Creating Pathways: Preparing Students for Career and Workforce Success at Delta College

At Delta College, the journey toward student success is deeply intertwined with mentorship. As a public two-year college in Michigan, Delta College is committed to imparting academic knowledge and fostering personal development among its diverse student body. With approximately 15,000 students enrolled, 69% of whom are first-generation college attendees and 85% coming from low-income families, the college places significant emphasis on empowering learners, particularly in its career and technical education programs. 

A Commitment to Mentorship

Since 2015, Delta College has implemented several smaller mentorship programs, each demonstrating consistent improvements in retention and student success. However, the college struggled to scale these initiatives to benefit the broader student population. The 2022 data highlighted the urgent need for a scalable solution to effectively support students, affirming that while mentorship had proven effective, expanding these programs would require new strategies.

After careful consideration and securing the necessary funding, Delta College chose to partner with Mentor Collective. Shelly Raube, Vice President of Student Empowerment and Success, reflects on this partnership, stating, “Every decision we make at Delta keeps our students at the center, and this one was no different. We anticipated a positive impact, but the improvements in retention and student success within the first year have exceeded my expectations."

Every decision we make at Delta keeps our students at the center, and this one was no different. We anticipated a positive impact, but the improvements in retention and student success within the first year have exceeded my expectations.

- Shelly Raube, Vice President of Student Empowerment and Success, Delta College

This commitment to mentorship has positioned Delta College to create meaningful pathways for student success and foster an environment where every learner feels valued and supported.

Innovative Solutions 

Delta College partnered with Mentor Collective to launch a comprehensive mentorship program designed to leverage the experiences of peer mentors—students who have completed 12 or more credit hours. Initially targeting career and technical education students, where equity gaps in completion and success rates had been identified, the program expanded to include adult learners and students identifying as Black/African American and/or Hispanic/Latino.

By incorporating feedback from mentees, Delta College recognized the need to shift its model and include peer mentors, ultimately creating a cycle of mentorship where mentees in Year 1 became mentors in Year 2. This peer-to-peer approach has significantly enhanced the sense of belonging among students.

Key components of Delta College's mentorship program include:

• A matching survey to pair mentees with appropriate mentors based on their needs and experiences.
• In-person recruitment at campus events to engage potential mentors and mentees, ensuring broader participation.
• Standardized outreach strategies for effective student engagement, fostering connections that promote lasting relationships.

This structured approach not only empowers students but also contributes to a stronger sense of belonging within the college community. Supported by Mentor Collective, Delta College continuously refines its matching algorithms and tailors communication strategies to enhance mentor-mentee relationships. This emphasis on community ensures that students feel supported throughout their academic journeys, ultimately leading to improved retention and success.

It’s about creating pathways for our students to succeed while fostering a sense of belonging within our community. - Shelly Raube, Vice President of Student Empowerment and Success at Delta College

It’s about creating pathways for our students to succeed while fostering a sense of belonging within our community.

- Shelly Raube, Vice President of Student Empowerment and Success, Delta College

Measuring Success

The 2023-2024 mentorship program underwent an extensive evaluation, showcasing outcomes that highlight the success of Delta College's initiatives.

Outcomes:

• Retention Success: Mentees matched with mentors achieved a 91% continuation rate from fall to winter, highlighting the program's effectiveness in fostering academic persistence.
• Improved Retention Rates: There was more than a 6% increase in fall-to-fall retention compared to overall college retention.
• Closing Equity Gaps: The program has contributed to closing racial equity gaps for Black/African American students and Hispanic/Latino student populations.
• Gains in Non-Cognitive Factors: Significant improvements were observed across all students in non-cognitive areas:
  • 19% increase in students reporting a sense of belonging.
  • 19% increase in students likely to seek help.
  • 10% increase in students' academic self-efficacy.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Delta College serves as a model for effective mentorship at two-year colleges, which supports work-based learning and career and technical education. By leveraging both quantitative and qualitative insights, the college fosters vibrant and engaged communities through its targeted mentorship program.

Dedicated to continual improvement, Delta College consistently refines its mentorship initiatives using data-informed insights to reach and support more students throughout their academic journeys. As Shelly Raube, Vice President of Student Empowerment and Success, eloquently states, “It’s about creating pathways for our students to succeed while fostering a sense of belonging within our community.”

Ready to learn more?

If you are ready to unlock student success at your organization, connect with Mentor Collective for a personalized demo and consultation today.

Together, we can illuminate the path for every learner and empower them to thrive in their careers.

We invite you to join us.