College Connection: Transitioning from High School to College Northeast Lakeview College Northwest Vista College Palo Alto College San Antonio College St. Philip s College
What is College Connection? If more Texans do not receive college degrees by 2030, there will be a deficit of up to $40 billion in annual household income. Closing the Gaps Initiative: To increase the number of students enrolled in higher education programs in Texas by 2015 Goals: Provide access to higher education Increase the number of high school graduates entering college Provide admission and pre-enrollment services Admit High school seniors to college and prepare them to register BEFORE they graduate
History of College Connection Began with San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) in Fall 2006 (9 schools) Funded for 3 years with Texas Pioneer Foundation Grant (TPF) Only 10 institutions were awarded the TPF Grant Part of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Closing the Gaps Initiative
Program Model Required: Orientation ApplyTexas Assessment Advising Financial Aid Optional: Campus Tours Registration Re-Connection Day Every senior offered the opportunity to participate in the required events. High Schools and Colleges have the option to offer additional activities.
Program Activities Orientation Overview of Alamo Colleges and College Connection Initiative Application (ApplyTexas) Assist students with Admissions Application Assessment Provide Placement Testing at High School Campuses Advising Provide information on Programs of Study, Placement Results, and Course Scheduling Campus Tours Coordinate Campus Tours as requested Financial Aid Coordinate District-Wide Financial Aid Saturdays Registration Provide Group/Individual Registration and assist with the completion of the enrollment process Re-Connection Day Provides an opportunity for students who missed previous activities to meet deadlines Graduation Provide graduates with Acceptance Letter from Chancellor. (Leads participate in Commencement)
Program Growth 2006-2011 60 50 40 30 20 Year Schools 2006-2007 9 2007-2008 36 2008-2009 46 2009-2010 50 2010-2011 52 10 0 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
ISD San Antonio Edgewood Harlandale Judson North East Northside East Central Marion Shertz-Cibolo-Universal City Seguin Somerset South San Antonio Southside Southwest Alamo Heights Ft. Sam Houston Lackland Navarro Floresville Poteet Year College Connection Activity Began 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 1 ISD 6 ISD s 14 ISD s 18 ISD s 20 ISD s
Participating High School Graduates 20000 18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 Year Graduates 2006 2,207 2007 12,325 2008 16,307 2009 17,690 2010 No Data 6000 4000 2000 0 2006 2007 2008 2009
Alamo Colleges Enrolled Headcount 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 Year Headcount 2006 668 2007 3,237 2008 4,098 2009 4,178 2010 No Data 1000 500 0 2006 2007 2008 2009
Challenges Confusion and mixed messages from other similar programs Limited Staffing ISD Expectations/Cooperation Adapting to program growth
Achievements for 2010-2011 Unified message from all Alamo Colleges Shared materials between the Alamo Colleges Improved collaboration between Alamo Colleges teams Enhanced District-Wide Financial Aid Saturdays Developed an Advising Phase for each college to cater to its own unique student population
Highlights Total student contacts increased Greatly increased college awareness among high school seniors Impact on all students not just high achieving or at-risk students Increased services for financially disadvantaged students Strengthened relationships with ISDs Participating students are tracked and case managed
Benefits ISD On-site college enrollment services/training Free placement test Alamo Colleges presence Enhance college awareness Establish point of contact with Alamo Colleges Alamo Colleges Promote Alamo Colleges programs Strengthen relationships with ISD staff, faculty, and administration Increase enrollment to the Alamo Colleges
Questions?
Contact Information Northeast Lakeview College Palo Alto College Recruitment Center Recruitment Center 486-5401 (Option 5) 486-3300 Northwest Vista College St. Philip s College Recruitment Center Recruitment Center 486-4300 486-2150 San Antonio College Recruitment Center 486-0228 www.alamo.edu/college-connection/