San Antonio College Honors Academy Program

Institution:

San Antonio College

State:

Texas

Academic Level:

Associate

Issue Area:

Academic Program

Program Focus:

College Prep, Honors

Website:

https://www.alamo.edu/sac/honors-academy/

Key Personnel:

Laurie Coleman

Contact Info:

lcoleman@alamo.edu | 210.486.0663

Overview

The San Antonio College Honors Academy Program provides underserved community college students—a majority of whom are Latino—honors-designated core courses, comprehensive academic services, one-on-one guidance by dedicated professors/advisors, scholarship and transfer support. The Honors Academy Program seeks to increase the number of underserved students who receive an associate degree and transfer to a four-year university.

Program Description

Established in 2012, the Academy was founded to replace the former honors program that served just a few dozen students. In 2012, the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund awarded a 3-year grant to support a new focus on recruiting a larger, more diverse population of students, particularly those in neighboring inner-city, at-risk Title I/III schools which are 60-90% Latino.

The Academy offers specialized honors curriculum centered on identity, communication, teamwork, marketable skills, critical thinking, and research. Participants receive intrusive advising/mentoring that emphasizes clear pathways to graduation/transfer and are offered workshops on transfer admissions, career choice, stress/time management, scholarships, and internships. Aside from taking honors-designated core subject courses to earn honors course equivalencies, students can complete semester-long experiential learning opportunities.

Participants also have access to an Honors Center with study space, 20 computers, a printer, lounge area, kitchenette, and faculty offices for advising and engagement. The Academy also offers a Strategies for Success course emphasizing time management, grit, fluid intelligence, and goal setting for participants whose GPA falls below 3.25.

Outcome

Increased 3-year graduation: Of the Academy’s Fall 2016 cohort, 42% of program participants graduated in 3 years compared to only 28% of non-program participants. Of the Academy’s Fall 2015 cohort, 49% of program participants graduated in 3 years compared to only 29% of non-program participants.
Increased 6-year transfer: Of the Academy’s Fall 2013 cohort, 46% of program participants transferred within 6 years compared to the institutional average of 30%. Of the Academy’s Fall 2012 cohort, 73% of program participants transferred within 6 years compared to the institutional average of 30%.