We are thrilled to announce that Ithaka S+R in partnership with the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Library has launched our new, national College Fluency Survey. This survey is a part of a comprehensive, two-and-a-half-year initiative funded by IMLS aimed at understanding how institutions can better support a critical aspect of student success: college fluency—or the knowledge and abilities that enable students to effectively access, utilize, and advocate for needed college services and resources. Through this project we hope to document how students navigate the complex bureaucratic landscape of higher education and find opportunities to strengthen collaboration between libraries and student affairs to enhance college fluency.

Today, we have invited approximately 5,000 community, junior, and technical college leaders, faculty, librarians, academic advisors, counselors, and other staff members to complete the survey. Drawing on insights from our case studies and input from our team of project advisors, the survey explores institutional commitment to holistic student support, potential challenges to providing support, collaboration between units, approaches to data collection, and other key topics.

The insights gleaned from this survey will support the development of actionable recommendations, workshops, and webinars for librarians to enhance college fluency initiatives and foster collaboration between departments to promote student success and address holistic student needs. This information will be foundational for new professional development initiatives designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of librarians’ college fluency to better support the development of fluency across their student body. These efforts can assist us in creating coordinated strategies to support students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring their success in navigating the complexities of higher education.

Please look out for an email in your inbox if you have been randomly selected to participate in our College Fluency Survey. Join us in this important endeavor to enhance student success and promote equitable access to higher education. If you have any questions, please contact us at collegefluency-survey@ithaka.org.

 

The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.