21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.

Cupertino, CA 95014

408-864-8660

colemandavid@deanza.edu

students with below average placement in math and English assessment tests.

transfer rates.

skills through an exploration of the Latino experience & assistance with transferring to 4-year

closely with the Transfer Center.

Center objectives are to have an enhanced academic and retention support Program

serving a wide spectrum of the campus community by ensuring that participants receive

counseling and academic support services as well as information, resources, and

assistance that enables academic success.

Participation criteria is primarily based upon the following:

14

Algebra or lower.

the Center as well as be referred by faculty, staff or administrators.

dated 8/27/03 (available on the De Anza Research web-site:

The Student Success & Retention Services Center places an emphasis on building a

student community based on student-to-student relationships organized around a

collective academic endeavor, retention, and attainment of educational goals. The Center

helps students develop the abilities and self-confidence necessary to navigate personal and

academic obstacles, improve their understanding of course material, and to overcome the

hidden barriers that often inhibit academic success.

Program participants receive the following:

courses and credit load.

environment and encourage the retention and success necessary to enable achievement

of the student’s educational objectives.

Program Counselor or Advisor to complete or update their Educational Plans. In addition,

students are required to participate in at least one academic enrichment activity

(workshop) per quarter as well as meet with a Peer Advisor or Tutor at least twice a

quarter.

Those students with less than 36.5 units who have successfully completed their

participation requirements on a quarterly basis also receive early registration assistance.

15

Furthermore, those Program participants who are in academic difficulty (GPA below 2.0)

are required to meet with a Program Tutor a minimum of once per week.

In addition, the Center is partnering with the Registrar’s Office in the implementation of

an Early Alert grant that will enable instructional faculty to work in tandem with the

SS&RSC counselors and respond quickly to academic or other concerns that students may

exhibit in the classroom. This is a pilot program that will begin during the Winter 05

quarter and will initially focus on SS&RSC Program participants.

The Center’s comprehensive peer advising and tutorial component enables students to receive

free on-site tutoring and to “check in” with Program staff. This serves as an ideal way for

participants to inform staff of any difficulties that they may be experiencing and to receive

immediate assistance when necessary. In preparation, peer advisors take a 3-unit class before

they become active advisors. Each peer advisor is assigned a caseload of approximately 200

students who are routinely contacted via email, phone and mailings regarding their education

plan updates and opportunities for tutoring and other supportive workshops.

• Program Director (50%)

• Puente Coordinator (50%)

• Math Performance Success Coordinator (50%)

• 2.5 Counselors (100%)

• Program Academic Advisor (100%), and

• 8 Peer Advisors (also serving as Tutors)

provide a “home base” that serves as the location for various workshops, tutoring, study

groups, and contacts with representatives of transfer institutions. The Student Success &

Retention Services Center serves as an ideal communications hub for students, faculty,

and staff, creating a network of information and people that is readily accessible and

always supportive – in effect, a one-stop student support services center.

The Program currently provides a Student Computer Center with eleven networked

computers and two printers, a photocopier for student use, student study areas,

information bulletin boards, a conference room for study groups, academic enrichment

workshops, and individual tutoring, as well as ready access to counselors and an advisor.

The Center enables students to provide practical assistance to each other as well as to

participate in an academically focused culture of motivation, persistence, and

achievement.

salaries. In addition, the Program receives operational funding as follows:

$4,914.58District funding, $13,021.53 Partnership for Excellence funding, $42,505.00De

Anza College Associated Student Body Funding (for student Peer Advisors & Tutors).

The total is $47,722.03.

16

The Student Success & Retention Services Center is marketed via the De Anza College

website as well as through dissemination of Program marketing materials (brochures &

high school student interest forms) through the College’s Outreach Office. Faculty

members also provide referrals for students that need support and assistance.

Recruitment occurs in the summer for high school students who will enroll in the 1-unit

The SSRSC served 15,900 duplicated head count participants from 10/8/03 – 2/2/05

(derived from SARS Reporting). Students express their appreciation for the Center’s

support services in many ways, mostly by the active use of program resources and through

referrals of their friends and/or siblings. However, staff also hears statements indicating

that the Center has been instrumental in assisting students to navigate their ways past the

obstacles of gang life, substance abuse, and being the first in their families to go to

college. It is especially gratifying to hear students say how important it is for them to feel

connected to the De Anza College academic and social community.

Program reports are currently being updated, but indications have shown that Program

participants have achieved their educational goals of transfer and matriculation at roughly

twice the rates of the general De Anza College student population.

collaboratively (including the Transfer Center) to provide seamless

services to students, reduce duplicate services, and achieve economies of

scale through shared resources.

which need to be streamlined and non-duplicative to meet their needs.

ownership of program services and resources (e.g. high level of access to

peer advisors and staff who can provide quick and efficient service to meet

their needs).