1I3 Academic Program Design Improvements

Southeast Tech recognized through its key stakeholder student groups (2R1) that first time, underprepared and ESL students provided key opportunities to improve student retention. While direct work with these key groups are listed in 2R1, Southeast Tech has implemented several improvements to assist them in terms of Institutional academic program design:

First Time Students 

• Revamped new student orientation process to Academic Advisement and Registration Days, which directly connects new first time students to program faculty for academic advisement; 
• Implemented JumpStart to better prepare students for their initial academic semester.

Underprepared and ESL Students

• Developed an AQIP Action Project centered on assisting underprepared and ESL students earlier in the admissions and enrollment processes;
• Developed ESL coursework aimed at building ESL skills prior to entering program coursework;
• Added Accuplacer Reading scores as another part of the admissions and placement processes.

Transfer Students

• Developed a transfer equivalency calculator so that potential transfer students can determine credit transfer prior to enrollment.

Southeast Tech’s future actions include:

• Developing processes to help the Institute meet the needs of the 30% of South Dakota high school graduates who do not seek higher education.  Besides being First Time students, a majority of these students are either underprepared or face financial barriers.  By reaching out to these student groups prior to graduation, the Institute believes it can help these students reach their academic potential.
• Developing more certificate options and pathways for students that also meet industry needs as determined through the Institute’s sector breakfasts; 
• Completing the Institute’s current AQIP Action Project regarding ESL student assistance.