• 1 Full-time Advisor/Specialist• AmeriCorps PositionStaffing
• Student Services and Instruction• Steering Committee
Campus Connections
• TABdb• Google Docs
Data Tracking
• College Spark WashingtonFunding
Goal Setting
Career Exploration
Advising
Financial Planning
Barrier Mitigation
Workshops
Peer Mentoring
MAC FUNCTIONS
GOAL SETTING AND CAREER EXPLORATION
ICA Curriculum:
SMART GOALS
Self–exploration
Occupational Exploration
Career and Educational Planning
FINANCIAL PLANNING
FAFSA Application Support
Scholarship Search Guidance
Identify Program Specific Funding
Worker Retraining Opportunity Grant WorkFirst BFET
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
COMPASS Preparation Workshop
Tutoring and Resources Orientation The Math Learning Center Tutoring & Resource Center The Speaking Center The Writing Center
Registration Workshop
Beginning of Quarter Classroom Presentations
PEER MENTORING One-on-One Meetings FAFSA Application Support
RESOURCES Computers Books Student Achievement
Portfolio Start-up Kits
STUDENTS SERVED:
MAC VISITS
2011 2012
SEPTEMBER 12 JANUARY 42
OCTOBER 23 FEBRUARY 97
NOVEMBER 52 MARCH 42
DECEMBER 36 APRIL 125
TOTAL 123 MAY 183
JUNE 69
JULY 107
AUGUST 68
SEPTEMBER 58
OCTOBER 147
TOTAL 938
BASIC SKILLS PROGRAM
ABE 36
BRIDGE 40
ESOL 64
GED 77
I-BEST 72
OTHER 14
TOTAL 303
1ST YEAR RESULTS:
CategoryMeasurement
MethodActual Results
Retention RatesIncrease year to year retention from 48% to
65%
76% of MAC students were retained from
summer/fall through spring quarter
Momentum PointsIncrease from 3.4
points per student to 3.7 points per student
MAC students earned an average of 4.5 points per student
Developmental Education
Completion
Developmental Education taken within 2 years will increase
from 11% to 20%
In the first year, 9% of MAC students have
already earned momentum points
MAC EXPANSION
• I-BEST ABE/GED ESOL Student Expansion
• Part-time MAC Advisor/Specialist• FT AmeriCorps Member• Part-time Office Assistant
Program Expansion
• Already need bigger space!Location Expansion
IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
What worked:
Dedicated space for our students
Full-time, intensive advising supports
Keeping strong connections with existing
Student Services
Challenges:
Workshops and activities that meet the scheduling
needs of our students
Scaffolding – Building independence
Populations have different needs/advising pathways
The MAC model took best practices from TRiO and adapted them for our basic skills population
Questions?
Contact Information:Cynthia Gaede253.833.9111 ext. [email protected]
Cammie Ochoa253.833.9111 ext. [email protected]