By Zach Lewis, associate dean, and Dr. Fermin Ornelas, senior research analyst
In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, institutions are constantly seeking innovative ways to support student success. At Rio Salado College, we found ourselves faced with the challenge of identifying students in need of intervention before stopping out, and off-the-shelf analytics solutions did not meet the needs of our learners. To address this challenge, we developed our own analytics tool that would empower our staff to assist and support our specific student population.
This journey led us to the creation of RioPACT (Persistence and Completion Tracking), a predictive analytics tool designed to assess a student's likelihood of persisting and continuing their studies. The RioPACT model analyzes three key areas: student course engagement, academic success and momentum, and select demographic characteristics. It's a tool that enables us to identify students who may need additional support and provide that information to student-facing staff to intervene at the right moment in order to keep students on the path to degree or certification completion.
While commitment to student success and innovation is not new for Rio Salado, the college’s student body required a different approach. The majority of Rio’s learners are nontraditional: over 80 percent of our students attend part-time, nearly half are first-generation college students, and 40 percent have previously attempted higher education without success. The average student age is above 25 and we know many of our students are carrying additional responsibilities as caregivers and workers. We were determined to create a solution to meet the needs of our students, and were able to leverage data captured in our in-house systems and applications to build a model attuned to Rio’s specific learner dynamics.
When the data model was initially developed, early results were highly promising, with a predictive accuracy rate of nearly 75 percent. RioPACT's value, however, went beyond just the statistical significance and our early pilot underscored the potential for the tool. We first worked with the Office of Disability Resources and Services (DRS) last fall to further understand how to put the RioPACT to use. The 73 students who were identified as at higher risk for stopout by RioPACT received interventions and additional support from DRS. When we reviewed student outcomes in the spring semester, over 52 percent of students who received treatment in the pilot persisted compared to 44 percent of students who did not receive any intervention. This was just a small sample of what could be achieved, but provided promising evidence that we were creating something that could have a much larger impact on our students.
As we move forward, we're refining RioPACT and optimizing data capture to provide even better insights and just-in-time services to our students. We’re scaling with a broader pilot this fall with the Office of Academic Advisement to not only provide intervention to more students, but collect more data to evaluate, refine, and extend the tool. We’re also participating in a research fellowship with The Strategic Data Project to further enrich our skills in data analytics and collaborate with like-minded researchers.
The RioPACT project isn't just about improving student success at Rio Salado College; it's about making a lasting impact on the broader higher education community. We're excited to share our findings and publish our work, knowing that it has the potential to benefit students and institutions far beyond our own.
In the end, RioPACT represents the power of innovation, dedication, and a commitment to student success. It's a reflection of Rio Salado College's mission to redefine the educational experience by anticipating the needs of our students.
Receiving the 2023 WOW Award from WCET for RioPACT is a remarkable honor. It signifies that WCET values the ability of community colleges like ours to generate valuable, homegrown solutions. This recognition encourages us to continue taking the lead in shaping our educational landscape.