Understanding Guided Pathways in Higher Education

Guided Pathways 101 What EVERYONE at South needs to know about Guided Pathways Fall 2016, Guiding Team

WHY? The Case for Guided Pathways NEW approaches needed to create COMPLETIONS WHY South is ready for this ALL Students want to transform their lives Historical approach = Create ACCESS 90% at South intend to earn degree Only 22% actually complete Led to 100+ degree/certificate options at South Enrollment grew over time, however completions did not follow Clearly designed, coherent and well- communicated PROGRAMS Ample support for CAREER EXPLORATION and program selection Program Map of needed courses, a clear PATH FORWARD South is made up of PASSIONATE professionals who care about our students Our technology and structure fit who we USED to be, and now we must embrace where we are heading We are ready because of YOU, your expertise, effectiveness, your passion!

GUIDED PATHWAYSARE THE INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMBYWHICHWE WILLCREATE EQUITY.

Alex visits our website and sees clear choices of programs of study Alex can easily engage with us through an consistent and equitable intake/onboarding process that includes Orientation, Financial Aid and/or planning for funding If Alex is firm in his/her plan, then there is a program-specific orientation process. If not, there are clear interventions and supports proactively offered to Alex to explore career options and the programs of study that lead to those careers including transfer degrees (career discernment) Upon declaring a major, Alex is given a clear Program Map Alex creates an Educational Plan with an Advisor that is tailored to that map and Alex s own needs Alex experiences a structured first-year experience, no matter what program Alex is in Alex is proactively checked up on throughout enrollment and met with proactive interventions if s/he exhibits any behaviors or expresses concerns about persisting Alex is provided with support for job search and transfer preparation Alex is provided support to completely finish program or degree A Student s Experience in a GP Environment EVERY student is Alex

WHAT? Four Elements of Guided Pathways

CLARIFY THE PATH Mapping programs with the ends in mind Designing & Implementing Pathways at Aligning course content and student learning outcomes Identifying milestone courses Defining default course sequences Scale Build curriculum coherence Identify the right math Select recommended core curriculum/ gen ed courses Select recommended elective courses Review pathway curriculum for coherence

HELP STUDENTS CHOOSE AND ENTER A PATH Designing & Implementing Pathways at Strengthen & clarify student-facing information about jobs/careers/ transfer options. Augment career exploration in earliest college experiences. Scale Redesign advising to align with critical student choices and milestones. Embed intrusive advising in pathways.

HELP STUDENTS STAY ON THE PATH Designing & Implementing Pathways at Ensure continuous, intrusive advising within pathways, noting milestone achievement, ensuring timely academic alert & support, and required advising when students go off path. Integrate discipline-appropriate academic supports into every pathway and in fact into every syllabus. Scale

ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ARE LEARNING Designing & Implementing Pathways at Intentionally design applied/experiential learning experiences throughout each pathway. Promote discipline-appropriate strategies for active & collaborative learning (e.g., service learning, group projects). Scale Align discipline-appropriate co-curricular learning. Strengthen assessment & documentation of student learning outcomes

HOW? Essential Elements of Guided Pathways From Building Guided Pathways: Practical Lessons from Completion By Design Colleges 6/27/2025

How does Guided Pathways redesign affect us? Blank slide for content personalized or tailored to the audience