What is Guided Pathways?

Guided Pathways is a national movement redesigning the way community colleges provide educational opportunities to their students.  The Pathways model is an integrated, college-wide effort based on research that shows students are more likely to complete a degree closer to a two-year timeframe if they choose a program and develop an academic plan early on and have intentional structured support throughout their educational journey. This should have been the case all along, but we know that sometimes our well-intentioned processes, systems, traditions, and habits interfere with our goals.  CAC staff, faculty, and even students have been strategically examining, redesigning, and transforming the college’s programs and services to remove barriers and help students identify and reach their goals.

Guided Pathways completed activities which align with the Title V DHSI grant objectives and components:

Area of Interest/Pathways

Developed 9 Areas of Interest
Developed Map Templates
Developed transfer pathways with clear course sequence that lead to specific degree
Designed Area of Interest Website: Areas of Interest
Degree Audit redesigned to align with new Areas of Interest/Pathways
Streamlined curriculum and program options

Developmental Education Redesign (Reforming Math Curriculum)

Shortened math STEM & non-STEM sequence by developing one math course prior to college level math
Developed math courses: MAT087 Foundation I (none-STEM) and MAT097 Foundation II (STEM)
Expanded Math Bootcamp offerings to help students refresh skills or place in a higher-level math course
Developed a Self-Guided Placement Model utilizing multiple measures
Supported English Writing Academy to help students place higher in English

Academic Advising Redesign

Redesigned Academic Student Support Request (Early Alert)
Implemented Calendly to remove scheduling barriers for students
Implemented MyMajors to help guide and introduce students to CAC’s Areas of Interest & Pathway/Program Options
Implemented Pipeline AZ to connect students with employers
Created and implemented Academic Success Coach Model
Certified Academic Advisors in Strong Interest Inventory
Created a Career & Transfer Center on campus
Developed a strong virtual presence and resources for students:

Advising
Career Center
Transfer Center
Student Resources
Find Your Starting Point

Developed a series of no-cost workshops to support student success:

Career and Transfer Resources
Creative Resume Building
Transfer Financial Aid 101
Strong Career Exploration
Collaboration with the Learning Center & Library for additional student workshops

Professional development, training, and engagement opportunities for faculty and staff to support Guided Pathways.

AACC Pathways coaching and conferences for best practices and guidance for Guided Pathways.
Developed 9 Guided Pathways Functional Teams
Achieving the Dream 2020 Cohort
College Foundations Taskforce
Math Developmental Education Redesign

Ongoing evaluation process and data collection to improve all activities.