A Community College Approach to Increase Student Completion: A Case Study of Change Initiatives at Bergen Community College

ABSTRACT

The intent of this study is to explore the actions and strategies used by the administration at Bergen Community College to serve its institutional mission in increasing student completion. Facing challenges in low completion rate, Bergen Community College began the student completion initiative to develop a strategy that would best serve the institution. As the student completion initiative grew, and momentum began to build, the change agents expanded beyond the key administrators, faculty, and staff that held an initial role in the project to also include those that actively sought to participate. Bergen was able to successfully implement change in their processes, and how the institution and stakeholders holistically treat graduation. By making decisions based on graduation data analysis, implementing practice and process changes, targeting student outreach, and continually promoting graduation, more students are completing a credential. Bergen has surpassed their goal of increasing their graduation rate by 25% by 2018. Additionally, this model was executed at a relatively low cost by utilizing existing resources and human capital. Therefore, similar institutions can replicate this model to ensure that eligible students receive the degree or certificate they have earned.