BLINN HONOR SOCIETY ENCOURAGES PEERS TO EARN THEIR DEGREES

  

Students host week of activities to increase community college completion rate

 

Students of Blinn College – Bryan’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society are impressing on their peers that their experience at the College is more than just a doorway to transfer.

“By the time students are eligible for transfer, in most cases they only need a few credits to earn their associate’s degree,” said David Ramirez, Community College Completion Corps (C4) coordinator for PTK. “Accomplishing that first stepping stone can encourage students to keep striving for excellence. Also, if life happens in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, students already have their associate’s degree to give them a leg up when applying for jobs.”

As part of the annual College Project, a challenge offered to all PTK chapters, Blinn’s Alpha Phi Lambda chapter implemented C4, a national education initiative inspiring students to pledge to complete their associate’s degrees or certificates before transferring or entering the job market.

Raquel Hortia (College Station) stopped by Phi Theta Kappa’s “Commit Event” Wednesday where she committed to completing her associate’s degree at Blinn College.
Raquel Hortia (College Station) stopped by Phi Theta Kappa’s “Commit Event” Wednesday where she committed to completing her associate’s degree at Blinn College.

According to the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), 54 percent of college students work to support themselves or their families, 60 percent of students work at least 20 hours per week and 23 percent have dependent children. The AACC’s studies show that 65 percent of students who drop out of community college plan to return, but only 38 percent do.

PTK students, all of whom carry at least a 3.5 grade point average with at least 12 transferable hours, encouraged their peers to sign a banner indicating that they have committed to completing their associate’s degree or certificate at Blinn. PTK invited students to enjoy free food, music, raffles and a pie-eating contest at a “Commit Event” outside the Student Center. More than 400 students participated.

“Our goal is to educate students on the benefits of earning their associate’s degree before leaving Blinn,” Ramirez said. “Nothing grabs students’ attention like free food. If they weren’t planning on getting their degree here, hopefully they’re thinking about it now.”

The “commit” banners will be hung in the Student Center to serve as a reminder to students.

Incoming students are also being made aware of the C4 initiative during their New Student Orientations (NSOs). PTK students worked with advising and counseling staff in the Spring to sponsor the close of each orientation, offering refreshments and information to incoming students about the benefits of earning a two-year degree or certificate. PTK plans to continue the effort at NSOs next semester.

“Before they even begin college, students are entering with the mindset that they’re going to have earned a degree that can lead to more advanced degrees and better job opportunities,” Ramirez said. “We want students to strive for excellence. This is more than a one-year project. Our goal is to instill the C4 principles into the culture of Blinn College.”

Registration is currently open for Blinn’s Winter minimester and Spring semester. The Winter minimester runs Dec. 19-23 and Jan. 5-15, and registration is available through Dec. 18. Registration for the 16-week Spring semester is open through Jan. 19, with classes beginning Jan. 20. For enrollment information and to learn about financial aid opportunities, visit: www.blinn.edu.

(Story and photo courtesy: Richard Bray, Blinn Information)

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