The Exemplary Program Award Application
Each response is limited to 200 words per prompt (including supplemental support or evidence)
Describe the indicators
of overall program
success (limit 200
words)
Hartnell’s Online Orientation is a tool designed to provide a comprehensive educational experience for prospective or currently enrolled students at the
college. The indicators for overall program success will be a significant increase in student learning on each topic covered in the Online Orientation.
These topics include: knowledge of the Hartnell College “Steps to Success” or enrollment process, financial aid and scholarships, assessment testing
including study guides for students to review prior to taking the test, the college policy on satisfactory academic progress, counseling and developing an
educational plan, academic programs at the college, career and technical education programs, student support programs and services, associated student
government and clubs, the college policy on repeatability, student code of conduct, safety services on campus, information on crisis counseling support
and much more.
The Online Orientation is offered in English, Spanish, and Accessible versions (for students with hearing and visual disabilities). A unique feature of
the orientation is embedded videos that highlight current students enrolled at the college. Early data demonstrates on average a 20% increase in student
learning as measured through pre- and post-test assessment.
Supplemental Support or Evidence (optional—included in the 200 word limit): Please see the attached Knowledge Gap Analysis
Describe the identified
need for the program
and the innovative
solution that was
implemented (limit 200
Monterey County is a very large service area with many parts of the county being rural. The development of a technological tool that will allow
prospective students to identify postsecondary options in their community was a significant achievement. The development and implementation of an
online college orientation with streaming videos of current students highlighting college programs and services, resources, academic programs, career
and technical education programs, financial aid, scholarships, and many other resources was critical in highlighting a viable postsecondary option to the
community.
words)
Supplemental Support or Evidence (optional—included in the 200 word limit):
Exemplary Program Award: 2014-2015
1
Explain how the program
collaborates with other
programs on campus or
within the community
(limit 200 words)
Online Orientation is a critical tool that allows the college to begin preparing students for college enrollment far in advance of their actual enrollment.
Since the tool is online the orientation can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. In collaboration with our feeder high schools the
orientation is a tool that can be embedded into assignments as a part of the curriculum through the common core standard measuring college readiness.
Our high school partners have responded positively to this technological innovation and are pleased it appeals to the different learning styles of students,
kinesthetic, audio, visual, and multi-modal learners.
Supplemental Support or Evidence (optional—included in the 200 word limit):
http://www.hartnell.edu/online-orientation-new-students
Describe how the
program supports the
principles of your
college’s mission
statement (limit 200
words)
Focusing on the needs of the Salinas Valley, Hartnell College provides educational opportunities for students to reach academic goals in an
environment committed to student learning, achievement and success. Orientation to the variety of programs and services available to student is a
crucial first step in achieving the goals of our College Mission Statement. Supporting our college mission statement are six strategic priorities. Online
Orientation is aligned with the following College Strategic Priorities:
1) Student Access: creating an orientation process that can be easily accessed from anywhere 24/7.
2) Student Success: creating an early awareness of education planning and the Hartnell College “Steps to Success;
4) Effective Utilization of Resources: the Online modality enables an efficient and effective delivery of consistent information;
5) Innovation and Relevance for Educational Programs and Services: Hartnell is one of the first community college Online Orientation programs to be
implemented.
6) Partnerships with Industry, Business, Agencies, and Education: Online Orientation helps prospective students to become aware of future
opportunities and fosters the development of pathways from K-12 to community college.
Online Orientation also supports Standard II.B.3 in the ACCJC accreditation standards “delivery of high quality services despite location or modality
focused on increasing student success.”
Supplemental Support or Evidence (optional—included in the 200 word limit):
Exemplary Program Award: 2014-2015
2
Explain how this program
can be a model for other
community colleges
addressing such issues as
costs and replication
Historically, colleges have utilized Counselors or College outreach staff to facilitate college orientations to prospective or enrolled students. From a
learning perspective whatever the student takes away from the orientation in terms of learning is the takeaway, there is no way to replicate the
information. With an online orientation modality, there is consistency in information delivery and students can always revisit the tool if they do not
remember information. Other community colleges can use this tool as a model to increase their collaborative work with high schools, middle schools,
community based organizations, and one stop career centers.
(limit 200 words)
Supplemental Support or Evidence (optional—included in the 200 word limit):
Exemplary Program Award: 2014-2015
3