What is Student Success 2020?
Inspired by the goals set forth by President Obama in the American Graduation Initiative—

• “By 2020, this nation will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.” . . .
• ". . . We seek to help an additional 5 million Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next decade” from community colleges—

And fueled by the existing and future needs of our country for skilled workers in today’s knowledge-based society and economy, which adds further urgency to our goals... Anne Arundel Community College responds with Student Success 2020.

Student Success 2020 at AACC
On December 1, 2009 in an event that included students, faculty, staff and friends from the community, AACC President Martha Smith, Ph.D. announced plans to help more of its students be more successful in reaching their educational goals – including doubling the number of degrees, certificates and workforce credentials earned by AACC students by the year 2020. Included in the announcement was a commitment to:

• Help all students identify meaningful educational goals;
• Build systems and programs to track, monitor and support students; progress in achieving their goals;
• Involve faculty and staff in examining current practices to identify potential vulnerabilities to students’ completing their goals; and
• Make changes necessary to increase students’ success.

Hear from our students who responded to the president's challenge in AACC's student success video and access additional information in the media kit issued that day.

Since December, AACC has been actively engaged in meeting the goals set forward by Dr. Smith. Enrollment is up and faculty and staff are doing everything possible to help students meet their educational objectives including the completion of associate degrees, certificates, letters of recognition and continuing education certificates.

AACC Student Invited to Sit with First Lady Michelle Obama
On Sept 8, 2011 Marlena Clark was seated in the First Lady's box at President Obama's address to both houses of Congress. Dr. Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, learned about our outstanding programs when she visited Anne Arundel Community College last year. Watch Marlena's interview at the White House on YouTube!

Dr. Jill Biden Visits AACC
On September 15, 2010, Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter visited AACC a pastry course and held a roundtable discussion with students and faculty about student success at community colleges. Learn more about Dr. Biden's visit.

AACC Participates in White House Summit
On October 5, 2010 the White House hosted the first ever White House Summit on Community Colleges, chaired by Dr. Jill Biden. The event brought together community colleges, business, philanthropy, federal and state policy leaders, and students to discuss how community colleges can better meet the nations' job training and education needs.

AACC was pleased to have both a faculty member professor Jen Lara and student Catherine Cornish participate in the event. Read Lara’s reflections ^PDF about participating and see their photos from the White House. Both Lara and Cornish participated in the student roundtable during Dr. Jill Biden and Undersecretary Martha Kanter’s visit to AACC. See photos from that day.