Community college staff and faculty play a pivotal role in assisting students as they navigate the crucial phase of choosing their academic paths. From intake through onboarding, students need support in exploring and designing their college journey.

We’ll explore how one college has streamlined intake processes, including advising methods and tools that facilitate informed decision-making for students, and we’ll explore how to support staff and in guiding students through their academic choices and onboarding processes.

Pre-pandemic model: Burden on students. Navigate steps without support. Gravity-fed admission yield

Inadequate classified staffing time and training

Complete absence of resources dedicated to brand new students

Jump from admit to classes without “so what” moment

Paucity of capacity for early admission advising

College’s advising team not resourced for recruitment conversations during intense retention efforts

Ergo, the college needed a bridge resource!

• Seattle Colleges employ term “Seattle Pathways” with EDI lens

Washington State Legislature & Guided Pathways appropriation

Pandemic precipitates massive disenrollment across US

• Distance between admission and census day highlighted as key area of opportunity
• Pathways lead team selects Entry Navigator concept for funding

Enrollment management proposal with 13 suggested initiatives

Deliberately called “Entry Specialist” to differentiate from Promise

One role (hired 12/2021) led to two roles (7/2022)

Data, assessment strategy, proof of concept

Demonstrate overwhelming reasons to keep program regardless of Pathways funding

Focus on students needing extra help

Intake Survey

Direct referrals

“I see you need some help”

Enrollment: 56% of students with Navigator vs. 36% gen pop

Placement: 70% of students with Navigator vs 40% gen pop

FAFSA/WASFA: 63% with Navigator vs. 26% gen pop

Retention: 72% with Navigator vs. 78% gen pop (Fall 22 to Winter 23)

Navigator becomes a differentiator for new students

Focus on students forgotten in typical four-year environments

Navigators support students falling out through comms plans

Guided Pathways in admissions funnel = yield becomes persistence

"BUCKY!!!!! I made it into the program! … I really could not have does this without your guidance. You gave me the confidence to get through the dreaded math placement. Every obstacle I had you gave me the information to get through it. I couldn’t not even express how grateful I am for you. Thank you!"