For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: May 8, 2024
Student success plans to be completed for every student
Fennimore -Southwest Wisconsin Technical College officials are ramping up efforts to make sure all students succeed. Earlier this year, the college expanded its student success plans, aimed at assisting every student with a personal success plan. To develop a student success plan, students meet one-on-one with college staff to complete a career assessment, create a financial budget for life during college, and develop a support and services plan to complement their academic map. “We really think these success plans are going to help the students be more successful in getting to graduation and achieving post-graduation success,” said Holly Clendenen, chief student services officer at Southwest Tech. “We are very committed to making sure all of our program students graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to gain high-wage employment or be ready to efficiently transfer.”
The financial budget covers a student’s entire college career, and helps students understand the cost of attending and what financial resources they have available to pay for college. “Student success plans for all students is one of our highest priorities,” said Dr. Jason Wood, Southwest Tech president. “With this model we hope to increase access, completion and post-graduation outcomes and celebrate even more student success.”
The budget template will help students identify their income and expenses while in college and highlight any gaps. “It will also assist in finding the appropriate supports and resources the college, or community agencies, can offer,” said Clendenen.
The supports and services plan will identify what campus services, like academic tutoring, disability services, counseling, career services, or on-campus employment, could help the student be successful during their enrollment. “We want our support to be proactive, not reactive, and to connect students to the faculty and staff that can aid their learning before classes even begin,” said Clendenen.
Many new students had an opportunity to create their individual student success plans during New Student Registration, which began April 8. “I liked it,” said Candi Snyder, whose daughter, Emilee, is enrolling in the University Transfer Liberal Arts program. “It makes me feel more comfortable that they are working and walking her through each step. It helps me understand it better, but it probably also helps Emilee understand it better.”
There are more than 200 students who have completed a student success plan with hundreds more plans in progress. The goal is to have completed plans for every program student.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |