EUGENE, Ore. - Achieving the Dream announced today that Lane Community College is one of 16 community colleges selected for the 2014 cohort of Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges—a national designation awarded to community colleges that commit to improving student success and closing achievement gaps. Lane is the only Oregon college to receive the honor.
"This is an affirmation of Lane's commitment to students and that we're helping students complete their education and succeed at Lane and beyond," said Lane President Mary Spilde. "This wonderful recognition comes just in time for our 50th anniversary year and our seven-year accreditation evaluation."
Achieving the Dream performed an extensive review of specified practice and performance activities. Lane has shown how data can inform policy and practice to help community college students achieve their goals, resulting in improved skills, better employability, and economic growth for families, communities, and the nation as a whole.
Lane was recognized for increasing student success and retention in several ways. For instance, more students are completing writing courses and obtaining credentials; more degrees and certificates are available online; better facilities are available such as the new downtown campus; and other advances.
"The work of improving student success is critically important to our education and economy," said Carol Lincoln, Achieving the Dream Senior Vice President. "Lane has demonstrated that better student outcomes are possible when an institution focuses on policies and practices that help students learn at high levels and overcome challenges life throws at them. Lane is working hard to move the needle for whole cohorts of students, and deserves recognition for its relentless efforts and promising achievements."
The 2014 Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges are:
- Amarillo College (Amarillo, TX)
- Lower Columbia College (Longview, WA)
- East Los Angeles College (Monterey Park, CA)
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (Green Bay, WI)
- Eastern Maine Community College (Bangor, ME)
- Oklahoma City Community College (Oklahoma City, OK)
- Everett Community College (Everett, WA)
- Passaic County Community College (Paterson, NJ)
- Jackson College (Jackson, MI)
- Pierce College (Woodland Hills, CA)
- Jefferson Community and Technical College (Louisville, KY)
- Pierce College (Pierce County, WA)
- Lane Community College (Eugene, OR)
- Richland College (Dallas, TX)
- Los Angeles Harbor College (Wilmington, CA)
- Rose State College (Midwest City, OK)
The 2014 Leader Colleges are making strides in the national movement to increase student completion and close achievement gaps, demonstrating the power of the Achieving the Dream Approach. With the guidance of Achieving the Dream Coaches, colleges not only systemically change the way they operate, but also implement key student supports that align with their overall policies and institutional systems, such as college readiness programs, mandatory new student orientation, student-success courses, developmental course redesign, curriculum redesign, and intensive, individualized advising.
Achieving the Dream grants Leader College designation for three-year cycles. After three years, institutions must undergo a recertification process to maintain Leader College status. Since 2009, Achieving the Dream has granted Leader College status to a total of 79 active Achieving the Dream Institutions.
About Lane Community College—
Lane Community College is the community's college, providing comprehensive, accessible, quality, learning-centered educational opportunities that promote student success. Lane is nationally known for quality academic and workforce training programs, sustainability, partnership and innovation. Founded in 1964, Lane celebrates "50 years of student success" in 2014/15. More information is online at www.lanecc.edu
About Achieving the Dream—
Achieving the Dream, Inc. is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. Evidence-based, student-centered, and built on the values of equity and excellence, Achieving the Dream is closing achievement gaps and accelerating student success nationwide by: 1) guiding evidence-based institutional improvement, 2) leading policy change, 3) generating knowledge, and 4) engaging the public. Conceived as an initiative in 2004 by Lumina Foundation and seven founding partner organizations, today, Achieving the Dream is leading the most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. With over 200 institutions, more than 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams - working throughout 34 states and the District of Columbia – the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network helps nearly 4 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.
Lane is an AA/EEO/Veterans/Disabilities Employer
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