Pathway to Succeed aims to equip students with the fundamental technology skills necessary to navigate the college environment, succeed in their coursework, and engage effectively with their instructors and others in a professional and academic setting. It covers essential software, online platforms and digital communication practices.  By incorporating these technology skills into the first-year experience course, the College seeks to reduce technological barriers to support student success in an increasingly digital learning space, which may be especially critical to non-traditional students (Duggan and Williams, 2010).

• Technology skills
  • LMS Tutorial
  • Email and Netiquette
  • Accessing E-texts
  • Word Processing tools

Pathway to Understand directly addresses the need for students to grasp the implicit expectations of college life, a gap also noted in Rowan-Cabarrus student and faculty surveys (see Appendix B QEP Topic Selection Survey Results). This unit will provide a clear understanding of classroom dynamics, including faculty expectations for attendance and participation, principles of academic integrity, and crucial grading policies. Simultaneously, students will gain vital knowledge about the college’s broader operational landscape, encompassing administrative processes, educational credential pathways and available financial support and financial literacy tools (Hagadorn and Lahousse, 2019), ensuring they can navigate their educational journey effectively.

• Classroom Knowledge and Policies
  • faculty expectations (attendance, grading, classroom behavior)
  • academic integrity
• Campus Knowledge and Policies
  • registration process and types of classes (online, blended, hybrid, hy-flex)
  • types of degrees/certificates/awards (transfer vs. terminal)
  • graduation requirements and academic standing
  • role of academic advisors and faculty mentors
  • financial aid types (scholarships, loans, grants) and financial literacy tools

Pathway to Belong a new addition to the ACA-122 course, is designed to actively foster a sense of belonging and institutional attachment among first-year students by facilitating meaningful social and academic integration. It provides structured opportunities for students to connect with various facets of campus life and resources, including their peers and student leaders within the college community (Panek and Johnson, 2022; Suditu and Safta, 2023). The module also focuses on dispelling anxiety and easing apprehension around faculty interaction and encourages students to build professional relationships with their instructors and faculty mentors, crucial for their academic support (Duggan and Williams, 2010).

• Campus Connections
  • clubs and organizations
  • events calendar
  • student ambassador/SGA video
  • campus tour
  • connecting with peers (group activity) and faculty

Pathway to Learn is dedicated to equipping first-year students with essential academic skills and effective study strategies, empowering them to become more efficient, independent and successful learners. It focuses on practical techniques for managing coursework, improving comprehension and navigating academic challenges. This is achieved through instruction and practice in time management, note-taking and test preparation, as well as guidance on how to effectively interpret and apply feedback from instructors, recognizing this as a crucial tool for learning and improvement rather than solely a judgment of performance (Hatch-Tocaimaza, et al., 2021; Holton, 2022; Karp, et al., 2012; Kelly, et al., 2022),.

• Study Skills
  • time management, study schedule, test-taking and preparation
  • note-taking and reviewing notes before class
  • study groups and academic assistance (tutoring, library)
  • getting the most out of class discussions
  • receiving and implementing feedback

Pathway to Transfer is specifically designed to support community college students who aspire to transfer to a four-year institution. It provides comprehensive guidance on the transfer process, equipping students with the knowledge, resources, and skills necessary to navigate the transition successfully and efficiently (Duggan & Williams, 2010; Hatch-Tocaimaza, et al., 2021). Crucially, the knowledge gained in this module also serves as valuable long-term planning capital for students pursuing terminal certificates or diplomas, providing a foundational understanding of higher education pathways that could be instrumental for future job promotions or career shifts requiring further education.

Transfer 101

• Transfer Process (Guides, Applications, Deadlines, Transcript Requests, Scholarship Info)
• N.C. Articulation Agreements (CAA, IUAA, UAA, Local Agreements) and Appeals Process
• Universal General Education Transfer Component Courses (UGETC)
• Transfer Assured Admissions Policy (TAAP)
• College Application and Essay Writing

Pathway to Your Future provides students with foundational career knowledge while developing essential planning skills for long-term goal setting and attainment. ACA-122 students will connect their academic pursuits with professional aspirations through proactive career exploration and strategic goal setting with the objective of increasing their motivation, engagement, and likelihood of successful college completion, leading to meaningful employment (Holton, 2022; Karp, 2013). Students will complete the aforementioned “integrated academic/labor market exploration project or activity” as a summative assessment at the end of the module (Karp, 2013, p. 22).

• Career Knowledge
  • career exploration (required education, outlook, salary – specific to NC)
  • resume and cover lettering writing
  • internships, work-based learning
• Goal Setting and Planning
  • steps to achieving
  • Final Project – creating an individualized career profile plan