Harper College's REACH program earns national recognition

Jasmine Wilson is quick to admit how unfocused and unmotivated she was after graduating from high school. She didn't dream much about the future, let alone have a plan for it. Then she got wind of the REACH Summer Bridge program, which offers new students who place into developmental classes a leg up on their first year at Harper College.

During the free, two-week program, she attended faculty-led workshops to work on her reading, writing, math and computer skills. She developed study and test-taking techniques that were previously foreign to her. And she took part in various activities that helped her feel empowered as a minority on campus and in society.

"I can't imagine where I'd be without REACH," Jasmine says. "I know I would've been so lost. The program helped give me focus and open my eyes. It showed me I had to get my stuff together. The realities of college were coming whether I liked it or not."

Jasmine went on to successfully complete credit courses in math and English. She also discovered a passion for early childhood education.

"The people I met through REACH helped connect me to Harper's preschool," Jasmine says. "I got a job there and I realized that I absolutely love working with kids."

Stories like Jasmine's are possible due to Harper's ongoing strategy to reduce the number of students in need of developmental education, and to properly support those who do. In REACH (Retention Efforts for Academic Completion at Harper), 77 percent of students increased their placement scores after retesting, and retention rates consistently top 90 percent.

Achieving the Dream, a national reform network dedicated to helping more community students stay in school and earn a certificate or degree, took notice. The nonprofit organization selected Harper for its 2016 Leah Meyer Austin Award, which each year recognizes one Achieving the Dream institution that demonstrates outstanding achievement in creating policies, practices and a culture of equity and excellence in support of student success.

"Harper College's willingness to make sweeping changes in its operations and culture have led to substantial improvements in student success," said Achieving the Dream President and CEO Dr. Karen A. Stout. "Harper's achievements show what is possible at community colleges all across the country."

The award comes with a $25,000 prize to support Harper's ongoing student success efforts.

Harper College President Dr. Ken Ender said the improvement Harper has shown is a strong start, but just that - a start. He didn't mince words at Achieving the Dream's annual meeting, which brings together nearly 2,000 influential policymakers, investors, thought-leaders and practitioners from around the world.

"We are incredibly pleased and absolutely not satisfied," he said.