HVCC among seven colleges added to SUNY Pathways Initiative
TROY, N.Y. » As part of SUNY Achieve, State University of New York Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson announced Hudson Valley Community College is among the seven additional community colleges enrolling more than 48,000 students who are participating in SUNY’s Guided Pathways initiative.
Now being implemented at a total of 17 SUNY campuses, this program improves student success outcomes by building capacity and implementing supportive pathways to help students persist in college and graduate ready for New York State’s growing career opportunities.
“This innovative program at community colleges provides students with an individualized education beginning in their high school years, which focuses on developing the skills needed for the in- demand jobs of their choice,” Johnson said.
“We will continue to pursue and support these proven programs that put students on track to completing their college degrees on time and prepares them with the skills needed to begin their careers,” Johnson added.
Campuses participating in the second Guided Pathways Institutes are: Hudson Valley Community College, Dutchess Community College, Erie Community College, Finger Lakes Community College, Jefferson Community College, Schenectady County Community College, and SUNY Ulster.
SUNY’s Guided Pathways is an integrated approach to student success. It focuses on providing structured educational experiences from high school through the attainment of credentials at SUNY campuses.
The $1.8 million multi-year project is supported by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, the New York State legislature, and private funding. It is closely based on findings of the Community College Research Center, and the work of the national Pathways Project led by the American Association of Community Colleges.
Participating colleges help students identify their path and stay on course using the following:
· Exploratory or “meta-majors” to help students choose a program of study, identify critical courses, and define milestones for each semester;
· Education and employment goals for every pathway;
· A curriculum map with a default semester-by- semester sequence of courses;
· Learning outcomes aligned with the requirements for further education and employment;
· Intentional advising to assist students in selecting a program that is right for them;
· Timely feedback to students when they meet benchmarks or get “off track.”
As the lead campus, Monroe Community College has partnered with SUNY system administration, to host implementation and professional development institutes for faculty and staff. The first cohort of Guided Pathways campuses began its work in 2018 and was: Corning Community College, Jamestown Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Onondaga Community College, SUNY Orange, Rockland Community College, Suffolk Community College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and Westchester Community College.
SUNY’s Guided Pathways is a part of SUNY Achieve, a program that coordinates SUNY’s systemwide student success initiatives.