The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board honored San Antonio College's "Strategies for Success" as one of eight outstanding programs in the state "for their exceptional contributions toward one or more of the goals of Closing the Gaps by 2015," the higher education plan adopted by the Board to significantly increase Texas colleges' enrollment and retention, particularly among minorities, as well as their research capabilities by the year 2015.

The Alamo Community College District also won a Star Award for its Community Education Centers, which contributed to a 23 percent increase in the district's enrollment from 1999-2001. The eight award-winning programs were selected from 78 originally nominated, with only three awards going to community colleges, four to four-year institutions, and one to a partnership.

"We are very pleased to receive this recognition," said Dr. Robert E. Zeigler, San Antonio College President, who added, "Strategies for Success, coordinated by Emma Mendiola, has a proven track record of motivating and helping students. The program is a key component in our efforts to retain students by improving their skills so they can succeed academically."

Strategies for Success is an intensive counseling-classroom intervention designed to assist students in academic difficulty, aimed at providing students with skills in study techniques, time management, research, critical thinking, learning styles, technology, managing personal issues, and career exploration and planning. The program may be taken voluntarily, on the advice of a counselor, or as a requirement if the student is on scholastic probation.

"The evidence shows that students who go through the Strategies for Success program are more likely to improve academically and stay in college," said Mendiola.

Students on scholastic probation who completed Strategies for Success improved their Grade Point Average (GPA) and also enrolled for the next term in greater numbers than those before the program was available. For example, those who participated in Strategies for Success from Fall 2000-Fall 2002 raised their average GPA from 1.46 to 1.81, with 62 percent enrolling in the next term, compared with those measured prior to the program (Fall 1995-Fall 1997) whose average GPAs decreased from 1.50 to 1.44, with only 45 percent enrolling for the next term.

Mendiola added, "Students who completed Strategies for Success have consistently shown improvement in 10 areas that contribute to academic success as measured by a pre-test and post-test assessment, based on the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory."

For more information about Strategies for Success, contact Emma Mendiola at 733-2805. For information about the Star Award, contact Dr. Rissa Potter at 512-427-6124 or rissa/potter@thecb.state.tx.us.