A monthly newsletter that gives you the facts.... Oct. 11, 2004, Vol III, Issue i

Terry Thibodeaux

Welcome to another year of The Report Card, a monthly newsletter containing information on various topics related to institutional effectiveness. This year we have a new look and more great information to highlight the college’s progress towards achieving its college goals.  This issue is on graduation.
 

 
Debbie Hanninen

These three students were classmates during the past two years in the very first GRCC/CWU teaching cohort. The CWU/GRCC program began its third cohort group in September, 2004, preparing future teachers for the exciting world of education.

 
Ann Anderson

Thibodeaux is now teaching 1st grade at Sunrise Elementary in Kent. Both Debbie Hanninen and Ann Anderson are teaching at Millennium Elementary in Kent. Debbie teaches 5th grade and Ann 6th grade.




 

Background: 

Students enroll in college for a variety of reasons.  Less than half (about 47%) of all new transfer and workforce students who enroll at community colleges in Washington enroll with the intent of earning a two-year degree. At Green River, the percentage of new transfer and workforce students who enroll with the intent of earning a two-year degree is slightly higher (55%).  

• In fall 2003, 55% of new transfer students at Green River planned on earning a degree compared to 53% of workforce students.  Similarly, the percentage of new transfer students system-wide who enrolled with the intent of earning a degree was higher than that of workforce students (50% and 44% respectively). (See Figure 1).

Highlights:

During the 2003-04 academic year, Green River awarded a total of 2,445 degrees and certificates. Although this is a slight decrease from the previous year, it represents an 18% increase since 2000-01. (See Figure 2). 

• Of the graduates last year, more than half (55%) were female. Over 23% were students of color and 5% reported a disability.
  (See Figure 3). 
   
• Professional/technical certificates were awarded the most (1,172 or 48% of the total).  The five certificates with the highest number of awards were Data Entry (62), File Clerk (57), Aviation - International Knowledge (51), Aviation - Basic Knowledge (49), and Office Support (42).  (See Figure 4).
   
• With so many professional/technical certificates offered, many students earn multiple degrees or certificates within the same year.  Last year, 16% earned two or more degrees or certificates. This represents a 4% increase since 2000-01. (See Figure 5).

The percentage of full-time, degree-seeking students enrolled at Green River who completed their program of study within three years increased by 9% after remaining fairly constant around 26% or 27% since 2000-01.  Similarly, the percentage system-wide also increased, but only by 4%.  (See Figure 6).

Last year, the Board of Trustees asked if student intent when enrolling was consistent with the degree or certificate eventually earned. In other words, did students who indicated transfer as their purpose for attending eventually earn academic degrees? Similarly, did students who indicated workforce as their purpose for attending earn professional/technical degrees or certificates?  In the majority of cases, the answer is yes.

• Eighty-six percent of transfer students earned an academic degree while 83% of workforce students earned a professional/technical degree or certificate. Furthermore, 93% of basic skills students earned a high school diploma or GED. (See Figure 7).