College of Southern Nevada Awarded Achieving the Dream Leader College Status

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EMBARGOED until 12:01 AM EST 09/22/15

College of Southern Nevada Awarded Achieving the Dream Leader College Status

CSN recognized for commitment to data-informed decision-making and closing equity gaps

Las Vegas, Nev. (September 22, 2015) – Achieving the Dream today announced the College of Southern Nevada earned Leader College distinction—a national designation awarded to community colleges that commit to improving student success and closing achievement gaps. CSN has shown how data can inform policy and practice to help community college students achieve their goals, resulting in improved skills, better employability, and economic growth for families, communities, and the nation as a whole.

“The Achieving the Dream Leader College status is a prestigious national designation for community colleges,” said CSN President Michael D. Richards. “I am so proud of the hard work our faculty and staff have put in over the last three years on this effort, the results of which show promising increases in student completion. I look forward to expanding our ATD pilot projects to encourage healthy academic habits among our students and nudge them closer to commencement.”

CSN has focused much of its Achieving the Dream efforts on increasing semester-to-semester persistence to increase degree and certificate completion. The college redesigned its intake process and academic guidance procedures. A pilot cohort of recent high school graduates were required to participate in orientation, take English and math placement tests, and meet with an advisor. These students were then required to meet with an academic counselor within their major prior to their second term enrollment. The college plans to implement these changes for all new-to-CSN, degree-seeking students in fall 2016.

“Becoming a Leader College is very powerful and affirms the exceptional work and commitment of faculty and staff to their students’ success,” said Achieving the Dream Vice President for Community College Relations Cindy Lenhart. “The College of Southern Nevada is using evidence to make informed decisions that lead to significant institutional change.”

The 2015 Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges are:

The 2015 Leader Colleges are making strides in the national movement to increase student completion and close achievement gaps, demonstrating the power of the Achieving the Dream Approach. With the guidance of Achieving the Dream Coaches, colleges not only systemically change the way they operate, but also implement key student supports that align with their overall policies and institutional systems, such as college readiness programs, mandatory new student orientation, student-success courses, developmental course redesign, curriculum redesign, and intensive, individualized advising.

Achieving the Dream grants Leader College designation for three-year cycles. After three years, institutions must undergo a recertification process to maintain Leader College status.

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About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

Achieving the Dream, Inc. is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. Evidence-based, student-centered, and built on the values of equity and excellence, Achieving the Dream is closing achievement gaps and accelerating student success nationwide by: 1) guiding evidence-based institutional improvement, 2) leading policy change, 3) generating knowledge, and 4) engaging the public. Conceived as an initiative in 2004 by Lumina Foundation and seven founding partner organizations, today, Achieving the Dream is leading the most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. With over 200 institutions, more than 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams – working throughout 35 states and the District of Columbia – the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network helps more than 4 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.