Simplifying Complexity in the Student Experience

Simplifying Complexity in the Student Experience

This practitioner packet, based on work CCRC conducted at and with Macomb Community College, is designed to help colleges identify areas where students struggle due to excessive complexity in the academic decision-making process, and to devise and implement relatively low-cost solutions that can improve the student experience.

Part 1 describes data-gathering methods colleges can use to help them understand how students experience intake, orientation, registration, advising, and the overall process of academic decision-making.

Part 2 describes how colleges can use these data to identify areas of confusion and engage stakeholders in devising and implementing solutions.

Part 3 describes how to evaluate redesigned processes and procedures in order to assess their impact and further refine them.

Part 4 is an appendix that includes detailed examples of data collection and project management materials.