2021-22 Unit Plan
TRiO

Mission Statement

The mission of the TRIO Student Support Services Programs (Classic and Disabled) is to retain students in good standing so that they might achieve their educational goals, be that achievement of a certificate, associate's degree and/or transfer to a four-year college or university.

Program Description

The U.S. Department of Education makes five year grants to colleges and universities to provide students opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students to successful completion of their academic goals.  In short, the goal of SSS is to increase college retention and the graduation rates of its participants. 

This will be accomplished by providing the following: referrals to tutoring services, academic monitoring and coaching, financial literacy, FAFSA assistance, college visits, collaboration with Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS), advising on high-demand careers, and cultural events to name a few.

At the time of application a through needs assessment is conducted with each student in order to establish individual need for services and delineate required program services.

Student Learning/Administrative Unit Outcomes

The TRIO grant was awarded beginning September 1, 2020. The grant objectives will serve as the SLO's for TRIO.

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (Instruction Departments)

n/a

Standards/Goals for Student Achievement (All Other Departments)

TRIO assists with 1) reducing equity gaps; 2) increase of course completion; 3) increase transfer; and, 4) increase opportunities for employment.

Strategic Direction

TRIO will support the following Strategic Direction Priorities:

1. Work with students regarding AB705.

2. Close equity gaps.

3. Recruitment and Outreach at High Schools to increase enrollment at Butte College.

4. Assist in meeting student achievement goals.

5. Through programming, create a culture of inclusiveness.

6. Review data for continuous improvement. Implement changes where there are gaps.

7. Seek professional development for staff.

Program Review

Butte College was awarded two TRIO programs, which began September 1, 2020. The current program grants are five (5) years in duration. TRIO will not take part in the Program Review process.

Department Goals

The primary goals for the TRIO Programs for the 2021-2022 year and beyond are detailed in the Plan of Operation section of the grant proposals. Beyond recruiting, hiring and training staff, TRIO SSS activities and services in Year 1 are to include:

Inform BC Faculty and Staff of goals and objectives of the project
Inform students of program existence and services
Identify, select and retain required number of eligible participants (140-SSS Classic, 100 SSS-Disabled)
Assess each participant's need for services
Monitor academic progress, provide individual advising/coaching sessions
Craft Academic Improvement Plans with students as needed
Referral to academic tutoring and supplemental instruction
Create Annual Financial Plans with students, including financial literacy, FAFSA and scholarship assistance, budgeting and debt management workshops
Individual career counseling, exploration and exposure to in-demand career sectors
Referrals to personal, transfer or academic counseling
Assistance with transfer explration and application
College and department visits

Future Development Strategies

Strategy 1 - Recruit, Hire and Train Staff

Recruit, hire and train:

One Grant Manager

Two Retention Specialists

One Administrative Secretary III, Grants

Four-Five Student Assistants, Ambassadors and Tutors

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

Qualified and trained professional and student staff is needed to design and implement high quality services as detailed in the SSS grant proposals.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: No
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: Yes
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: Yes
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: Yes
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 2 - Student Participant Marketing and Outreach

Conduct online (in person as possible) outreach activities on campus, in area schools and in the community to develop an adequate pool of eligible students with academic need to satisfy the participation numbers the grants are funded to serve.

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

In order to recruit and select participants for the programs, multi-modal strategies and activities are required. Selection of students is conducted utilizing the following components: (a) Participant Eligibility (application); (b) Needs Assessment Survey; (c) Motivation Assessment and (d) Student Contract.

Strategy 3 - Implement Designed Services

TRIO SSS provides a menu of services to students to achieve goals and objectives prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education. Approved objective rates listed below were determined after an extensive needs analysis was conducted and based on improving the historical performance rates of similar populations. Targets for the two populations, SSS-Classic and SSS-Disabled are as follows:

(1) Retention in Postsecondary Education (2-year institution):

39% (48% SSS-D) of all participants served in the reporting year by the SSS project will persist from one academic year to the beginning of the next academic year or earn an associate’s degree or certificate at the grantee institution and/or transfer from a 2-year to a 4-year institution by the fall term of the next academic year.

(2) Good Academic Standing Rate (2-year institution):

87% (87% SSS-D) of all enrolled SSS participants served will meet the performance level required to stay in good academic standing at the grantee institution.

(3) Completion of an Associate’s Degree or Certificate and Transfer:

(i) 25% (21% SSS-D) of new participants served each year will graduate from the grantee institution with an associate’s degree or certificate within four (4) years; AND

(ii) 15% (10% SSS-D) of new participants served each year will receive associate’s degree or certificate from the grantee institution and transfer within four (4) years.

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

In order to achieve the above objectives, the list of required and optional services to be inititiated by the programs in Year 1 shall include but are not limited to:

Inform BC Faculty and Staff of goals and objectives of the project
Inform students of program existence and services
Identify, select and retain required number of eligible participants (140-SSS Classic, 100 SSS-Disabled)
Assess each participant's need for services
Monitor academic progress, provide individual advising/coaching sessions
Craft Academic Improvement Plans with students as needed
Referral to academic tutoring and supplemental instruction
Create Annual Financial Plans with students, including financial literacy, FAFSA and scholarship assistance, budgeting and debt management workshops
Individual career counseling, exploration and exposure to in-demand career sectors
Referrals to personal, transfer or academic counseling
Assistance with transfer explration and application
College and department visits

Strategy 4 - Plan for Coordination with Other Programs for Disadvantaged Students

The SSS-D project’s organizational placement allows for plentiful opportunities to coordinate with other programs for disadvantaged students such as the DSPS, Inspiring Scholars (Foster Youth), EOPS and the Roadrunner Hub—Basic Needs Resource Center to name a few. SSS will leverage the campus’ established relationships with area pre-college programs and college level programs such as SSS, EOP, Upward Bound, Talent Search and Migrant Education to receive participant referrals and to conduct combined workshops, cultural events and shared staff trainings.

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

In order to establish and maintain a pipeline of new participants as well as retain and transfer current BC participants, it is incumbent upon the programs to collaborate with other programs at all levels and leverage resources available to our students whenever possible.

Strategy 5 - Data Collection

Collect baseline data to examine project success at meeting objectives. Data to be collected on a formative and summative basis will be utilized to measure success in achieving project objectives. Types of data to include:

Enrollment data
SSS Student participation data
Coaching session meeting notes
Transcript evaluation
Graduation information
Transfer status
Participant focus groups and satisfaction surveys
Alumni surveys
Budget expenditures and projections

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

In order to analyze project activities and discover where changes are required or recommended, ongoing data collection and analysis is necessary.

Supporting Rationale Alignment
Supports the College's Strategic Direction and Priorities: Yes
Supports Program Review Recommendations: Yes
Supports Course level SLOs: No
Supports PLOs: No
Supports ILO - Think Critically: Yes
Supports ILO - Communicate Competently: Yes
Supports ILO - Engage Collaboratively: Yes
Supports ILO - Work Effectively: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Credentials: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Transfer: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Time to Degree: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Employment in field of Study: Yes
Supports Meeting Vision for Success Goal - Reducing Equity Gaps: Yes

Strategy 6 - Evaluation of Data Collected

Implement designed evaluation strategies included as part of the grant proposal. Assure that the programs method for evaluation are appropriate and include both quantitative and qualitative evaluation measures.

Initiatives

Enhancing a Culture of Completion and Goal Achievement
Supporting Student, Faculty and Staff Success
Using Data-Informed Processes for Continuous Improvement
Maximizing Resources to Support Student Learning
Enhancing a Culture of Equity and Inclusiveness

Supporting Rationale

The establishment of a comprehensive and ongoing evaluation plan is vital to develop and implement strong SSS programs, achieve their goals and objectives, and continually improve upon SSS services and outcomes. The projects will establish and use a data-driven decision making process based on a "Plan-Do-Study-Act" (PDSA) cycle, a model aimed at continuous quality improvement.

Requested Non-Financial Resources

Office space is essential and required. Potential locations include the previous RoadRunner Hub/ICC Student Lounge on the first floor of the Campus Center and the Career Center Classroom on the second floor of SAS. Surplus furniture is also needed.

Current Financial Resources

The two TRIO SSS programs are funded by the U.S. Department of education. Current annual funding for the programs is $523,776 ($261,888 each). Butte College receives indirect costs in the amount of 8% of total direct costs, currently calculated at $38,798 ($19,399 per program).

Augmentation Requests

Original Priority	Program, Unit, Area	Resource Type	Account Number	Object Code	One Time Augment	Ongoing Augment
Description	Supporting Rationale		Potential Alternative Funding Sources		Prioritization Criteria
1	TRIO	Operating Expenses			$0.00	$5,000.00
$5,000 Institutional Commitment ($2,500 per program)	Ongoing expenses to support service delivery model and expenses not included in approved TRIO SSS budgets.				Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities Meeting Vision for Success Goals Implementing AB 705 Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Improving Processes: a. Data and Reporting; b. Internal Communications
2	TRIO	Operating Expenses			$0.00	$38,000.00
Work-Study Allotment	Work-study allotment to hire 4 student ambassadors/tutors at 50% for 9 months (~$9,500/yr per ambassador/tutor).				Health/Life/Safety Strategic enrollment growth Diversity, equity and inclusion Implementing the 2019-2020 Strategic Direction Priorities Meeting Vision for Success Goals Implementing AB 705 Implementing Guided Pathways: a. Strategic Scheduling; b. Hobsons Starfish Closing Equity Gaps Meeting enrollment targets Meeting student achievement goals (Vision for Success Goals) Fostering a Culture of Inclusiveness