Student Success @ RCC


About the Program:

The centerpiece of Student Success @ RCC is its integrated coaching model. The vision for Student Success @ RCC is realized through three complementary yet distinct projects: Roxbury Scholars, the ESOL Pathway, and the Brotherhood. Roxbury Scholars, the biggest bucket project under the SUCCESS umbrella, automatically enrolls students who could benefit from increased attention and resources to matriculate to graduation. These students work with Success Coaches to develop a Success plan to overcome obstacles and barriers in achieving academic and professional goals. RCC’s second project, ESOL Pathway, supports English Language Learners through specialized tutoring, peer mentoring, supported discussions, and career exploration. The Brotherhood offers an enriching and supportive learning community for men of color to foster personal growth, leadership, and career development.


Students who meet certain academic criteria are automatically enrolled in SUCCESS. SUCCESS conducts outreach to these students, who will meet with their coach beginning in the Fall or Spring semester to create a plan for measurable academic advancement at RCC. Students are also encouraged to join SUCCESS through targeted outreach that follows a hybrid approach. Eligible students may reach out directly for more information and to request a meeting with a member of the SUCCESS team, at which point they will be enrolled in SUCCESS. Recruitment events are also held for other students who could benefit from SUCCESS services. All SUCCESS students at RCC are supported by the program until they earn their certificate or degree. By design, students are aware that they are receiving services through SUCCESS. Other units that support SUCCESS at RCC include financial aid, academic advising, career services, accessibility services, admissions, and academic and non-academic resources.

Student Eligibility

Students who are eligible for the SUCCESS program at RCC include:

  • First-time students & continuing students
  • Full-time students & part-time students
  • Students with developmental needs in English and mathematics
  • English language learners
  • Continuing students with cumulative GPAs below a 3.0; First-time students with lower placement scores

Cohort Focus Population

In line with the legislative intent to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable student populations, the following student populations are actively recruited for SUCCESS at RCC:

  • Economically disadvantaged students
  • First-generation college students
  • Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (i.e., particularly Men of Color)
  • Students with disabilities
  • LGBTQIA+ students

Support Services

The following supports are available to SUCCESS students at RCC:

Success Planning

Academic Advising

Career Exploration

Transfer Advising

Scholarship Advising

Case Management

Skill Building Workshops

Community Events

Publications

Discussion Groups

Mentoring

Assessments

Tutoring/study groups

Community Building Workshops

Affinity Groups

Learning Communities

Field trips to 4yr schools

Summer Bridge Programs

Coaching

Professional Development Workshops

Classroom Push-ins & Embedded Tutoring

Support Network

SUCCESS at RCC is staffed by four Success Coaches and a Director and works in collaboration with five Academic Counselors. Roxbury Scholars, The Brotherhood, and ESOL Pathway students receive unique supports that cater to their initiatives’ and cohorts’ specific needs. For example, Roxbury Scholars are offered non-academic support services through Project Access to connect them to community support services such as housing, food assistance, T-Passes, mental health counseling agencies, and childcare as well as access to an on-campus food pantry.


SUCCESS receives funding through the Massachusetts legislature and is supported by the 15 state community colleges, the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC), the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE), and the SUCCESS Leadership and Coordinating Committees.