2013-14 SASI Innovation Awards
Since Fall 2011, PCC’s Board of Trustee has provided faculty with funds to help the college achieve its Educational Master Plan (EMP) Project 90 goals in five achievement areas: Transfer, AA/AS degrees, AA/AS STEM degrees, CTE certificates, and Basic Skills sequence completion.
The Student Access and Success Initiative (SASI) provides a structure and process for individual faculty as well as division, department, and cross-disciplinary groups to develop, implement, and evaluate new and innovative educational projects that will help the college reach its Project 90 goals.
In 2013-14 SASI is funding several ongoing projects that have proven to be effective in helping students succeed:
Watch the SASI 2013-14 Report video
First Year Pathways (Math Jam, Coaching, & One Book, One College)
The First Year Pathways were created to help students transition smoothly from high school to college and succeed in their first year of college. Math Jam provides an extended orientation to college. First Year coaches advise and mentor FYP students. One Book, One College engages the community on and off campus with reading clubs, discussions, and lectures based on a book selection. Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in a first year pathway in 2013-14.
- Total: $250,000
- EMP Critical Priorities addressed: A, B, D, E, G, K
- Lead: Brock Klein
International Student Pathway (ISP)
ISP personnel are using SASI funds to develop marketing materials, grow the iJam program, and provide support for international students from summer orientation through their first year of college. ISP will serve approximately 600 students in 2013-14. The goal is to scale up over the next several years to meet the Board of Trustees goal of 2,000 international students.
- Total: $140,000
- EMP Critical Priorities addressed: A, B, D, E, G, K
- Co-Leads: Russ Frank and Amy Cheung
Non-STEM Math Curriculum Redesign (SLAM)
Funds are being used to provide professional learning, reassignment, stipends, workshops, and supplies to support the implementation of the Math Division’s new non-STEM math sequence of two courses with innovative curriculum & pedagogy. The curriculum is being piloted in eight sections in Fall 2013 and ten in Spring 2014.
- Total: $152,000
- EMP Critical Priorities addressed: A, B, D, E
- Co-Leads: Linda Hintzman and Roger Yang
English Acceleration/Stretch Project (STACC)
SASI funds are being used to develop new English curriculum and provide professional learning aimed at helping basic skills English students complete their courses in a timely manner. Approximately twenty sections are being piloted in Fall 2013 and Spring 2014.
- Total: $150,000
- EMP Critical Priorities addressed: A, B, C, D, E
- Co-Lead: Elsie Rivas-Gomez and Kirsten Ogden
Academy for Professional Learning (APL)
The Academy of Professional Learning is dedicated to creating a wide range of professional learning opportunities for faculty, staff and managers at the instructional, personal and organizational levels. The goal is to inform all employees of upcoming activities, provide the logistical support necessary for programs to create their own professional development, and offer meaningful professional learning in a variety of formats including face-to-face, hybrid and on-line seminars, workshops and shared reading experiences.
- Total: $250,000
- EMP Critical Priorities addressed: A, B, C, D, E, J
- Co-Leads: Shelagh Rose, AC Panella, and Valerie Foster
SASI Evaluation
Funds will support evaluation of all the 2013-14 projects.
- Total: $15,000
- EMP Critical Priorities addressed: A, B, D, E, K
