The story about the path chosen by Austin Community College as they launched Degree Map,™ from opt-in strategies for implementation to innovative group counseling and full roll-out. This breakout session was hosted at the Civitas Learning 2015 Winter Summit, by Senior Partner Success Director Dr. Matthew Milliron with Dr. Virginia Fraire, Austin Community College.

1. HELPING STUDENTS TAKE OWNERSHIP
OF THEIR LEARNING JOURNEYS
The Austin Community College Degree Map™ Story

2. CONNECT DISPARATE SYSTEMS, DATA & INITIATIVES TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO
WHAT’S WORKING & WHAT’S NOT & FOR WHOM
HOW MIGHT WE…

3. “All of us who are trying to improve –
from gold medalists to you and me—
are involved in an ongoing
experiment with one subject.
So there are lots of things that
seem to work to improve
performance for most people;
there is almost nothing that
works for everyone.
Approach your professional
performance like a scientist,
and you’ll be on the path to
discovering what works for you.”

5. 25% students enroll to improve a skill
75% enroll to transfer or earn associate degree

6. Average time to degree
Texas: 4.4 years v. ACC: 5.7 years
Average credit hours attempted by CC students
Texas: 91 v. ACC: 101
Graduation rates
3-year 4%
4-year 10%
6-year 31%
OPPORTUNITY FOR INNOVATION

7. • Technology to Improve Advising Process
o For more than three decades Advisors used a paper advising form
o 2010 Created an online Education Plan
o 2012 Partnered with Civitas to create Degree Map
o 2013 Received IPAS Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to
accelerate implementation of Degree Map
Hypothesis: Technology to improve the advising process and support new
advising approaches could improve student retention and completion rates
REIMAGINING STUDENT ADVISING

8. 200+ hours interviews and observations
In Student Advising, most observed interactions
consisted of:
• Course Selection/Combinations
• Degree Selection
• Transferring (into/out of ACC)
• Probation/Performance Improvement Plans

10. INITIAL DEGREE MAP™ GOALS
• Provide advisors and students with a clean,
clear snapshot of their current degree plan
• Offer a quick comparison of different degrees
• Provide students with degree options that
maximize their current credits
• Allow students to quickly see the implications
of switching to another degree program
• Elevate the advising conversation

13. “Students have had an absolutely
amazing reaction to Degree Map.
Students say it’s much easier to
read than previous degree plans,
easier to use, and much easier to
plan for their future.”
Margie Samilpa
Associate Professor/Counselor
Austin Community College

14. “Students ask more informed questions when they can visually see what options
they have, as opposed to being told verbally. It feels as though their questions are
more perceptive and probing than they were without Degree Map”
“When advising, the quality has improved because we can choose
classes more quickly and students like the printed form”
“I don't have to do as much thumbing around in the Catalog or searching on the
student's STAC screen while I am talking with students. The information we need
is right in front of us so we can spend time talking about what is important.”
“Much deeper, much more relevant,
pertinent, and timely for students.”
“Better questions and a clearer picture of options and academic
consequences of selecting different classes for different Majors”
HOW HAVE STUDENT CONVERSATIONS CHANGED?

15. • Focus is on program advising
• Students no longer sit “passively” in sessions
• Documentation rates from advisors and counselors have increased
• Primary source of documentation is Degree Map
• Students receive an electronic record of their advising session(s)
ELEVATING THE ADVISOR CONVERSATION

16. End Users
• Advisors & Counselors
• Degree Map Experts
• Department Chairs
• Faculty
• Students
• Student Services and
Instructional Deans
External Partners
• Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation
• Civitas Learning
• EDUCAUSE
• Capital IDEA
• Peer Colleges
Internal
Stakeholders
• Admissions and Records
(Registrar & TSI Coordinator)
• Early College Start
• Grant Development &
Compliance
• Help Desk
• Information Technology
• Instructional Design Services
• IPAS Grant Coordinator
• Publication Information &
Marketing
• President and Board
• Restricted Accounts
• Student Services and
Instructional Deans
STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS

17. EARLY RESULTS AUGUST 2013 – JANUARY 2015
90%
ADOPTION
BY ADVISORS
140k
ADVISING SESSIONS
HELD USING DEGREE MAP
240
ADVISORS
GENERATING PLANS
38k
STUDENTS
WITH COURSES PLANNED
70+
DEGREES CONFERRED
BY DEGREE MATCH
1.6k
STUDENT CREATED
ADVISING PLANS

18. “An interactive advising tool that helps students take ownership
of their degree and class options and better communicate
with their Advisor, Counselor or Faculty.”
“Degree Map is a useful tool to help students understand what they have done
and what they still need to do to fulfill their education plans. It allows students to
compare majors, and visually shows them what they still need to do.”
“Degree map is a fantastic tool to have if students are seeking a degree from
ACC. All the degree plans and course descriptions are available at your finger tips.
Another great tool is comparing degree plans and their cost.”
“A great system to enable students to be "masters" of their planning process thus
more focused on successful completion. To be able to use time spent with Advisor
and Counselor for deeper level questions than "What classes should I take?”
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE DEGREE MAP?

19. THANK YOU
civitaslearning.com Ι civitaslearningspace.com