South Central College Named a Leader College
South Central College (SCC) today announced in a News Release that it has been designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national initiative dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and mobility in their communities.
“A large number of individuals at South Central College have worked tirelessly on developing innovative initiatives aimed at narrowing the equity gap and improving success for all students,” said SCC President Annette Parker. “It is tremendously rewarding to make a difference in the lives of students, and to be recognized as a leader by Achieving the Dream provides additional validation that we are on the right track.”
KDHL has arranged to have Dr. Parker join us by phone during the 8:05 a.m. Report Newscast Friday, February 18, 2022 to explain more about this initiative.
The News Release has more information.
Leader Colleges play an important role in accelerating the adoption of effective practices within the ATD Network and across higher education. Leader Colleges are recognized for the quality of their work in whole-college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students.
Leader Colleges develop innovative ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies.
Since 2017, SCC has been a part of the ATD Network, made up of 300+ colleges committed to helping students achieve their goals, advancing equity, and supporting student success at their institutions and throughout their communities.
In 2018, SCC established its “Just 1 More Action Plan,” with cross-functional innovation teams addressing specific strategies to make a difference one student at a time. Student success strategies that have been fully implemented include mental health counseling with a social worker at each of SCC’s two campuses along with establishing food pantries and clothing closets on both campuses.
SCC has also implemented course planning and advising software, a data informed proactive advising model, and financial literacy resources for students.
Additional strategies that will soon be implemented include executing a a cohesive
communication plan for promoting wrap-around student services, guided learning pathways, and career and transfer services.
“As an Achieving the Dream institution, South Central College has been able to take advantage of expert advise and learn from other institutions as we develop and implement our own student success strategies,” said Parker. “Now as a Leader College, we look forward to sharing what has worked for us to benefit students at other colleges across the country.”
Achieving the Dream (ATD) leads a growing network of more than 300 community colleges committed to helping their students, particularly low-income students and students of color, achieve their goals for academic success, personal growth, and economic opportunity. ATD is making progress in closing equity gaps and accelerating student success through a unique change process that builds each college’s institutional capacities in seven essential areas. ATD, along with nearly 75 experienced coaches and advisors, works closely with Network colleges in 45 states and the District of Columbia to reach more than 4 million community college students.
South Central College (SCC) is a comprehensive community and technical college that is part of the Minnesota State system with campuses in Faribault and North Mankato. The college offers programs that prepare students to immediately start or advanced in a rewarding career after graduation, transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree – or do both. SCC also provides customized workforce education for professionals and organizations. SCC is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator.