Achieving the Dream names EvCC a Leader College of Distinction
Press Release
Release Date: March 8, 2019
Contact: Heather Bennett, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Resource Development, 425-388-9253; hbennett@everettcc.edu
EVERETT, Wash. – Everett Community College is one of eleven community colleges nationwide that earned recognition from Achieving the Dream as a “Leader College of Distinction.”
EvCC was recognized for increases in the number of students completing math and English requirements during their first year, year-to-year retention and degree completion.
“The metrics ATD established for Leader College of Distinction are meant to encourage colleges to sustain aggressive efforts that result in far greater student success and equity,” said Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “The honor recognizes network colleges that have lived their reform work over time and seen real improvements in student achievement across the institution.”
Achieving the Dream is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. EvCC has participated in Achieving the Dream since 2011.
EvCC credits math and English gains to using alternative placement, which allows students to submit their high school transcripts or standardized test scores instead of taking a placement test, and shortening the pre-college course sequences.
The college also requires students to complete orientation, meet with an advisor prior to enrollment and before students’ third quarters and select a pathway (a group of related degrees and certificates). EvCC has also received state and national attention for its equity and inclusion work.
EvCC and Pierce College were the two Washington state colleges honored. Other Leader Colleges of Distinction include Amarillo College and Lee College in Texas, Bay College in Michigan, College of Southern Nevada, Cuyahoga Community College in Ohio, Kingsborough Community College in New York, Lorain Community College and North Central State College in Ohio and Passaic County Community College in New Jersey.
Everett Community College educates more than 19,000 students every year, with most students and faculty at the main campus in north Everett. Students come to EvCC to affordably start their four-year degrees, earn certificates, train for a new job, experience hands-on training in professional and technical programs, learn English, develop basic skills, finish high school, train for a promotion, or to learn just for fun.
Achieving the Dream, Inc. is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. Evidence-based, student-centered, and built on the values of equity and excellence, Achieving the Dream is closing achievement gaps and accelerating student success nationwide by: 1) guiding evidence-based institutional improvement, 2) leading policy change, 3) generating knowledge, and 4) engaging the public. Conceived as an initiative in 2004 by Lumina Foundation and seven founding partner organizations, today, Achieving the Dream is leading the most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. With over 200 institutions, more than 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams - working throughout 34 states and the District of Columbia – the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network helps nearly 4 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.