Belleville, Ontario, June 15, 2015 – With a goal of maximizing each student’s potential for success, Loyalist College is pleased to offer all incoming first-year students a Tailored Achievement Plan – a plan which is designed to inspire confidence, innovation and most importantly, preparation for the workplace. Based on the results of students’ responses to an online self-assessment survey, the College will assess students’ motivational strengths and needs, and recommend services and programs to meet them, creating a plan that is both realistic and achievable. Multidisciplinary support teams with a range of skill sets are brought together to address the varying needs of groups of students ensuring effective, efficient and exceptional service.
“We want to connect with students early – get them in the right program at the right time – so they can be successful,” said John McMahon, Senior Vice-President Academic and Student Success. “Using data collected from the College Student Inventory, our Student Services team are able to determine the persistence levels of students prior to arrival. Through a collaborative College team approach, we are able to build upon their strengths, mitigate their challenges and increase overall student retention.”
As part of their Achievement Plan, students will receive an interpretive report of their responses to the College Student Inventory™, part of a retention management system from Ruffalo Noel-Levitz Inc., a higher education consulting firm that provides analytics, assessment tools and a data dashboard to support increased completion rates. The reports assess students’ general coping abilities and receptivity to support services compared to a large sample of college students from across North America. Many factors may contribute to students being identified as having lower than average persistence levels. For example, they may not be in the program that meets their passion, interests, values and aptitude, or some may not be academically or financially prepared for a post-secondary education. These students will be engaged prior to entry to develop their Tailored Achievement Plan, inclusive of various services and resources to meet their desired outcome.
“No other post-secondary institutions in Ontario are offering this level of customized support,” said Director of Student Services Denyce Diakun. “We think of the questionnaire as an opportunity for students to help us understand their strengths and challenges so that we may assist them in achieving their academic and personal goals during their time at Loyalist. This retention management system will allow us to identify and focus on the students who need our services the most – and track their progress. Over time, the data will help to inform our efforts, including program planning, development and implementation.”
The College Student Inventory™ questionnaire takes between 15-30 minutes to complete and will be accessible via students’ smartphones as well as computers. Alternative formats are available if required. Students’ personal data will only be shared with appropriate Student Services in order to help them select courses, access supports and make other educational decisions. If students prefer their individual results are not shared, they can decline consent at the end of the survey.
About Loyalist College
When it comes to grads getting jobs, Loyalist College is the #1 College in Ontario. According to Provincial Key Performance Indicator (KPI) results released April 15, 2015, 89.3 per cent of the College’s most recent graduates found employment within six months of graduation compared to the provincial average of 84 per cent. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 60 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and 500+ online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing and Communications,
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536