Delaware County Community College Recognized as a 2011 Leader College

MEDIA– (DCCC) was recently recognized as a leader in the national student completion movement by Achieving the Dream, a national non-profit that helps 3.5 million community college students stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree, reports the school in a recent press release.

DCCC is one of 23 institutions designated as a 2011 Leader College and was recognized for demonstrating sustained improvement and accomplishments on key student achievement indicators. The announcement was made by Achieving the Dream President & CEO William Trueheart. 

According to the school, DCCC achieved Leader College status by raising persistence and graduation rates, closing achievement gaps and changing lives. Achieving the Dream institutions that have met high standards of practice and performance are recognized as "Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges.”

More specifically, Achieving the Dream highlights DCCC for increasing fall-to-spring retention from 68 percent in 2007 to 73 percent in 2011. A combination of interventions is responsible, states Achieving the Dream: English conferencing, supplemental instruction, an Academy for College Excellence, reading/counselor pairings and new student orientation and mentoring.

According to Achieving the Dream, Leader Colleges have demonstrated commitment to and made progress on the four principles of committed leadership, use of evidence to improve programs and services, broad engagement and systemic institutional improvement.

In addition, Leader Colleges have also shown three years of sustained student success on at least one of the following measures of performance: course completion, advancement from remedial to credit-bearing courses, completion of  college-level math and English courses, term-to-term and year-to-year retention, and completion of certificates or degrees.

"We are excited to be recognized as a Leader College,” stated Dr. Virginia Carter, Provost of DCCC in the press release. “Since we began our relationship with the Achieving the Dream organization, student success became a college priority that involved everyone. Initiatives and processes to help each student move towards his/her educational goal are integrated into the fabric of the college - from fiscal planning to hiring and program development. The recognition is a tribute to the dedication of our faculty, staff and communities."

According to the school, DCCC was selected to participate in Achieving the Dream in 2006 by a national panel made up of community college experts.

“The work of improving student success is very difficult, critically important, and urgent,” said Achieving the Dream President & CEO William Trueheart in the statement. “Delaware County Community College has carefully analyzed student outcomes and has implemented sustained positive student-centered changes. They deserve enormous recognition for their focus on equity and excellence and for their extraordinary contributions to their communities and our nation.”

A complete list of Achieving the Dream participants and Leader Colleges can be found at www.achievingthedream.org.