STUDENT SUCCESS AND SUPPORT PROGRAM

The Student Success and Support Program (SSSP) restructures the way student support services are delivered to improve the assistance that students receive at the beginning of their educational experience. The goal of the SSSP Specialists is to improve access to orientation, assessment, education planning services and to create proactive partnerships with at-risk students. Students who complete orientation, assessment and an education plan will receive priority registration. Priority registration provides you an earlier date to enroll in classes, allowing you the best opportunity to get into the classes you need.

Student Success Specialists

• connect students to appropriate campus information & services
• connect with students to support retention and completion
• connect students to core services (orientation, assessment and education planning)

CORE SERVICES

 As part of the SSSP goal, Specialists are here to connect students with the following core services. To create improved access to MJC, we are partnering with most high schools within our service area to provide the following core services at their locations.  A series of New Student Days will also be hosted to allow new students time to complete core services, and to receive assistance with registration.

Orientation: MJC offers orientations both online and face to face. This core service is intended to provide you the information necessary to start you on the path to success. It provides a clear picture of college requirements, your rights as a student, and the responsibilities we all hold in our partnership for student success. You will also learn about the support services available to help you achieve your dream.

Assessment: Assessment is the process through which a student’s skill level in a particular subject area is measured through standardized testing using multiple measures for the purpose of placement into MJC courses. These tests are intended to measure skills which research has shown to be closely related to academic success. In combination with other measures, test results represent student strengths and capabilities. IMPORTANCE OF THE assessment process Math and English or English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) assessments are required of ALL STUDENTS who are completing courses to earn an associate degree, certificate, transfer to a university, to improve job skills, career development, or who are undecided; as well as students who have completed at least 15 units, regardless of their goal. There is no pass or fail, and these tests do not determine admission to the college. The results are used to assist counselors and students in selecting the appropriate level of course work. Students are encouraged to discuss test results with a counselor prior to registration. The MJC Testing Center web page provides you the information you need to schedule your test.

Educational Planning allows for a new student to be directed and focused at the onset of their education. An abbreviated educational plan (AEP) is required for new students with less than 15 units completed. An AEP will guide you through your first two semesters. A comprehensive educational plan (CEP) defines all of your degree or certificate requirements, informing your course selection and pathway to success.  We encourage students to use MJC’s counseling and career services to help set and reach educational and career goals. We also encourage students to build relationships with faculty who teach in their areas of interest. Faculty advisors can provide students with the information, support and guidance to help them reach their goals. Please 

Follow up for at-risk students: Counselors and Student Success Specialists receive referrals (both self- and faculty-initiated) to follow-up with students who are experiencing academic difficulty.  The Specialists contact students to provide information about core service completion status, and assistance in accessing counseling and other services. The aim of the work of the Success Specialists is to create a proactive partnership with students, to strengthen connections between students and counselors, financial aid staff, and disciplinary faculty that can provide advisement. An ongoing proactive partnership will be created between counselors, faculty, specialists, and students; intended to foster success and retention by connecting the student to the college and to resources. If you would like to partner with the SSSP team for your success, contact a Student Success Specialist. Each Specialist serves different academic areas for your convenience. If you have not yet decided on a major, you may call any of our Specialists.

Service Area Outcomes (SAO)

1. Students will complete orientation, assessment testing, and student educational planning.

Support Service Learning Outcomes (SSLO) 

1. Students will be able to complete core steps after meeting with a Student Success Specialist.
2. Students will show increased knowledge of student support services on campus after meeting with a Student Success Specialist.