The path toward completing one’s degree in higher education is not the same for all. To facilitate each student’s unique experience, Guided Pathways have been established in nearly 400 community colleges since 2015.
Their focus is to create “fundamental change in how community colleges are organized,” and as a result, “bring about significant gains in student success,” as stated in the book “Redesigning America’s Community Colleges: A Clearer Path to Student Success” by Thomas Bailey, Shanna Smith Jaggars and Davis Jenkins.
Efforts to bring Guided Pathways to Los Medanos College began in 2017, and were an “ongoing and iterative process,” according to Tanisha Maxwell, Vice President of Student Services. The Strategic Enrollment Management Committee (SEM) outlined plans that focused on getting students to clarify a pathway, get on and stay on that pathway, and ensure learning throughout the process.
“I believe that Guided Pathways is important and beneficial for students because it assists students with successful completion of their academic goals through structured guidance and support,” Maxwell said.
The process of creating these pathways has spanned nearly a decade. To determine the best practices and support for students, their voices remained essential throughout planning. Formed teams for Student Success and LMCAS members were part of the shared governance structure.
Computer Science Professor Louie Giambattista, whose office is located in the new Student Success Center, is pleased the former computer lab space is being utilized.
“For a long time, this [lab] wasn’t being used at all. I was so happy to find out they were going to use this,” Giambattista said, adding, “[Guided pathways] is a great resource that the college decided to spend money on.”
Pathways have five areas of focus: Health and Public Services; Behavioral Science and Social Science; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Business, Manufacturing and Transportation; Art, Humanities and Communication. Within each sector, associate degrees and certificates can be earned.
To better understand how students can qualify for a specific pathway, the Student Success Center is located in College Complex CO200. Resources range from tech support, academic monitoring, pathway assistance, registration help, and providing a quiet computer area for students.
The Senior Program Coordinator for the center is Letta Green, and she has been part of the Contra Costa Community College District for 29 years. She, along with three recently hired success coaches, are part of the Student Success Team model that has officially launched this spring.
Vice President of Business Administrative Services Carlos Montoya spoke highly of the resource and the impact it will have on LMC students.
“This will be a positive impact that the student services team has been working on for a while,” Montoya said. “Our team is here to support the space change needs.”
Student Leilani Vargas had not heard of the new success center but commented how she thinks it will be a good resource for students.
“I think a lot of community college students get confused and unsure about resources they need to find,” said Vargas.
Another student, Ari Velazquez, had yet to hear about the program but described it as useful.
“I have been looking into ways to monitor my progress, definitely going to check it out,” said Velazquez.
As the center is focused on making its presence on campus, Green noted that responses from students and staff learning about the new space and services have “ranged from surprised, to welcoming and excited.”
“It is important for students to have a space dedicated to making their journey at LMC as seamless as possible; a welcoming space that provides cross-campus resources and connections that build community,” said Green.
The district will implement these pathways across the three colleges, and resources will align with the 2023-2024 strategic course schedule and the Student Success Team model. To see how Guided Pathways fit into one’s academic journey, the Student Success Center will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
