Strengthening Students’ Oakton Experience This year, we strengthened our focus on expanding access to an Oakton education through intentional outreach to all of our community members — including high school students, adult learners, students intending to transfer and more. We also strengthened student services to meet the needs of our diverse student population.
• We’ve worked closely with our partner high schools to build our Early College program and expand opportunities for students to get a head start on a college degree. This year, in line with our strategic plan, we increased enrollment in dual-credit programs by nearly 18% and grew our concurrent enrollment program by 22 students. And in May, we awarded Basic Nurse Assistant Training certificates to a record-breaking 78 high school students, qualifying them to work as nursing assistants. • More than 90 faculty members have completed the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) Effective Online Teaching Practices course, a nationally recognized credential designed to improve the learning experience for students enrolled in online courses. In addition, our new Caring Campus initiative mobilizes staff members to make students feel welcomed and supported through specific behaviors such as greeting students in hallways and providing warm referrals to colleagues in other departments.
• We’ve added several new staff positions, including equity coordinators and student success navigators, to provide students with the holistic support they need to thrive. For example, we hired an additional care coordinator to connect students to resources that address food and housing insecurity, health care and mental health support. We also hired a bilingual counselor and student experience navigators to provide cohort-based advising. • We’ve expanded our transfer agreements with four-year universities to provide our students with even more pathways to their next step. For example, Elmhurst University will award a full scholarship to one Oakton honors student each year. Also, Oakton degree students who earn a Cannabis Cultivation Certificate can now transfer smoothly to Lake Superior State University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Cannabis Business.
“We want students to feel they belong at Oakton — that their lived experiences are valued and that they made a smart decision in choosing Oakton to help them achieve their goals.” –Joianne L. Smith, Ph.D. President
6 2023 Annual Report | oakton.edu
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