Howard Community College

"At HCC, increasing completion exemplifies our mission of providing pathways to success," said Hetherington. "The data now proves that our innovative approach is working. Evidence of student success abounds throughout the college." One thing is certain: there's no single type of community college student, and there's no single solution to improving completion. HCC's faculty and staff and their focus on innovation, creativity, and data-driven solutions will be what guides more and more students to completion and a pivotal role in Maryland's economic future. Innovation Counts Since intensifying its focus on completion, HCC is seeing results. The number of students graduating has seen steady year-over-year increases. In May 2017, more than 1,300 students received an associate degree or certificate. Looking more broadly across a seven- year period, the college's graduation rate has increased a record 92 percent—the highest percentage increase among all of Maryland's 16 community colleges. to the survey, employers cited internship experience within the hiring organization as the top factor influencing their decision when choosing between two otherwise equally qualified candidates, followed closely by internship experience within the organization's industry. "While a student's college degree, grade point average, and coursework are important, they are not entirely sufficient with regard to what employers are seeking from recent college graduates," said Dave Tirpak, associate director of career and employment counseling. "Employers are looking to find the right candidate out of a sea of people with similar credentials. Students need additional experiences, in their field of interest, to enhance their prospects for employment." When it comes to helping students secure internships, there are many steps and partners in the process. That includes outreach to employers, who are often eager to offer internships—after all, they obtain qualified, cost-effective, and motivated workers. Employers can also evaluate potential long-term employees without long-term commitments, and organizations benefit from an intern's new perspectives, energy, and familiarity with new technologies. Faculty members are another key collaborator in the internship process. HCC's career center maintains an online job and internship database, where students, employers, and faculty can access the system to view employment and internship opportunities. Career center staff reach out to designated faculty members when internships are posted in their area, and faculty like Del Rosario play an essential role in mentoring students. Since 2015, staff and interns in the career center have interacted with more than 3,000 students, contributing to increased awareness of the importance of internships. And more students are embracing the opportunity to be an intern. From 2014–2017, the number of HCC students who completed internships jumped by 164 percent. In the end, internships are one more tool aimed at increasing student completion. As Tirpak has experienced, "Students who perform internships or work experiences tend to take their academic work seriously, and have a heightened awareness that they are working toward a career path." 92% HCC completion rate increase over a seven-year period t Chastity Carter, HCC student Spring 2018 | Pathways 11

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