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Inland Empire Guided Pathways Student Voice

Student-generated solutions are a critical component of equitable institutional transformation. GIA has undertaken numerous student voice research studies using an innovative multimodal cognitive method designed by Dr. Yvonne Olivares, which are generating valuable insights and actionable recommendations. We encourage you to take some time to explore and act on the insights found  below.

Student Voice Research Findings and Recommendations by Topic Area

Student Voice Alignment & Partnerships
TECHNOLOGY
• Many students do not own “their own” laptops (they share or borrow)
• There is no single-best communication mode for all students, not even a single-best mode for any given student all the time
• College office hrs. overlap students’ work hrs
Student Recommendation GP Pillars Student Success Factors
(RP Group)
Potential Campus Partners
Allow for multiple modes of communication
•Video chat with file & screen sharing function
•Call-in option
•Email for simple questions
•Instant messaging
Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Connected All
Create and include step-by-step tutorials on how to access any student service and including technology needed (app, OS, browser) Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Connected All

 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION
• Even students with laptops rely heavily on mobile due to conflicting demands; mobile is primary
• Although information is available online, information is difficult to find
• Students miss appointments due to wrong app and/or incompatible browsers and as a result are often blocked from scheduling additional appointments

Student Recommendation GP Pillars Student Success Factors
(RP Group)
Potential Campus Partners
User-friendly websites optimized for mobile Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Directed
Focused
All
College mobile app that allows students to search for the information and resources they need Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Directed
Focused
All
Consistent software and apps across the college to create more consistent online services experience Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Directed
Focused
All
Guidance on using/saving multiple passwords Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Directed
Focused
All

 

COUNSELING
• Students who know their major in advance of seeing a counselor are more likely to report a positive experience
• Poor experiences often stem from students not being given or not understanding how to access resources mentioned by counselor (Students are unable to recall info after meeting and do not know how to access counselor notes in apps like Starfish)

Student Recommendation GP Pillars Student Success Factors
(RP Group)
Potential Campus Partners
Have counselor recommendations documented where students can readily review Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Directed
Focused
Counselors
Provide more detailed guidance on how to access additional resources such as Major Requirement sheets Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Directed
Focused
Counselors
Allow for advance scheduling Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Directed
Focused
Counselors
Have more evening and weekend appointments Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Directed
Focused
Counselors

 

ONLINE LEARNING
• Students with luxury of time/tech waste time navigating the differently designed courses
• Those without time/tech miss resources/assignments becasue they cannot find them

Student Recommendation GP Pillars Student Success Factors
(RP Group)
Potential Campus Partners
Create standards and templates for instructors to follow that provide consistency across courses Staying on the Path
Ensuring Learning
Directed
Focused
Department Chairs/Deans
Canvas notifications for:
•New assignments posted
•Assignment is coming due
•Zoom meeting (with link and password)
•Group messages
•Any other relevant course information
Staying on the Path
Ensuring Learning
Directed
Focused
Instructors
Consistent notifications across courses/interfaces Staying on the Path
Ensuring Learning
Directed
Focused
Instructors
Zoom meetings should have new announcement with link EVERY TIME Staying on the Path
Ensuring Learning
Directed
Focused
Instructors
Instructor office hours should be posted in online environment Staying on the Path
Ensuring Learning
Directed
Focused
Instructors

 

CAREER EXPLORATION
• Students base major/career decision on limited information
• Students rely on google/youtube on hot/top/popular jobs
• Many students are not aware of their suitability (e.g., personality fit, skills) or feel pressured to begin earning immediately
• Students want to both be able to find major/career information themselves (self-guided) and have access to guided support

Student Recommendation GP Pillars Student Success Factors
(RP Group)
Potential Campus Partners
Guided: Provide more opportunities for career exploration. Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Career Services
Guided: Mandatory counseling 2-3 times per semester Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Counselors
Guided: Counselors specializing in major/career fields Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Counselors
Career Services
Guided: GenEd courses support increasing knowledge of career options Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Instructors
Career Services
Guided: Internships Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Career Services
Guided: Broaden career assessment to include:
•Skills analysis
•Hobbies/interest
•Personality
•Job market
Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Career Services
Self-Guided: Increase self-guided career information and assessment with website, app, and Canvas career information that includes:
•Major/career requirements
•Potential careers they can pursue with the major/career
•Skills students can expect to develop in major/career
•Pertinent personality requirements for major/career
•Major /career-based student groups
•Workshops and seminars specific to field of study
Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Career Services
Self-Guided: Host an annual major/career fair Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Career Services
Self-Guided: Provide opportunities for students to hear professional speakers Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Career Services
Self-Guided: Require students to attend activities that teach about campus opportunities and support systems Entering the Path Directed
Focused
Career Services

 

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
• Students feel left out/isolated and do not have regular groups or activities on their campuses
• Students rely on external groups for creating a sense of belonging
• Campus activities limited to annual or special events

Student Recommendation GP Pillars Student Success Factors
(RP Group)
Potential Campus Partners
Utilize communication tools such as
•Weekly email
•Regularly updated webpage
•College-specific app
•Canvas links
to offer broader outreach about information on groups, events and activities were happening around campus and HOW to participate
Staying on the Path Nurtured
Engaged
Connected
All
Create and offer student groups that are topic- or group- specific including:
•Ethnicity-based, service oriented: to provide support and geared toward serving a greater purpose (i.e. service-related or volunteer org)
•Professional: related to courses, major, and/or career
– Direct such as business, medical
– Indirect such as writing groups
•Personal interests such as  bowling, basketball, dating, poetry
•Mental health: professional or peer to peer to talk with others about their struggles during COVID-19 (students open to digital i.e. chat rooms)
Staying on the Path Nurtured
Engaged
Connected
All
Spotlights on fellow Black/African American students and their accomplishments as a reminder they are not alone. Staying on the Path Nurtured
Engaged
Connected
All

CAMPUS STATE
• Students are differentially impacted by pandemic (e.g. female Latinx students more likely to report un/underemployment)
• Students lack awareness that “support” is possible
• New pandemic-specific responsibilities (e.g., managing children’s online education and their own simultaneously) are extremely difficult
• College office hours conflict students’ work hours

Student Recommendation GP Pillars Student Success Factors
(RP Group)
Potential Campus Partners
Look for ways to offer “support” proactively (rather than waiting for students to ask) AND avoid using term “help” as many highest need students  are uncomfortable with the term Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Connected
Focused
All
Provide mental health professionals or peer-to-peer to talk about their struggles exasperbated by COVID-19 Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Connected
Focused
Student Services
Create positive experiences for students that normalize support-seeking behavior by providing caring, consistent, reliable, and easy-to-use support Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Connected
Focused
All
Continue all possible online service option post-pandemic Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Connected
Focused
All
Provide professional development for all campus constituents to maximize the functionality of technology (i.e. Zoom, Canvas…) Entering the Path
Staying on the Path
Connected
Focused
Professional Development Committee

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