Top 10% Again!

For the second year running Snow College has been named in the top 10% of all two-year colleges in America. This recognition by the Aspen Institute is part of the national Community College Excellence program. Snow College is the only honoree in Utah and in its neighboring states of Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Nevada. The recognition is given to those colleges whose students demonstrate high levels of success.

Why is Snow College in the top 10% of its peers in leading students to success? It is really quite easy to explain. It is a result of the longstanding culture of the school. Snow College has an exceptional learning and student support environment. The best research indicates that each of the factors listed below leads to higher rates of student success. The factors include:

1. Academic and Career Advising. The College has the highest advisor-to-student ratio of any institution in the State with one full-time advisor for every 400 students. Additionally, the College has trained its student recruiters/high school relations officers as entry-level advisors who are able to begin academic and career advising with the first contact. The College also has faculty-advisors who focus on specific disciplines.

2. Full-Time Faculty. The College has the highest percentage of classes being taught by full-time faculty in the state—66% of all classes at Snow College are taught by full-time faculty members. The average in the state is 54%. Further contributing to the successful learning environment is the fortunate circumstance that 67% of the Ephraim campus faculty members live within walking distance of the campus.

3. Small Class Size. The average class size is 19 students. A new classroom building was constructed two years ago; all classrooms are intentionally small to help maintain the small class size as part of our culture. Since I mentioned classrooms—we think we have the largest percentage of high-tech classrooms in the state as well.

4. Residential Campus. The College is the most residential college or university in Utah. 90% of the students at the main campus in Ephraim live within walking distance of campus. This year the College is doubling it on-campus housing to provide more close housing opportunities constructed in the manner suggested by the best research. (You probably didn’t know that the type of housing is a factor in student persistent and completion rates.)

5. Extra and Co-Curricular Activities. More than 75% of all college students actively participate in at least one extra-curricular club or organization while at Snow College. Most disciplines offer co-curricular activities.

6. College Preparation Orientation Course. The College offers a fall semester college orientation course for entering freshman. The program connects groups of 25 to 30 students with a faculty or staff mentor, builds networks with fellow students, and involves them in opportunities to learn and experience vital keys to success in academic and student life. Each year at least 70% of the entering freshman class voluntarily enroll in this highly recommended, but not required, one credit course. Two high energy days before the first day of class are followed by weekly meetings in small groups to share tips and insights and create opportunities to link new students to college resources and skills that strengthen their chances of persisting and completing. Internal research indicates that course participants persist, graduate and maintain higher GPAs than their peers who do not participate in the course.

Each of the factors listed above is expensive. The College could increase the percent of adjunct faculty instruction, build larger classroom and increase class size, decrease the number of advisors, or build cheaper housing. But the College understands the importance of this unique environment and maintains it as well as possible.

And we are not satisfied. Faculty and staff members just participated in a multiday workshop with Complete College America in order to get a broader view of how to do even better. We are developing exciting new programs for students with developmental needs in math and English on the one hand and improving opportunities for the highest achieving students on the other. For example, we have revitalized our Honors Program and expanded high-level co-curricular experiences, for example every geology student goes on a field trip.

Life is good here. And getting better.