Achieving the Dream is a fairly new program at the college with a
focus on helping students succeed. The initiative is particularly
concerned with student groups that face barriers to succeed such as
minorities from low income families.
EPCC was granted $400,000 over a four year period by the Lumina Foundation
for Education. EPCC is one of 58 institutions from nine states involved
in the initiative, including three four-year institutions.
When
asked what their main goal for the program was, all the interviewed
committee members of Achieving the Dream responded with great concern
for the students they deal with.
“We are all part of Achieving the Dream, we work together for
students to achieve their dreams,” says Jose Ramirez, program
manager of the Retention Action Program.
Participating colleges in the program have made specific commitments
to improve student achievement.
(L)
Albert Isassi, a student and tutor for the
Program for Academic Student Success program
at Valle Verde, is tutoring student Maria A. Escobedo.
Photo by Jamie Jimenez
They
have pledged to specific objectives such as these: to complete developmental
courses then move on to credit-bearing courses; to enroll in then
complete gatekeeper courses- such as introductory math and English,
to complete the courses they take; earning a grade of C or higher,
to re-enroll from one semester to the next and to earn certificates
and degrees.
In addition to the pledges listed, EPCC has also pledged to reduce
the number of students going into developmental education courses
and is working with local school districts to accomplish this goal.
As a part of EPCC’s effort to reduce the number of students
placed into remedial classes, the Student of Success Council, a sub-committee
of Achieving the Dream, has started preparing high school students
for college placement exams and working one-on-one with the school
districts here in El Paso.
A math summit was held on September 8, 2006, consisting of one teacher
from one high school in each district.
There they discussed how they can improve achievement in mathematics
and ensure that all students who graduate from El Paso high schools
will be prepared to enroll and succeed in college-level mathematics.
“It’s not only here at EPCC where we can make this happen.
High schools have to do their part also,” says Ruben Ochotorena,
the recently retired Director or the Developmental Education Initiative/
Title V project.
Irma Camacho, Director of Student Success, said that the El Paso Mathematics
Summit has brought people together from local school districts. “It
is a team effort,” states Camacho. “Sometimes we all have
to step back and look at the bigger picture. The young people here
are important to the future,” Camacho said this program will
be a great help to students. “EPCC has committed itself to a
student success agenda to help students graduate and become educated.”
Although the funding for Achieving the Dream will only last four years,
President Rhodes, has identified Achieving the Dream as the top priority
for EPCC as a continuing element of our mission and purpose.
