129
AGENDA ITEM BACKGROUND
TO: GOVERNING BOARD
DATE
FROM: PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
February 11, 2013
Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Title V Grant Update
ENCLOSURE(S)
REASON FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
INFORMATION
ITEM NUMBER
Page 1 of 1
D.8
BACKGROUND
The college is in its fourth year of a five-year Title V grant through the Strengthening Hispanic-Serving
Institutions (HSI) Program under the U.S. Department of Education, Oct. 2009 – Sept. 2014. The
purpose of the legislation is to “expand educational opportunities for, and improve the academic
attainment of Hispanic students; and expand and enhance the academic offerings, program quality, and
institutional stability of colleges and universities that are educating the majority of Hispanic college
students and helping large numbers of Hispanic students and other low-income individuals complete
post secondary education.” The grant is intended to increase success for students assessing at basic
skills levels in math, English and reading, through a First Year Experience (FYE) program and several
other initiatives. Information on STARS (Students Transitioning in Academics and Reaching Success) is
online at www.cabrillostars.org. Staff offices are in the Learning Communities Center, providing a
centralized place of information for the various learning communities at the college.
Status Update
The grant funded activities fall under two primary components: increased student engagement, and faculty
development to support student achievement. All are on schedule and making positive progress. The
primary activity for the first component is the STARS FYE program, which supports students through a
coordinated full-time schedule that includes math and English each semester, along with a particular
career focus. Preliminary research is showing that STARS students are making quicker progress through
the basic skills sequence in math and English than students in the control group. Another major initiative
in support of student success is being developed in partnership with IT and piloted this year. SOFIA
(Student Outcomes for Faculty Inquiry and Analysis) is a program that faculty can use to track student
success, retention, and progress beyond their class in order to improve instructional effectiveness. To
develop critical reading skills, a library collection that targets students who read at the basic skills level
was established and is augmented each year at the main library in Aptos and the Integrated Learning
Center in Watsonville.
Various venues for faculty and staff professional development have been supported by the grant,
including workshops in learner-centered teaching strategies, attendance at professional conferences, and
data systems training. Nine classrooms have been equipped with “smart” instructional equipment with
grant funds, and a Title V endowment fund has been established with matching federal dollars to support
student scholarships after the grant period ends.
Administrator Initiating Item:
Rachel Mayo, Dean, Education Centers and
Title V Director
Kathie Welch, Vice President, Instruction
Academic and Professional Matter
If yes, Faculty Senate Agreement
Senate President Signature
 Yes X No
 Yes X No
Final Disposition