PHILADELPHIA--
In a significant recognition of their transformative efforts in higher education, Chattanooga State Community College and Southwestern Oregon Community College have been awarded the prestigious Leah Meyer Austin Award by Achieving the Dream (ATD). The announcement, made at ATD's annual DREAM conference in Philadelphia, highlights these institutions' exceptional work in improving student outcomes and closing equity gaps.
Both colleges have demonstrated remarkable progress through innovative approaches to student success. Chattanooga State, which joined the ATD Network in 2016, has implemented several ground-breaking reforms under its Vision 2027 strategic plan. Among the most impactful changes was the shift from traditional 15-week terms to seven-week terms, along with the introduction of a more personalized advising system. The college also launched an affordable learning resources program, ensuring course materials cost no more than $50.
The results of these initiatives have been striking. Chattanooga State saw its fall-to-fall persistence rate increase by 7.1 percentage points from 2019 to 2022. Even more impressive was the jump in credit completion rates, which rose from 54.6% to 66.4% between fall 2020 and fall 2023. The college's focus on gateway courses has yielded particular success, with math completion rates increasing by 11 percentage points and English completion rates surging by 17.2 percentage points.
Southwestern Oregon Community College, an ATD member since 2012, has distinguished itself through its targeted support of adult learners and first-generation students. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by adult learners who often juggle work and family responsibilities, the college developed specialized advising services and age-appropriate student orientations. They also enhanced their online services to accommodate students who require more flexible learning options.
These efforts have paid off significantly. The college saw an 8.7 percentage point improvement in four-year completion rates among part-time learners, while adult learners experienced a remarkable 12.3 percentage point increase in completion rates. Perhaps most notably, the equity gap between first-generation and non-first-generation students in fall-to-fall persistence narrowed by 3 percentage points.
Dr. Karen A. Stout, ATD President and CEO, emphasized the significance of these achievements:
