Student Success Initiative Plan is a roadmap to graduation

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Student Nina Pham, left, works at the Counseling Department, assisting student Tara Whipple to schedule a Student Success Initiative workshop on Thursday, Oct. 14.

Many students at San Jose City College enroll in classes with the misconception that they will spend only two years at a junior college and transfer to a California State University or University of California. Graduation requirements change every year, and many students are not aware of these changes. Students might be confused about what classes to take every semester. Students may not get the classes they need due to late enrollment, so face a waitlist. Priority registration may assist a student with getting the classes that you need to graduate quicker. The Student Success Initiative Plan was passed by the California legislature last year and implemented this year at San Jose City College. This initiative is a program that requires all community colleges in California to have an educational plan in place for all students. “An educational plan not only reduces the possibility of a waitlist by allowing priority registration, a student can organize his or her classes, take the classes they need, graduate on time, and the college receives more funding,” SJCC counselor Carlos Chavez said. More funding and education plans in place together will assist the college in determining the need to hire more counselors, and instructors for weekend and summer classes.
A prerequisite for student to receive an educational plan is to attend a workshop. “Students must attend a workshop to understand processes that affect their educational plan,” SJCC counselor Rachel Hagan said. Workshops teach students the requirements needed to receive priority registration and learn the difference between a California State University and a University of California transfer requirements. “In workshops, the students receive advice from a career counselor about how to stay in good standing, so financial aid will not be affected,” Hagan said. After the workshop the student will meet with a counselor because graduation requirements change every year. For example, if a student is a business major, he or she will meet with a counselor to create an education plan for just the classes he or she needs. If students do not have an education plan they may take unnecessary classes and spend unnecessary money. Students that develop a relationship by meeting with their counselor regularly tend to be better informed about their major and can prepare for their major. Students may need a letter of recommendation. Meeting with a counselor makes it easier because the counselor is familiar with the student. Workshops are available on campus and run approximately an hour and half. Workshops are free. See chart for dates and times of workshop schedules for October and November.

Workshops are offered on weekdays, evenings and Saturdays. Students can just show up.
To see a counselor, go to the counseling center on the 2nd floor of the Student Center. Counseling hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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