Kingsborough Community College selected into the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network; commits to rigorous student success and completion

BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Signifying a strong commitment to student success and completion, Kingsborough Community College is one of 25 institutions selected, this year, into the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network – the nation's most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. Kingsborough Community College will begin immediately to identify strategies to close achievement gaps and increase student retention, persistence, and completion rates.

"Joining the Achieving the Dream important network of community colleges will provide us an exceptional learning opportunity on many levels that will significantly enhance our work with students," said Dr. Regina Peruggi, President of Kingsborough Community College.

"This new cohort of colleges will collectively help 270,000 students succeed," said Beverly Fletcher, Senior Director of Organizational Development and Change for Achieving the Dream. "And the success of each student means much more than just a personal goal secured. It means improved skills, better employability, and economic growth for their community and our nation as a whole."

As an Achieving the Dream Institution, Kingsborough Community College will develop and implement research-based policies and practices based on quantitative and qualitative analyses of its institutional strengths, problem areas, and achievement gaps. Kingsborough Community College is committed to assessing the effectiveness of these policies and practices, institutionalizing the approaches that prove successful, and sharing the findings widely. Through Achieving the Dream, Kingsborough Community College will have the opportunity to learn from other Achieving the Dream Institutions, and receive assistance from experienced practitioners in building a culture of evidence campus-wide, using data to identify problems, setting priorities, and measuring progress toward increasing student success.

The Achieving the Dream 2012 Cohort

"The work of closing achievement gaps and improving student success is extremely difficult and critically important," said Beverly Fletcher, Senior Director of Organizational Development and Change for Achieving the Dream. "Being an Achieving the Dream Institution takes courage, discipline, and a tenacious institution-wide commitment to student success and equity. Kingsborough Community College should be applauded for helping tackle one of society's most daunting challenges: success for more college students."

The Achieving the Dream Model
Each new college will commit to the Achieving the Dream Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. Based on four principles, the Model frames the overall work of helping more students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. Each college will approach the work differently, but Achieving the Dream's five-step process will provide practical guidelines for helping keep the focus where it belongs and building momentum over time. Throughout the process, Achieving the Dream Coaches will offer customized support and help each college's core team implement data-informed programs and policies that build long-term, institution-wide commitment to student success. Learn more about the Model here.

Achieving the Dream is a national nonprofit leading the nation's most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. The Achieving the Dream National Reform Network, including nearly 200 institutions, more than 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams - working throughout 32 states and the District of Columbia - helps 3.75 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.

Kingsborough Community College, Brooklyn's only community college, is ranked as one of the top ten percent in the country.  It is located on a 70-acre campus in Manhattan Beach, on the southern tip of Brooklyn. The breathtaking campus overlooks three bodies of water:  Sheepshead Bay, Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.  It serves approximately thirty thousand students per year, offering a wide range of credit and non-credit courses in liberal arts, career education, and specialized programs.

Contact: Ruby Ryles
Kingsborough Community College
718-368-5543
ruby.ryles@kbcc.cuny.edu

SOURCE Kingsborough Community College