9/24/2007 - Achieving the Dream Officially Kicks Off
On Thursday, September 13 and Friday, September 14, Ouachita Technical College held a series of meetings that marked the Kick Off for the College’s multi-year Achieving the Dream Initiative. On campus to meet with faculty and staff were Dr. John Brockman, Achieving the Dream Coach, and Dr. Mike Flores, Achieving the Dream Data Facilitator.
OTC administrators, board members, staff and faculty were invited to a luncheon Friday afternoon to kickoff the Achieving the Dream (AtD) Initiative. After a brief welcome by OTC President, Dr. Barry Ballard, Dr. Brockman spoke to attendees about the objectives of the initiative and what activities, projects, policies, and plans are being implemented to help community college students succeed across the country.
The data-driven initiative asks colleges to focus on a studentcentered vision, build a culture of evidence and promote the twin goals of equity and excellence. AtD colleges have made specific commitments to improve student achievement on their campuses. They have pledged to maintain open access while working to increase the percentage of first-time credential–seeking students who:
- Complete developmental courses and move on to credit-bearing courses;
- Enroll in and complete gatekeeper courses, such as introductory math and English;
- Complete the courses they take, earning a grade of C or higher;
- Re-enroll from one semester to the next; and
- Earn certificates and degrees.
Ouachita Technical College’s goal is to effectively gather and analyze data that will enable the college to successfully implement programs and policies that will serve to enhance student outcomes and success. The college’s preliminary agenda includes:
- Fostering a culture that values the success of each student;
- Implementing a systematic model for institutional change;
- Analyzing data to create a more successful developmental education program;
- Working closely with area high schools to improve students’ academic preparation and college readiness; and
- Using data to develop programs that attract and retain students of color, particularly male students of color.
Data will lead the charge to create a more effective learning community for all students. Ouachita Technical College strongly believes that a student does not have “the right to fail,” but rather “the right to succeed.”