CAC’s Early Alert program signals increase in student retention and success

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – Since the 2008-09 academic year, Central Arizona College has witnessed a 19 percent increase in full-time student equivalencies (FTSE) that has yielded the largest total in school history.

CAC’s FTSE report through 2011-12 stands at 5246.28, up 839.44 since 2008-09 and 120.13 (2.35 percent) over 2010-11.

Dr. Philip Tompkins, the interim associate vice president of Student Affairs, discussed the correlation between the increased FTSE and the Early Alert program instituted at CAC.

“There is no doubt a link exists between our programs designed to keep students enrolled and those students having success,” Tompkins said. “Early Alert is a program that has had tremendous impact on student retention in a short period of time.”

Its success is yielding an Early Alert II follow up program entitled S.O.S – Support Our Students.

“Research on retention shows that many students choose to leave or opt out of their classes within the first six weeks,” Tompkins said. “The latest data indicates that the first 10 days is the most critical time period for a new student.”

Creating strategies to help students with the transition into college during those key opening days are paramount. These strategies include multiple contacts with students, a Welcome Week with engaging events for students at all three of the campuses, and the Orientation to College program that helps remove the anxiety of starting college by alerting freshmen to an array of resources before school actually begins.

The initial contact is just the proverbial tip of the iceberg in an environment that can melt the confidence of first-year students faster than monsoon humidity.

Follow-up advising, Orientation to College, mentoring and CPD classes all help create a supportive atmosphere for students.

“The S.O.S program is a partnership developed between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs,” Tompkins explained. “The partnership allows for online notification when a student is struggling, setting off a chain of support service events designed to keep the student in school.”

The S.O.S. program helps students with issues such as test anxiety, undeclared career path, poor attendance, time management and sudden drop in grades. CAC has a spectrum of offices that support students throughout the district.

The interconnection of The Learning Center, Advising Office, Student Retention Office, Financial Aid Office, and the TRiO, Title V, STEM and WIA grant programs allows CAC to rapidly respond to a variety of student needs and concerns.

“Coordinating multiple resources within CAC to maximize our efficiency has created an atmosphere of support for students,” Tompkins said. “It is reflected in the enrollments as students stay in school to accomplish their goals.”

To comment on this article and others  visit the Copper Area News Facebook or send us an email at CBNSun@MinerSunBasin.com 

admin (8132 Posts)


Facebooktwitterby feather
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby feather

Comments are closed.

  • Additional Stories

    Zuniga leads Lady Miners to number five ranking

    January 8th, 2014
    by

    By Andrew Luberda San Manuel Miner The Miners girls’ basketball team is ranked fifth according to the most recent rankings […]


    Three Miner wrestlers place at Mt. View Duals

    January 8th, 2014
    by

    By Andrew Luberda San Manuel Miner Franky Renteria (106, 2nd), Carlos Salas (120, 6th), and Michael Sanchez (HWT, 6th) all […]


    SMHS Athletes make All-Southern AZ Teams

    January 8th, 2014
    by

    By John Hernandez San Manuel Miner Athletes from San Manuel High School have been selected by the Arizona Daily Star […]


    Cougar grappler has impressive record

    January 8th, 2014
    by

    Mountain Vista School’s wrestling team has an outstanding member (although they all are pretty great). Gilbert Rodriguez from Mrs. Villanueva’s […]


  • Additional Stories

    Moore graduates from University of Arizona

    January 8th, 2014
    by

    Skyler Moore graduated from Ray High School in Kearny, in 2010. Now, Skyler has graduated from the University of Arizona […]


    Five Bearcats named to All-State Team

    January 8th, 2014
    by

    By Andrew Luberda Copper Basin News Five Ray Bearcats’ football players were named to the Arizona Republic’s All-State team, led […]


    How Arizona computes basic school funding levels

    December 30th, 2013
    by

    Compared to other states, the Arizona mechanism for funding public education is a regular Rube Goldberg contraption. Approved by the […]


    November funding override rejects leave Pinal County school districts in grim mood; Only Casa Grande succeeds as other districts eye program and job cuts

    December 30th, 2013
    by

      By James J. Hodl Copper Area News November 5 was a bad day for school override referendum in Pinal […]


  • Copperarea

  • Southeast Valley Ledger