EAB Tech Pioneer Award

New online system helps students visualize and plan their academic journey

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) was awarded the Technology Pioneer Award last week by EAB, a D.C. education best practices think tank, for improving student success through the use of innovative technologies that enhance academic planning for its students.

Navigate software provides multiple features to assist students

Three CCCS colleges – Arapahoe Community College, Pikes Peak Community College, and Pueblo Community College – piloted the implementation of the platform, called Navigate, that improves students’ academic journey from application to graduation by offering personalized onboarding organized to ensure they meet critical deadlines; enabling them to explore majors and careers that match their interests; and helping them stay on track with smart course selection, scheduling and registration support. The easy-to-use app also connects students with staff, faculty and advisors for individualized support toward achieving their goals.

“This implementation has resulted in examining our processes of student onboarding and advising and helped our focus on guided pathways and other best practices around academic planning,”
CCCS Chief Information Officer Julie Ouska.
Coming to all CCCS colleges for Fall 2019 semester

The accomplishments of the pilot program have laid groundwork for the remaining ten CCCS colleges to pursue. Ahead of the Fall 2019 semester, students will be able to take advantage of this helpful tool as they map out their academic journey at any CCCS college.

When announcing the award, EAB Executive Director Rich Staley noted that CCCS exemplifies “what colleges can achieve with a campus-wide approach to student success, strong leadership, and an unrelenting commitment to helping more students reach their potential.”

Ouska and CCCS Director of Enrollment Services Michael Schulman accepted the Technology Pioneer Award at EAB’s conference in Washington, D.C.

About the Colorado Community College System

The Colorado Community College System is the state’s largest provider of higher education and career training, serving over 137,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 40 locations across the state. With our open access mission, we play a vital role in educating both the emerging and existing workforces, as well as meeting the needs of Colorado’s businesses and communities. The System Office provides leadership, advocacy, and support to member colleges under the direction of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE).

Photo above: CCCS Chief Information Officer Julie Ouska (right) and Director of Enrollment Services Michael Schulman (center) accept the 2018 Technology Pioneer Award in Washington, D.C.