Waubonsee Community College: Illinois HSI uses Title V grant to improve Latine student retention
The Opportunity
As an HSI and a reputable community college in Illinois, equitable degree attainment is at the forefront of Waubonsee Community College’s priorities. To improve outcomes for their Hispanic population — which makes up over 41 percent of their student body — Waubonsee secured Title V funding and launched several initiatives aimed at building resources and community for their Latinx learners. They also shifted from a walk-in advising model to a case management model to bolster support for all students. That’s when Waubonsee decided to take their efforts even further — seeking a partner that could provide an evidence-based support methodology and fuel sustainable change across the institution.
The Opportunity
As an HSI and a reputable community college in Illinois, equitable degree attainment is at the forefront of Waubonsee Community College’s priorities. To improve outcomes for their Hispanic population — which makes up over 41 percent of their student body — Waubonsee secured Title V funding and launched several initiatives aimed at building resources and community for their Latinx learners. They also shifted from a walk-in advising model to a case management model to bolster support for all students. That’s when Waubonsee decided to take their efforts even further — seeking a partner that could provide an evidence-based support methodology and fuel sustainable change across the institution.
The Solution
Waubonsee Community College partnered with InsideTrack from 2021 to 2024 on a three-year staff development and training program that began with a comprehensive review of student supporters' current practices. Following this assessment, 30 staff members underwent Foundational Coach Training to build essential coaching skills, and several staff members went further to obtain specialized certifications that allow them to monitor coaching quality and train their fellow staff members to become coaches. The goal? To catalyze a systemic shift that gives student supporters across the institution a stronghold on coaching and the ability to deliver — and sustain —the best student experience possible.
The Solution
Waubonsee Community College partnered with InsideTrack from 2021 to 2024 on a three-year staff development and training program that began with a comprehensive review of student supporters' current practices. Following this assessment, 30 staff members underwent Foundational Coach Training to build essential coaching skills, and several staff members went further to obtain specialized certifications that allow them to monitor coaching quality and train their fellow staff members to become coaches. The goal? To catalyze a systemic shift that gives student supporters across the institution a stronghold on coaching and the ability to deliver — and sustain —the best student experience possible.
Proven Results
The Impact
By intentionally choosing to invest in their student support — both by changing their advising model and embedding InsideTrack’s holistic coaching methodology — Waubonsee has created a tangible positive impact on student success. Results have included a 5.7% retention rate increase (from 52% to 55%) by shifting from a reactive walk-in advising model to a proactive case management model, and an additional 10.0% retention rate increase (55% to 60%) as a result of staff member training certification in InsideTrack’s coaching methodology.
What’s more, the increases in retention can be seen across student populations, including among Waubonsee’s Latinx learners. After investing in a holistic case-management advising model and embedding InsideTrack’s coaching methodology, Waubonsee saw an increase in Latinx learner retention of 10.9%, from 53.7% to 59.5%. Significant increases in retention have also been seen for Waubonsee’s Black student population (from 35.7% to 49.0%), Asian student population (from 61.3% to 67.5%) and white student population (from 53.7% to 63.0%). According to Dinah Zeiss, Strategic Partnership Director at InsideTrack, “Weaving coaching throughout their advising department and the community as a whole creates a rising tide that lifts all boats.”
The Impact
By intentionally choosing to invest in their student support — both by changing their advising model and embedding InsideTrack’s holistic coaching methodology — Waubonsee has created a tangible positive impact on student success. Results have included a 5.7% retention rate increase (from 52% to 55%) by shifting from a reactive walk-in advising model to a proactive case management model, and an additional 10.0% retention rate increase (55% to 60%) as a result of staff member training certification in InsideTrack’s coaching methodology.
What’s more, the increases in retention can be seen across student populations, including among Waubonsee’s Latinx learners. After investing in a holistic case-management advising model and embedding InsideTrack’s coaching methodology, Waubonsee saw an increase in Latinx learner retention of 10.9%, from 53.7% to 59.5%. Significant increases in retention have also been seen for Waubonsee’s Black student population (from 35.7% to 49.0%), Asian student population (from 61.3% to 67.5%) and white student population (from 53.7% to 63.0%). According to Dinah Zeiss, Strategic Partnership Director at InsideTrack, “Weaving coaching throughout their advising department and the community as a whole creates a rising tide that lifts all boats.”
Dr. Stacey Randall
Executive Dean for Institutional Effectiveness and Title V Project Director, Waubonsee Community College
Dr. Lisa Richardson
Executive Dean for Student Success and Retention, Waubonsee Community College
See how Waubonsee Community College is transforming support across their student body by embedding InsideTrack coaching.
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