Search | Menu Removing barriers to help students thrive
Around half of Madison College students report mental health concerns as they juggle life and school responsibilities. One of the college’s solutions to support students' well-being and help them stay in the classroom and complete school is showing positive results.
Students using BetterMynd report high levels of satisfaction.
Data shows that students who use the resource are more likely to complete their credits, stay enrolled for the next semester, and retain their student enrollment compared to the overall student population, according to Geraldo VilaCruz, Dean of Students Office & Student Development Services.
"We're very excited about the success we're seeing, and this is letting us know that, in addition to other factors, providing this kind of support is going to help our students achieve academic success," VilaCruz says.
These successful Madison College strategies aim to remove historic barriers to college access and student success, focusing on reviewing and updating systems, policies, and practices ensuring equity.
Undoing barriers
Students are finding more opportunities in the Health Science programs thanks to an initiative to eliminate barriers to access.
When testing requirements were removed from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program in the fall of 2023, enrollment of students of color increased by 27% that fall and by 40% in 2024, according to early reporting data.
"By removing testing barriers, we're not just increasing access, we're also broadening the diversity of students entering our Health Sciences program pipeline," says Darcy Willis, Dean of Health Sciences. “Our goal is clear: making entry into high-demand health programs more equitable without compromising student success.”
Using technology to elevate equity
This fall, Madison College students are using D2L's Brightspace, a new learning management system that aligns with students' needs for accessibility, mobile responsiveness and 24/7 support.
Whether it's on a tablet, smartphone, or computer, students have access to learning on their own schedule, says Cory Chrisinger, Vice President of Technology Services.
"The No. 1 thing that our students want is mobile responsiveness," Chrisinger says. “They want access to their information. Even if it's 3 in the morning, students need to do their homework whenever, and so it's really important that they can get help when they need it.”
Finding ways to eliminate barriers for student success is part of the college's comprehensive approach to addressing their needs inside and outside the classroom, says Shawna Carter, Human and Protective Services Academic Manager.
"We listen to our students' needs rather than assume we know," Carter says. "Students can be food insecure, or they may have transportation issues, or they may need support with childcare and technology, and those are all things that we have a great commitment to help with.”
