NCTC presents student success model at national conference

GAINESVILLE, Texas — Two North Central Texas College administrators took the stage at the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Annual Conference to share how the college's cross-departmental approach is improving student retention and completion rates. Amy Klohn, NCTC's Director of Career & Academic Pathways, and Shannon Solomon, Manager of Career Services, presented their session titled "From Collaboration to Completion: Practical Strategies for Student Success" before an audience of higher education professionals. Klohn described how partnerships between NCTC's academic programs and student support offices allow the college to reach a broad population. By aligning academic pathways with career services, the institution has built a system designed to support students from enrollment through completion. Solomon highlighted the role of Career Services in extending those efforts. Through one-on-one career coaching, Pathways to Professionalism classroom presentations, and platforms for career exploration, job readiness, and resume development, her team connects with students across programs and course formats. "These tools and services allow Career Services to connect with a wide variety of students across programs and modalities, while embedding career readiness directly into the student experience," Solomon said. The presentation drew on strategies NCTC has developed to address persistence and completion — two metrics that community colleges nationwide are working to improve. By making career readiness a built-in part of the academic experience rather than an optional add-on, NCTC aims to ensure students finish their programs and move into the workforce or further education. North Central Texas College serves students from Cooke County and surrounding areas with campuses in Gainesville, Corinth, and Flower Mound. For more information about Career Services and academic pathways, visit nctc.edu.