Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention

PCC Cascade START Lab

A "High-Tech, High-Touch" Approach to New Student Orientation

Roberto B. Suarez

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jcotr.v19i2.2792

Keywords: Cascade Campus of Portland Community College, enrollment, demographic, limitation, Tinto, model of student departure, principles, online, program, START Lab

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Abstract

In Summer 2009, a new model for student orientation was proposed and deployed as a pilot program at the Cascade Camus of Portland Community College. Traditional orientation models such as in-person sessions and online presentations had nto be fully effective in meeting the needs of new students coming to Cascade. The Student Training, Advising, Registration, and Troubleshooting (START) Lab sought to reconcile these problems by merging the best aspects of the in-person and online orientation models in order to provide a more comprehensive and flexible orientation experience. This article describes the START Lab pilot program and presents evidence from literature and research to support the model. Current and future assessment protocols are discussed and initial impressions of the pilot program shared. Lastly, suggestions for future development are considered.