Contact:
Jonathan Lackland
217.557.7334
lackland@ibhe.org
Candace Mueller
217.557.7354
mueller@ibhe.org
Guiding Students Through College Resulting In More Graduations On Time And With Less Expense
Members of the Complete College America Illinois Team will discuss the Guided Pathways to Success Initiative with Illinois Board of Higher Education
Springfield - There is growing consensus on the importance of students receiving pro-active academic advising about their programs of study and course selections along with a structured support system to help them successfully complete college on time.
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) will hear a presentation on Complete College America's (CCA) Guided Pathways to Success Initiative (GPS) from a panel of CCA, community college, and university leaders who recently attended the CCA GPS Policy Institute in Orlando, FL. GPS is an initiative that proposes strategies for boosting college completion such as meta-majors, academic maps, and intrusive advising. Presentations will include an introduction to GPS by Dominique Raymond, CCA's Director of Alliance State Relations; as well as comments by Provost Richard Helldobler and Vice-Provost Vicki Roman-Lagunas from Northeastern Illinois University; Deans Medea Rambish and Kelli Sinclair from Waubonsee Community College; and President John Avendano and Professor Linsey Cuti from Kankakee Community College who will present best practices related to GPS.
"A highly-structured student advising system is vital in ensuring success for today's college student," Lindsay Anderson, IBHE Chairwoman said. "In a Guided Pathways to Success environment, students are less likely to make ill-advised course choices resulting in the accumulation of excess credits and an extended time to degree. Beyond its impact on the student, this initiative allows colleges and universities to better plan faculty needs and course availability making higher education institutions more academically effective and financially efficient and more productive."
The Board will also be briefed by Dr. Erika Hunt, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for the Study of Education Policy for Illinois State University and Debbie Meisner-Bertauski, Associate Director for Academic Affairs for IBHE on the principal preparation collaboration with the Illinois State Board of Education which has reviewed and redesigned principal preparation programs.
The IBHE will meet Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 1 p.m., at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, Charles M. Harper Center, 5807 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago.
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