Calhoun president says graduation rates up sharply

Published 7:51 pm Friday, March 2, 2018

Calhoun Community College had increased its graduation rates by more than 92 percent since 2014, an official said Friday.

School President Dr. James Klauber revealed the information during Calhoun’s spring professional development program.

“We are extremely excited with these recent graduation rates,” he said. “There has been a college-wide commitment by our employees to increase our graduation rates, and the hard-work and diligence exhibited by our team is clearly evident in the significant increase we now see.”

According to data provided by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems (IPEDS), Calhoun’s three-year graduation rates have increased from 13 percent in 2014 to 25 percent for 2017.

Specific strategies implemented to increase Calhoun’s graduation rates include assigned advisors for students; streamlining the admissions process; promoting the importance of regular class attendance; and implementing strategies established as part of the College’s designation as an “Achieving the Dream” institution.

According to information provided by Calhoun’s Institutional Research office, the most significant increases programmatically are in the college’s Advanced Manufacturing program, which produces graduates who are employed with such companies as Toyota, Polaris and Carpenter.

Additionally, significant rate increases have been realized with students graduating with Associate of Science degrees in General Studies, preparing these students to successfully pursue bachelor’s degrees from four-year colleges and universities.

Just as noteworthy, rates for male students experienced an overall increase of over 38 percent. Rates were particularly impressive among male students of color: African-American males increased over 100 percent and American Indian/Alaska Native males by more than 40 percent. Additionally, graduation rates among Hispanic/Latino females almost quadrupled, increasing by more than 250 percent.

Today’s event at Calhoun coincides with National Employee Appreciation Day. In recognition of the day and the announcement on graduation rates, a special resolution from the Alabama legislature, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, was presented during the program. Additionally, the group was treated to a rousing performance by the Huntsville Drumline.