1. Student Engagement at Orange Coast College
FLEX Day, August 27, 2017
Presented by: Kelly Holt and Sheri Sterner

2. OVERVIEW What is student engagement? Why is it important?
Engagement at OCC
Discussion: What can OCC do to improve student engagement?

3. What is student engagement?
The degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that students show when they are learning or being taught, which extends to the level of motivation they have to learn and progress in their education (Glossary of Educational Reform)
One of the most inescapable and unequivocal conclusions we can make is that the impact of college is largely determined by the individual’s quality of effort and level of involvement in both academic and non-academic activities (Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991)
Pascarella, E. T. & Terenzini, P. T. (1991) How college affects students: Findings and insights from twenty years of research. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

4. Why is it important? Large volume of research points to ….
Increased levels of academic and social integration lead to greater commitment of the institution and to the goal of graduation
Increased likelihood students will persist and graduate
Faculty-student interaction huge influence
Viewed as one of the most important factors in student retention, persistence and success
In-class engagement
Outside of class engagement
Highly successful with underprepared and diverse student groups
Kuh, D., Kinzie, J., Buckley, J.A., Bridges, B.K., and Hayek, J.C. (2006). What matters to student success: A review of the literature. National Postsecondary Education Cooperative.
Retrieved from:

5. Prevailing thoughts on student engagement
Student involvement with the institution is paramount
Student perception of the institution caring is essential
Education, not retention, should be the goal
Consistent with “value added” and “institution focused” models of change
Moves away from “deficit minded” approaches
Central to supporting equity
Institutional retention activities should be systematic
Institutional policies & practices influence levels of engagement on campus

6. Engagement @ OCC How do we measure engagement?
CCSSE engagement defined by five main constructs - benchmark areas
Community College Student Survey of Engagement (CCSSE)
Active & Collaborative Learning
Most prominent and well-known student engagement survey in the nation
Student Effort
Academic Challenge
OCC conducts every other year (2014, 2016, 2018 – next)
Student-Faculty Interaction
Support for Learners
Representative sample by CCSSE
Administered in-class

7. CCSSE Benchmarks
Active and Collaborative Learning: Students collaborating with others to solve problems or master challenging content
How often have you asked questions in class?
Worked with classmates outside of class to prepare assignments?
Student Effort: Student’s own behaviors which contribute to their learning and success
How often have you come to class without completing readings/assignments?
How many hours do you spend preparing for class?
Academic Challenge: The nature and amount of assigned academic work, the complexity of cognitive tasks presented to students, and the rigor used to evaluate student performance
How much has OCC encouraged you to spending significant amounts studying?
Rate the extent to which your examinations have challenged you to do you best work.

8. CCSSE Benchmarks
Student-Faculty Interaction: Students’ Personal interaction with faculty members
How often have you received prompt feedback from instructors on your performance?
How often have you discussed grades or assignments with an instructor?
Support for Learners: College resources cultivate positive relationships and provide services targeted to assist students with academics and other areas that affect learning
How much does OCC provide the support you need to help you succeed?
How much does OCC provide the financial support you need to afford your education?

9. OCC & Comparison Groups
OCC Cohort: N = 913 students across 53 sections
Ex-Large Colleges – National Cohort: N = 82,150 students across 76 institutions
15,000 students or more
CCSSE – National Cohort: N = 433,375 students across 701 community and technical colleges
Data from

10. CCSSE Results – 2016 All benchmark scores are standardized
National Cohort is standardized at 50 across all benchmarks
Highest rated benchmark for OCC
Academic Challenge
Lowest rated benchmark for OCC
Student-Faculty Interaction
OCC performed lower in all benchmarks compared to XL colleges and the national cohort
OCC’s target was to reach the XL colleges cohort score (OCC Core Indicator)

11. CCSSE Results - 2014 & 2016 Comparison
Benchmarks showing improvement
Active & Collaborative Learning
Student Effort
Academic Challenge
Benchmarks not showing improvement
Student-Faculty Interaction
Support for Learners

12. Engagement @ OCC: Educational Master Plan 2016-2021
Purposeful shift in college values (C-L-A-S-S) towards student and employee engagement
College Goal – Student & Employee Engagement: Promote active and collaborative participation leading to meaningful connections among people, places and ideas within the College.
Objective 1: Create structured opportunities for student engagement within curriculum, co- curricular activities and service learning opportunities.
Objective 2: Develop programs to promote faculty and student interaction, along with team and community building that advances the mission of the College.
Objective 3: Support the development of students and employees as individuals, and as community members.

13. What can OCC do to improve student engagement?
Let’s get into groups of 3-5
Rules - Listen, respect everyone’s opinion & don’t dominate
Take a few minutes to review the CCSSE Infographic
Each person one turn, left to right (5 minutes)
Share any ideas you had as the data was being presented
Final – report out key ideas

14. Engagement at OCC In-class Outside of class
Institutional policies & practices

15. High-Impact Practices & Questions
It’s Time to Redesign……..