Community colleges are focused on combining accessibility with student success through a guided pathways model. The pathways model provides students with clear course sequences and requirements aligned to their end goals of earning credentials, transferring, or entering the workforce. It simplifies educational choices and ensures students receive support to stay on their path, such as strong advising and learning supports. The model also helps students choose and enter a pathway through high school bridge programs and on-ramps for underprepared students.

1. February/March 2016
Paige Vanderhyden
Associate Provost, Design Center
Wayne County Community College District
GUIDED
PATHWAYS MODEL

2. • Community colleges:
– Are considered “open-door”
or open-access for
admission;
– Serve their community; and
– Provide opportunities for
life-long learning.
Community College Mission

3. Geographically Convenient

4. • Community colleges are focused on
combining accessibility with student success
through a guided pathways model.
What is the “Pathways
Model?”

5. • On-Ramp:
– Entry to community college
is guided;
• Educational or industry
credentials attained with
high expectations and high
support; and
• Exit-Ramp:
– Employment, career-
advancement, transfer.
What is the “Pathways
Model?”

6. • Clarify paths to
student end
goals.
– Simplify choices
and end
“cafeteria-style”
education.
– Align pathways to
transfer.
Guided Pathways
Essential Practices

7. • Help students choose and enter a pathway.
– Bridge high school students with college.
– Create “on-ramps” to a program of study.
– Help very poorly prepared students succeed in
college-level courses as soon as possible.
Guided Pathways
Essential Practices

8. • Help students
stay on path.
– Strong advising.
– Academic and
non-academic
supports.
Guided Pathways
Essential Practices

9. • Ensure students
are learning.
– Learning
outcomes.
– Group projects,
internships, and
other applied
learning
experiences.
– Ensure effective
teaching practice.
Guided Pathways
Essential Practices

10. Contact Information
Paige Vanderhyden
Associate Provost, Design Center
Wayne County Community College District
801 W. Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226
pvander1@wcccd.edu
www.wcccd.edu

11. • American Association of Community Colleges
(AACC). (2015). Retrieved from:
http://www.aacc.nche.edu/Resources/aaccprogr
ams/pathways/Pages/default.aspx
• Bailey, T. R., Jaggars, S. S., & Jenkins, D.
(2015). Redesigning America’s community
colleges: A clearer path to student success.
Harvard University Press: Cambridge, MA.
• Cohen, A. M., Brawer, F. B., & Kisker, C. B.
(2014). The American community college: Sixth
edition. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, CA.
References