GOAL 1

Establish practices that facilitate increased student retention, completion and transfer.

Review of Current Practices

In order to establish practices that facilitate increased student retention, completion, and transfer we first needed to review and understand and evaluate current practices, audits were conducted of departments that impacted success across the campus. The following four departments had audits conducted: Student Life and Leadership, Human Resources, Math Department, and English Department.  These audits showed a need for more student perspective and led to a a student voice study.

Additionally the project received approval to utilize unexpended contract funds on joining the Achieving the Dream (ATD) Network. The ATD Framework provides a comprehensive structure to identify strengths and capacities so colleges can successfully transform and improve student outcomes on campus. This allowed the college to engage at this transformation work more broadly. The college is focusing on two priorities:

1. By the conclusion of the 2026–2027 academic year, improve the successful course completion rates—defined as earning a grade of C or higher—among non–dual enrollment students in the following gateway courses: 

   • MAT14x from 68.5%  to 74% for all enrolled students 

   • MAT15x from 47.2% to 61% for all enrolled students 

   • ENG101 from 71% to 80% for all enrolled students.

2. Increase by 5% the retention rate (Fall to Fall) of non-dual enrollment, award/transfer seeking students from 55% to 60% by 2026-2027 through a redesign of and increased student engagement in new student onboarding and academic advisement procedures, implementation of case management strategies and tracking, and enhanced career exploration opportunities.

Strategic Plan

Phoenix College's 2023-2028 strategic plan includes commitments that directly connect efforts with these. The full strategic plan can be viewed here. The dashboard below highlights the progress Phoenix College has made towards the various strategic commitments in the plan. 

Transformation and Professional Development Activities

To enhance the retention, completion, and transfer of Phoenix College students they project has supported faculty and staff development through the following activities: 

• Math Department Professional Development on Equity-Minded Practices in Online Mathematics Classes (F 23)

• A book study on Transforming Hispanic Service Institutions for Equity and Justice for faculty and staff (AY 23-24)

• ACUE's Certification track on Effective Online Teaching Practices for faculty (AY 24-25)

• ACUE's Course on Fostering a Culture of Belonging for faculty and staff (SP 25)

•  Executive Functioning Training for Student Success Specialists and Online Learning Commons Tutors (F 25)

• AI Literacy (F 26)

• Reflect: Relate: Using Stories to Turn Information into Connection (F 26)