By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Barton Community College has spent three years gathering and analyzing data to help identify how students define educational success and if the college is meeting those student needs. The Higher Learning Commission Student Success Academy is designed to allow colleges to support students’ achievement and meet their higher education goals.
Barton’s Director of Student Academic
Development Stephanie Joiner reviewed responses from many students, faculty and
staff.
"We really believe, across all campuses, our faculty, staff and administration care about students," said Joiner. "That was very clear. Our students felt caring concern from staff and administration. That was a wonderful piece to pull out of this process."
The college took inventory on development of soft skills, withdraws, repeated
classes, enrollment process, waitlists, locating scholarships, lack of peer
interaction and technology.
"If there is a student population, not below benchmark by any stretch but maybe not performing at the same rate of another, then we have that ability to recommend to different programs on campus to look into areas further."
Joiner added students don’t always know what support they need, until they need
it. The college will continue to identify those needs when they arise to supply
responses to the students.