Beyond 12: Cohorts

Project Description

A simulated virtual walkthrough experience that helps increase first-generation students’ confidence levels. Making sure that they are assisted properly in order to align their educational goals, with their career goals.

Problem

First-generation students at community colleges encounter issues with having proper assistance in making informed educational decisions for their future career goals. There were hurdles to overcome in a time when all education is done online. But due to some of these constraints, we were able to attempt to find a better solution that would become helpful, both in person and virtually. So how might we help first-generation students align their educational goals with their career goals?

Insights

-Sense of belonging is difficult for first-year students -Counselors don’t get enough time with their students -Stuff being available, does not mean it is accessible -Intrusive counseling approach can help with student confidence

Solutions

We simulated a virtual walkthrough experience with google street view as well as zoom for students that have never physically been to Santa Monica College. This virtual walkthrough experience was able to provide students with highly needed information about services housed within the school campus, while also introducing them to other students that would also be attending school at the same time. We made sure to provide an initial touchpoint introducing the Beyond 12 mentor and agenda, as well as a follow-up email detailing more information about the topics discussed as well as future events. In the end, we were able to increase average student confidence levels from 2.3 out of 5 to 4.6 out of 5.