Learn how the California Community College System leverages Amazon SageMaker to understand course-taking patterns of graduates and use that data to inform discussions around current students’ shortest pathways to completion.

1. July 10-11, 2019
The Conference Center,

2. Shortest Path to Completion
Dr. Omid Pourzanjani
Current Vice Chancellor for Digital Futures Lab,
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
Incoming Superintendent/President of San Joaquin Delta College

3. California Community College System
• 115 colleges
• Open access (open entry and open exit)
• 2.1M active students
• Largest higher-education system
• High need students
• Lowest funded education system in California

4. Challenge
• Not enough resources to provide one-on-one
high-touch services, guidance, and support
• Too many options
• Too much wondering
• Using too much of their financial aid
• Accumulating too many units

5. Solution
• Associate degrees for transfer
• 60 units
• Guarantees transfer as a junior

10. Problems with approach?
• Pathways designed without outcomes data
• Forward-thinking without a loopback
• Gaps and bridges are dealt with manually

11. Could AI/ML Help?
• Find the shortest path to completion
• Look for course-taking patterns
• Offer options to students

14. Could it be used for meta-major design?

15. Business Administration

16. Economics

17. Could it be used for graphical pathways?

18. Clear Pathways

19. Next Steps
• Socialize the idea and patterns with colleges
• Refine pathways
• Offer students shortest-path options
• Expand coverage
• Partner with high schools and universities

20. Shortest Path to Completion
Dr. Omid Pourzanjani
Current Vice Chancellor for Digital Futures Lab,
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
Incoming Superintendent/President of San Joaquin Delta College