Technology Study in Two-Year Institutions

Introduction

This study examines student services technology implementation, best experiences, and challenges in two-year institutions across the United States.

Goals

1. To understand the implementation of technology in a variety of areas of student services.
2. To examine how effectively the technologies meet staff needs and how easy the technologies are to use.
3. To explore promising practices in student services technology at two-year institutions.
4. To understand primary challenges facing student services professionals in two-year institutions.

Activities

The study consisted of an online survey primarily targeted to Deans or Vice Presidents of Students, Student Affairs, or Student Development. The survey addressed technology implementation, effectiveness, ease of use, promising practices, and challenges in 10 areas of student development, including:

• Admissions and student recruitment
• Financial aid
• Academic placement, orientation, and assistance
• Academic advising
• Registration
• Student email
• Assistive technology for people with disabilities
• Counseling
• Career services
• Student activities

Products:

• Tech Talk: Technology Implementation in Community College Student Services
  • Survey Brief
  • Presentation at the 2006 Annual NCSD Conference

Participating staff: Debra D. Bragg, Julia Panke Makela, Anne Marie Boone

Technology Advisory Committee:
Evelyn Clements, NCSD Past President
Darrow Neves, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, Middlesex Community College
Jim Grigsby, Counseling Services Coordinator, Germanna Community College
Susan Roberts, Registrar, Columbia-Greene Community College (NY)
Gilbert Hermosillo, Dean of Admissions, Assessment & Student Aid, MiraCosta College (CA)
Lori A. Sebranek, Information Coordinator/Systems Integration Analyst, Madison Area Technical       College (WI)
Mike Lopez , Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities       (MN)
Sandra H. Thomas, Ed.D., Director of Support Services, John Wood Community College (IL)
Peg Morelli, Assistant. Dean, Enrollment and Student Services, James A. Rhodes State College (OH)
Henry B. Villareal, Ed.D., Dean of Enrollment Services, College of San Mateo (CA)