Bellevue College has implemented a range of initiatives aligned with Achieving the Dream to improve student access, retention, and completion. These efforts reflect the College’s commitment to equity-centered, evidence-based practices that strengthen the student experience from entry through completion.
The initiatives highlighted below represent completed or well-established work that continues to shape how students are supported across the College.
Bellevue College launched Early Alert through a collaborative effort between faculty and Student Affairs to create a coordinated academic intervention program for students demonstrating early academic distress. Faculty submit alerts when concerns arise, allowing student support teams to provide timely outreach and connect students with appropriate resources.
Peer educators in Student Success & Retention lead the majority of outreach, with additional support from programs such as TRIO and Workforce Education, ensuring students receive personalized and responsive assistance.
Bellevue College hosts Exploring Pathways events that support students in understanding academic programs, career options, and next steps. These events bring together students, faculty, staff, and community partners to engage in guided conversations and interactive experiences focused on exploration and informed decision-making.
Strong attendance from students, employees, and community partners reflects the value of these events in helping students clarify their goals and navigate available pathways.
Bellevue College launched a First-Year Seminar designed to support new students in building academic skills, navigating college systems, and connecting with campus resources. The course emphasizes early engagement, confidence-building, and strategies that support long-term persistence.
First-Year Seminar is part of the College’s broader effort to create a strong foundation for student success during the critical first term.
Bellevue College implemented English Guided Self-Placement to replace high-stakes placement testing with a more equitable, student-centered approach. Through Guided Self-Placement, students review course expectations, sample assignments, and self-reflect on their readiness before selecting the writing course that best aligns with their skills and goals.
This practice supports more accurate placement, reduces barriers to entry, and empowers students to make informed decisions about their learning.
Bellevue College continues to build on these accomplishments through ongoing work focused on advising redesign, course modality planning, and institutional learning outcomes.