[GuidedPathways] Introducing Pathways to Progress, a Monthly Guided Pathways Newsletter

Monica Wilson mwilson at sbctc.edu
Wed Feb 12 11:54:35 PST 2025 

Pathways to Progress
Winter Newsletter, February 2025
A Message from Monica: Naming the Moment
Scholar and Educator Kevin Kumashiro<https://www.kevinkumashiro.com/> asks us to take the time to name and understand the moment<https://civicmedia.us/shows/busted-pencils/2024/11/23/naming-the-moment> we exist in before rushing to solutions. I encourage you to take a deep breath and consider what this moment looks, sounds, and feels like to you. How would you name it?

My authentic response may not be appropriate here, but it invokes images of dumpsters on fire.  I notice and feel the struggle of those around me who feel daunted by the fear and uncertainty of the political and social landscape around us. What does it mean for our students? Our communities? Ourselves? There are so many questions and so few answers. My solution? A monthly newsletter.

This moment is marked by confusion. What I can offer is a monthly message to provide clarity wherever I can, point you towards our best resources, and provide a communication channel that adds value to your campus engagement with Guided Pathways for advancing equity and student success.

This moment is ripe for cultivating the conditions for deep learning and systemic transformation that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service of our diverse communities. Our vehicle for this work at this moment, our vehicle for equity and student success, is Guided Pathways. The work is powered by all of you and has been generously funded by the Washington State Legislature since 2019.

The Workforce Education and Investment Act allocated $40.7 million of state funds to our system this year to stay on the path with implementing Guided Pathways<https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.50.925> practices include:

  *   Comprehensive mapping of student educational pathways with student end goals in mind;
  *   Dedicated advising and career counseling that helps students make informed program choices and develop completion plans;
  *   Data analysis of student learning as well as program and service outcomes. Data must be used to inform program development, the creation and further refinement of student pathways, and to provide opportunities for early intervention to help students succeed; and
  *   A student success support infrastructure effective in closing equity gaps among historically underserved student populations and improve completion rates:
     *   Equity competent academic advising services;
     *   Equity competent career development programming;
     *   Clear information regarding financial aid and financial literacy; and
     *   Inclusive curriculum and teaching practices.

I’ve added the emphasis to the last section to highlight that the Washington state legislature wrote equity into our work of Guided Pathways. While I recognize the tension between this approach and the aggressive tactics at the federal level aiming to chill equity work, our mandate is clear.

This moment may feel heavy, but it is also full of possibility. While the challenges are real, so is our progress and the commitment of those who continue to show up and do the work (which you will read more about in the newsletter below). This moment is also our moment to continue pushing forward our work of equity focused student success.  I am honored to be your partner in this work.

Key Updates
Guided Pathways Advisory Council 2024-25 Focus
GPAC<https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/programs-services/student-success-center/guided-pathways-advisory-council> reports to the Education Services Committee of the WACTC<https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/commissions-councils/wactc/>. Throughout the remainder of the year the council will:

  1.  Propose Guided Pathways performance targets for WACTC consideration and adoption.
     *   We continued this conversation at our January 17th meeting (notes are available here<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OliUC7HtW0arvrhjvQlJZMJgRpm5lMH6dpe55v7VlVU/edit?usp=sharing>). Please respond to this message with any feedback or input you would like added to the discussion!
  2.  Collaborate and shape a Guided Pathways roadmap for continuous improvement and stronger institutional practices.
     *   ACTION NEEDED: Help shape the story of Guided Pathways for the legislature! Share your feedback on system work plans by completing this quick survey<https://forms.gle/nCJ3HpXczDBnjjtv9>. Your input ensures our work reflects system needs and makes a meaningful impact.

Student Success/Student Advising Platform RFP
In Fall 2023, Presidents and Chancellors across the state voted to pursue a system-wide Request for Proposals (RFP) for student success software, supported by SBCTC and designed for two-way integration with PeopleSoft. Over the past year, a dedicated workgroup has defined the purpose and functional requirements for the RFP. This fall quarter, a small team of system representatives (listed below) reviewed and scored 11 submitted proposals. In January, the top four vendors—ConexEd, EAB, Frequency Foundry, and HighPoint—conducted product demonstrations, shared accessibility features, and participated in Q&A sessions with stakeholders.

Next Steps

  *   Finalizing Individual Scoring Adjustments – Scoring team members may submit any final adjustments by February 7, 2025
  *   Accessibility Testing – Scheduled between February 6 and February 20, 2025 (tentative)
  *   RFP Work Group Meeting – To discuss findings, next steps, and outstanding questions on February 17 or 19, 2025
  *   Notification of Apparent Successful Vendor – Expected by February 27, 2025 (tentative)
  *   Vendor Debriefing Requests – Vendors may request a debrief by March 3, 2025 (optional)
  *   Vendor Debriefings – Scheduled for March 4-6, 2025 (if requested)
  *   Contract Approval & Signature – Expected in March 2025 (TBD)

Once the process is finalized and a contract is signed, colleges will have the option to opt in for use of the selected software. Key details regarding cost, pricing, and implementation are still being determined and will be discussed at the February meeting of Presidents and Chancellors.

Further updates will be shared as they become available.

Save the Date
Check the 2024-2025 Peer and Professional Learning Calendar<https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/programs-services/student-success-center/peer-professional-learning> often for updates and check out the following events!

[DECORATIVE]
[DECORATIVE]
[DECORATIVE]
Smart Scheduling Summit<https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=0w2v2083vzw1d4rwp6tdjwbupv2ne3vd6bndazym5wekarsmtfnj>
March 5-6 (Wed-Thurs)
Everett Community College
Join us for a dynamic summit with Ad Astra, where cross-functional teams unite to learn, collaborate, and take action on data-driven course scheduling. Discover strategies to maximize student credit accumulation and persistence.

Innovation and AI in Guided Pathways<https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=gwp8bs99v0uh726asb6g0gbp4ttgvvgshgfuy0nk2n495kb49u9h>
April 17 (Thurs)
Clover Park Technical College
Explore how AI can transform Guided Pathways and student success! Learn how to navigate the human side of AI adoption and foster an inclusive culture of innovation in the rapidly evolving landscape of higher ed.

Assessment, Teaching and Learning Conference<https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/programs-services/student-success-center/faculty-development-ensured-learning/atl-conference>
April 29 - May 1 (Tues-Thurs)
Vancouver Hilton in Vancouver, WA
Join faculty from Washington’s community and technical colleges for a two-day event on assessment, teaching, and learning with a focus on centering students.

Note: The Student Success Center can provide travel support for your team! Complete this survey<https://forms.gle/rexPCHsxLRTDv7oS6> to request funding assistance.

Coaches Corner
A message from Guided Pathway Coach, Kate Kreig<https://learn-consulting.com/about/>
[Person spinning plates on sticks with a thought bubble that reads, "No time to plan, just keep them in the air."  A caption on the photo says, "When you have a bund of guided pathways projects but don't have long-term owners.]
Ever watch one of those plate-spinning acts where someone rushes between multiple spinning plates, trying to keep them all going at once? That's what it looks like when we implement Guided Pathways activities without clear owners. We try to keep things going, hoping nothing crashes while we continue to take on more.
Through my coaching work with colleges implementing Guided Pathways, I've learned that successful implementation and transformation isn't about how many plates you can get spinning - it's about ensuring each plate has a dedicated spinner. Without designated ownership, even our most promising practices risk becoming part of the cleanup pile.
The solution? Give each "plate" a home. Assign Primary Owners who take responsibility for keeping their specific practices and policies spinning, supported by Secondary Owners who help maintain the momentum. Assign these roles, plan for succession, and document procedures that will be reviewed and sustained.
Because when plates start falling, the question shouldn't be "How could this happen?" but rather "Who's responsible for keeping this plate spinning?"
Data Spotlight
The Washington State legislature is monitoring the following metrics for Guided Pathways on an annual basis and will use our progress on these metrics as a basis to determine ongoing investments in Guided Pathways reforms and transformation after the final report is due in 2029.  All legislative data shall consider differences in outcomes by racial and ethnic subgroups and socioeconomic status.
[Series of overlapping blue circles with the legislative metrics used for Guided Pathways evaluation.]

Watch this video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmowXcAwy5o> to learn more about the Guided Pathways and Student Achievement Initiative Metrics and for a tutorial on exploring the features of the First Time Enrolled in College Dashboard.<https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/collegeaccess/research-data/first-time-entering-student-outcomes-dashboard>

Stay Informed!

Policy Associates in the Student Success Center have developed quarterly newsletters to explore the topics that matter most in the system!  Checkout the Math Pathways and Placement<https://www.wamathpathways.org/> for winter quarter to learn more about system initiatives and upcoming events!



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