Colleges need legislative support to help transfer students attain 4-year degrees
For many Washington residents, particularly in underserved areas, the path to a four-year baccalaureate education and greater social mobility often begins in our community college system. But too few of the students who enter community college intending to get a bachelor’s degree ever do.
Western Washington University in Bellingham and Olympic College, which serves Kitsap and Mason counties, are determined to tackle this persistent problem. Our two institutions are the first in the state to have been selected by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program to participate in a program designed to improve the practices and policies associated with equitable transfer student success.
Based on a recent labor market analysis by the Washington Roundtable, it is estimated that employers will add 373,000 net new jobs in Washington state over the next five years. The state’s anticipated annual job growth rate of 2.1% will far outpace the national rate of 1.3%. Most of these jobs — an estimated 70% — will be filled by workers with a post-high school credential. Washington employers want to hire local talent to fill these positions whenever possible and it’s essential that our citizens are ready.
Even before the pandemic, however, too few of Washington’s working-age population, particularly people of color and those from low-income backgrounds, were enrolling in postsecondary education and completing credentials.
Based on estimates for the high school class of 2019, 43% of Washington students are expected to earn a credential by age 26. According to the Washington Roundtable, there is a 27-point gap between economic demand for credentials and the rate of actual attainment.
Of significant concern, the postsecondary enrollment rate for Washington high school graduates has continued to stagnate or decline for more than a decade, and the pandemic has only worsened the trend.
To address this gap, WWU has introduced a Guaranteed Transfer Admission program for any transfer student who completes a transferable associate’s degree at OC or Peninsula College in Port Angeles and meets basic eligibility requirements.
Next, we must insure that all students are given the same level of support, and that they are aware of the pathway to a four-year degree from their first day of study, so that they can set it as an attainable goal. Then, our advising processes must provide the necessary guideposts to keep students on track to their goals.
Most importantly, we must do all we can to help traditionally underserved students with the cost of attending college, and provide the infrastructure to support their pathways to success. This means getting to know each and every student — not just their names but their interests, circumstances and challenges.
During the 2022 supplemental session, the Washington State Legislature can help our state’s colleges and universities by:
Expanding dual-credit and dual-enrollment opportunities, providing direct support to students, and funding regional inclusive student success initiatives, such as those between WWU and OC, aimed at expanding pathways to and through post-high school education and training.
Supporting financial aid outreach initiatives.
Building and expanding career-connected learning opportunities.
Ensuring funds for student success and learning recovery are directed to students most impacted by the pandemic.
WWU and OC have worked together for years to increase access to high quality education on the peninsulas, one of the most underserved parts of our state. Building on that foundation will require new ways of preparing, attracting, and supporting students to and through postsecondary education.
Sabah Randhawa is president of Western Washington University. Marty Cavalluzzi is president of Olympic College.
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 5:00 AM.