Research - Growing Inland Achievement

Student-generated solutions are a critical component of equitable institutional transformation. GIA has undertaken numerous student voice research studies using an innovative multimodal cognitive method designed by Dr. Yvonne Olivares, which are generating valuable insights and actionable recommendations. We encourage you to take some time to explore and act on the insights found below.

Student Voice Research Findings and Recommendations by Topic Area


TECHNOLOGY • Many students do not own “their own” laptops (they share or borrow) • There is no single-best communication mode for all students, not even a single-best mode for any given student all the time • College office hrs. overlap students’ work hrs
	Student Recommendation	GP Pillars	Student Success Factors (RP Group)	Potential Campus Partners
	Allow for multiple modes of communication •Video chat with file & screen sharing function •Call-in option •Email for simple questions •Instant messaging	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Connected	All
	Create and include step-by-step tutorials on how to access any student service and including technology needed (app, OS, browser)	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Connected	All
ACCESS TO INFORMATION • Even students with laptops rely heavily on mobile due to conflicting demands; mobile is primary • Although information is available online, information is difficult to find • Students miss appointments due to wrong app and/or incompatible browsers and as a result are often blocked from scheduling additional appointments
	Student Recommendation	GP Pillars	Student Success Factors (RP Group)	Potential Campus Partners
	User-friendly websites optimized for mobile	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Directed Focused	All
	College mobile app that allows students to search for the information and resources they need	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Directed Focused	All
	Consistent software and apps across the college to create more consistent online services experience	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Directed Focused	All
	Guidance on using/saving multiple passwords	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Directed Focused	All
COUNSELING • Students who know their major in advance of seeing a counselor are more likely to report a positive experience • Poor experiences often stem from students not being given or not understanding how to access resources mentioned by counselor (Students are unable to recall info after meeting and do not know how to access counselor notes in apps like Starfish)
	Student Recommendation	GP Pillars	Student Success Factors (RP Group)	Potential Campus Partners
	Have counselor recommendations documented where students can readily review	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Directed Focused	Counselors
	Provide more detailed guidance on how to access additional resources such as Major Requirement sheets	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Directed Focused	Counselors
	Allow for advance scheduling	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Directed Focused	Counselors
	Have more evening and weekend appointments	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Directed Focused	Counselors
ONLINE LEARNING • Students with luxury of time/tech waste time navigating the differently designed courses • Those without time/tech miss resources/assignments becasue they cannot find them
	Student Recommendation	GP Pillars	Student Success Factors (RP Group)	Potential Campus Partners
	Create standards and templates for instructors to follow that provide consistency across courses	Staying on the Path Ensuring Learning	Directed Focused	Department Chairs/Deans
	Canvas notifications for: •New assignments posted •Assignment is coming due •Zoom meeting (with link and password) •Group messages •Any other relevant course information	Staying on the Path Ensuring Learning	Directed Focused	Instructors
	Consistent notifications across courses/interfaces	Staying on the Path Ensuring Learning	Directed Focused	Instructors
	Zoom meetings should have new announcement with link EVERY TIME	Staying on the Path Ensuring Learning	Directed Focused	Instructors
	Instructor office hours should be posted in online environment	Staying on the Path Ensuring Learning	Directed Focused	Instructors
CAREER EXPLORATION • Students base major/career decision on limited information • Students rely on google/youtube on hot/top/popular jobs • Many students are not aware of their suitability (e.g., personality fit, skills) or feel pressured to begin earning immediately • Students want to both be able to find major/career information themselves (self-guided) and have access to guided support
	Student Recommendation	GP Pillars	Student Success Factors (RP Group)	Potential Campus Partners
	Guided: Provide more opportunities for career exploration.	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Career Services
	Guided: Mandatory counseling 2-3 times per semester	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Counselors
	Guided: Counselors specializing in major/career fields	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Counselors Career Services
	Guided: GenEd courses support increasing knowledge of career options	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Instructors Career Services
	Guided: Internships	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Career Services
	Guided: Broaden career assessment to include: •Skills analysis •Hobbies/interest •Personality •Job market	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Career Services
	Self-Guided: Increase self-guided career information and assessment with website, app, and Canvas career information that includes: •Major/career requirements •Potential careers they can pursue with the major/career •Skills students can expect to develop in major/career •Pertinent personality requirements for major/career •Major /career-based student groups •Workshops and seminars speciﬁc to field of study	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Career Services
	Self-Guided: Host an annual major/career fair	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Career Services
	Self-Guided: Provide opportunities for students to hear professional speakers	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Career Services
	Self-Guided: Require students to attend activities that teach about campus opportunities and support systems	Entering the Path	Directed Focused	Career Services
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT • Students feel left out/isolated and do not have regular groups or activities on their campuses • Students rely on external groups for creating a sense of belonging • Campus activities limited to annual or special events
	Student Recommendation	GP Pillars	Student Success Factors (RP Group)	Potential Campus Partners
	Utilize communication tools such as •Weekly email •Regularly updated webpage •College-specific app •Canvas links to offer broader outreach about information on groups, events and activities were happening around campus and HOW to participate	Staying on the Path	Nurtured Engaged Connected	All
	Create and offer student groups that are topic- or group- specific including: •Ethnicity-based, service oriented: to provide support and geared toward serving a greater purpose (i.e. service-related or volunteer org) •Professional: related to courses, major, and/or career – Direct such as business, medical – Indirect such as writing groups •Personal interests such as bowling, basketball, dating, poetry •Mental health: professional or peer to peer to talk with others about their struggles during COVID-19 (students open to digital i.e. chat rooms)	Staying on the Path	Nurtured Engaged Connected	All
	Spotlights on fellow Black/African American students and their accomplishments as a reminder they are not alone.	Staying on the Path	Nurtured Engaged Connected	All
CAMPUS STATE • Students are differentially impacted by pandemic (e.g. female Latinx students more likely to report un/underemployment) • Students lack awareness that “support” is possible • New pandemic-specific responsibilities (e.g., managing children’s online education and their own simultaneously) are extremely difficult • College office hours conflict students’ work hours
	Student Recommendation	GP Pillars	Student Success Factors (RP Group)	Potential Campus Partners
	Look for ways to offer “support” proactively (rather than waiting for students to ask) AND avoid using term “help” as many highest need students are uncomfortable with the term	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Connected Focused	All
	Provide mental health professionals or peer-to-peer to talk about their struggles exasperbated by COVID-19	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Connected Focused	Student Services
	Create positive experiences for students that normalize support-seeking behavior by providing caring, consistent, reliable, and easy-to-use support	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Connected Focused	All
	Continue all possible online service option post-pandemic	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Connected Focused	All
	Provide professional development for all campus constituents to maximize the functionality of technology (i.e. Zoom, Canvas…)	Entering the Path Staying on the Path	Connected Focused	Professional Development Committee

Category: Research

GIA INSIGHTS — A Collaborative, Regional Response to COVID-19: Preserving the Educational Future of Students in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties

Inland Empire Guided Pathways Student Voice

Student Voice Research Findings and Recommendations by Topic Area